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State Teen Panel members planning a youth leadership session

Help Guard-connected Youth Feel Seen And Supported

Equipped and celebrated through every season of Guard life.

Guard kids thrive when partners team up—pick the lane that fits you and we’ll follow up fast.

Partner With Us

Boost scholarships, sponsor camps, or lend event space so Guard-connected youth have more chances to gather.

Explore partner lanes

Equip Classrooms

Download lesson kits, book trainings, and connect with Purple Star School tools for your district.

See educator tools

Celebrate Together

Host Purple Up moments, share social graphics, and join statewide Month of the Military Child events.

Plan your celebration

Volunteer Your Time

Match your gifts with roles that welcome campers, ease logistics, and inspire our teens.

Find your fit

Community partners

Lift up more Guard families with your time, space, or sponsorship.

Local businesses, nonprofits, veteran organizations, and universities help us create more opportunities for military youth. Partner support expands scholarships, provides supplies, and opens doors for Guard-connected families across Iowa.

Start a partnership
EveryStep logo

EveryStep

EveryStep provided amazing resources during our annual Iowa Remembers Retreat for military youth who have lost a loved one.

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City Serve (Capitol City Church) logo

City Serve (Capitol City Church)

Capitol City Church assembled a volunteer team to support large-scale events like the Fall Family Festival and Cookies with Santa.

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Pay It Forward Always logo

Pay It Forward Always

Pay It Forward Always enriched summer camp with a legacy-rock painting activity that strengthened community-building efforts.

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USO Iowa logo

USO Iowa

USO supplied creative craft kits and team-building materials that helped youth build connection, creativity, and fun.

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Grand View Christian School logo

Grand View Christian School

Grand View Christian School partners with CYP to provide facility space and support for youth programming.

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Project Food and Fellowship (Iowa Select Farms) logo

Project Food and Fellowship (Iowa Select Farms)

Iowa Select Farms donated take-home activities and meals through Project Food and Fellowship to support military families in Iowa.

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Jester Park Equestrian Center logo

Jester Park Equestrian Center

Jester Park Equestrian Center hosted a free horseback riding camp for over 50 military youth, teaching grooming, saddling, and riding skills.

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BGCA Mission Youth Outreach logo

BGCA Mission Youth Outreach

Boys & Girls Clubs programming tailored to military-connected youth.

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Lead & Learn

Developing the Next Generation

Grab ready-to-use lesson plans, mentor guides, and deployment resources that make it simple to grow confident Guard-connected youth.

Educators

Equip classrooms with ease

We equip schools and youth programs with quick-start lesson plans, deployment awareness toolkits, and staff sessions focused on military-connected students.

  • Staff training on the deployment cycle and student transitions
  • Classroom resilience activities and Purple Up celebration guides
  • Connections to mental health, tutoring, and family readiness resources

Purple Star & Classroom Kits Hub

Find Purple Star milestones, Month of the Military Child classroom kits, talking points, and request forms in one place.

State Teen Panel

Lead with fellow Guard-connected teens

STP is our teen leadership crew for Guard-connected youth ages 13–17. Members plan events, advise decisions, and represent Iowa at regional symposiums.

“The online adventure kits gave our kids something to look forward to when we couldn’t be together in person. It still felt like CYP showed up for us.” Guard parent
  • Lead service projects and mentor younger campers
  • Earn volunteer hours and build leadership experience
  • Connect with teens who understand military life

Month of the Military Child

Celebrate with us each April

Military families with youth are invited to join the statewide celebration of Month of the Military Child (MOMC). We purple up, gather together, and highlight Guard kids whose strength keeps Iowa mission-ready.

Guard-connected youth wearing purple during Month of the Military Child

Celebrate with us

  1. 25

    April 25 · Military Family Ball

    Formal dinner, dancing, and surprises for every age group. Reserve your spot before seats run out.

  2. 10

    April 10 · Purple Up Friday

    Wear purple and share a photo with #IApurpleup to shout out Guard-connected youth statewide.

  3. All

    All April · Share support

    Update your social media profile picture, host hallway displays, and invite Guard families to speak in your classrooms.

Volunteers

Step into a role that matches your strengths

Whether you like organizing supplies or hanging out with campers, there’s a spot for you. Volunteers help with registration, activity stations, travel logistics, and more.

Tell us what you enjoy and when you’re available—we’ll match you with the right role.

“Behind every smile at a CYP event is a volunteer who showed up. You turn ordinary days into memories that remind Guard families they’re not alone.”— Chris Cox, lead program coordinator
Get involved
Volunteer cheering alongside Guard-connected youth during a CYP activity
Prefer to start with a quick question? Email us at iaarngcyp@gmail.com or call your local Soldier & Family Readiness Support Specialist—we’ll point you to the right shift.