Overview of Program
Rocket Kids is a newly-designed experiential learning program housed in the Judith Herb College of Education providing educational development and recreational programming to the United States Army’s children and youth in Europe. Rocket Kids interns are able to participate in a fall, spring or summer term and provide services to our U.S. military youth while experiencing the world in locations such as Germany, Italy, Belgium, and Netherlands! If you are a U.S. citizen enrolled at a U.S. college or university, you may be eligible. Don’t wait; apply today!
Who are Rocket kids?
Rocket Kids interns are U.S. college students, recent graduates, and professionals interested in working with children and serving the people who serve our country, providing services to U.S. military members’ children while experiencing the world.
Join a Rocket Kids program as a semester off, during a gap year, or after graduation.
Where are Rocket Kids Interns Placed?
Rocket Kids interns are placed at U.S. military bases with groups of children based on age: CDCs (Child Development Centers--for infants and children up to preschool age), SACs (School Age Care Centers--for kindergartners through fifth grade), and sixth graders and up. Rocket Kids applicants may request to work with a preferred age group, but the final placement decisions are made by the Rocket Kids administrative team.
2023-2024 Rocket Kids
ROCKET KIDS Locations
In 2023-2024, Rocket Kids interns were placed in nine locations in Europe. As a Rocket Kids applicant, you can request a country, but final placements are made by the Rocket Kids administrative team. Click the countries below to learn more.
Year-Round Opportunities
Rockets Kids programs run year-round. There are five departure dates to suit your schedule.
Program |
Departure Date |
Return Date |
|
Summer |
early June |
mid-August |
|
Fall Session 1 |
mid-August |
mid-October |
|
Fall Session 2 |
mid-October |
mid-December |
|
Spring Session 1 |
early January |
mid-March |
|
Spring Session 2 |
mid-March |
early June |
rocket kids mission
The mission statement of Rocket Kids is Fueling Your Tomorrow." This involves exploring one's creative possibilities and sparking intellectual curiosity.
Rocket Kids will enable college and university students to "fuel their tomorrows" by participating as interns in recreational youth work programs designed to aid in the healthy development of children.
Every student accepted to be a part of Rocket Kids will be enrolled in the Rocket
Kids Staff Development Program. Student placement is contingent upon acceptable completion
of the Rocket Kids Staff Development Program. The Rocket Kids Staff Development Program
will be a transformational learning experience focused on the child and youth development
setting. Students will learn Rocket Kids program values, leadership and program development
skills, and knowledge associated with child and youth development. Students will
gain practical experience in programming and leadership, health and wellness, creative
arts, performing arts, cultural and literary arts and drama, team and individual sports
and athletics, adventure and outdoor recreation, STEM, and character education. Every
student will learn the necessary skills to effectively guide children and youth on
a daily basis. Rocket Kids is an affordable option for an international experience. The cost to participate in the program will vary slightly based on each student, as the program costs are directly related to items each students needs. For example, if a student already has a passport, there is no need to purchase a new passport. The average cost for a student participant is between 1000 and 1500 dollars.
Expenses are approximated below:
$500 Tuition for 12 credit hours (3 hours prior to departure and 9 hours while in the field)
$200 Uniform fees
$25-$100 Fingerprinting and Background Check Process
$160 Travel Insurance
$190 Expedited U.S. Passport
$100 Certification in Adult/Pediatric CPR, First Aid, and AED
Applications will be received through Rocket Kids. Applications will require a cover letter, employment history and relevant experience, and any current certifications (i.e., CPR, First Aid, Mandatory Child Abuse Reporting, student teaching certification), references, and official transcripts. Applicants will be screened to ensure they meet the following criteria:
- must be at least 18 years old
- must have United States citizenship
- must have prior experience (employment or volunteer) working with children in a professional group setting
- must have completed two full-time semesters at a college/university
- must be in good academic standing with a GPA of 2.5 or better (4.0 scale) at a college/university that provides appropriate fields of study (i.e., early childhood education, recreation, youth development, education) or a field of study that relates to, and will achieve, the program’s objectives, have completed undergraduate studies in the area of assigned responsibilities (i.e., early childhood education, sports, recreation, education, recreation therapy, crafts, special education, or social programming), be a recent graduate (within 3 years) with a degree in the aforementioned areas or other related educational experience, or be a graduate student who is in a field of study that relates to, and will achieve, the Rocket Kids program’s goals and objectives
- must be in good standing with home university's student conduct office
- must possess and maintain ability to lift and carry up to 40 lbs., walk, bend, climb, stoop, and stand on a routine basis, both inside and outside, while being exposed to varied weather conditions
Final acceptance is determined based on favorable state, federal and student conduct record checks.
Are you ready to Fuel Your Tomorrow?
Join Rocket Kids!
The steps below are a summary of the process to apply. Once accepted, students will be provided detailed instructions on the paperwork process.
- Interest Form
- Interview
- Application Step 1
- Apply as a guest to UToledo (if not a UToledo student)
- Paperwork Step 2
- Background Check Process
- Paperwork Step 3
- Build your resume
- Gain experience with children and youth
- Engage in a variety of cultural experiences in other countries
- Housing, travel and living stipend provided
- Earn college credit
- Network with one of the largest employers, United States Military
- Serve the families of United States Military
MY experience
Emma Swanbeck
Businesss Administration, The University of Toledo
I’ve been obsessed with Europe since I was a kid, the Eiffel Tower, The Austrian National Library, everything about Europe. Sometimes life and your dreams don’t align perfectly; it takes money, planning, and time that you may not have. Rocket Kids might be the only chance for me to see all Europe has to offer. I spent a little under three months traveling, teaching, learning, and growing. I’ll never forget this experience no matter where life takes me. Take the chance, you could be missing out of the adventure of a lifetime.
Esparenza Hallauer
Adolescent and Young Adult Education, The University of Toledo
Being able to travel and explore Italy and its culture was truly an amazing experience. Rocket Kids allowed me to not only travel places I may have never gotten to visit in my lifetime, but also allowed me to do what I love working with kids. The relationships I got to build, the memories I created, the children I got to know and love truly have changed my life for the better. I got to live in Italy for 3 months indulging in everything Italy and the military life had to offer. Rocket Kids not only gave me 3 months of core memories, but also gave me a huge résumé booster that I get asked about in every job interview. If I could give any advice, take a leap of faith. This program will change your life and the way you view the world forever in the best ways.
Hannah Post
Master of Education, Curriculum and Instruction
Rocket Kids has single handedly changed my life. This spans from academic knowledge, educational experience, to cultural awareness. This program has challenged me as a future educator and as an individual in ways that I never knew were possible. Rocket Kids is a program that allows ample amounts of growth, development and discovery in those areas through working with the children in the centers all the way to being humbled by Germans on public transportation trying to get to your favorite destination. I was able to learn new ways to connect with children and support them through their specific needs, while also learning the same aspects of relationship development with my peers! Through this program I have been able to learn and see so many new things about the world and about myself that I will hold onto for a lifetime!
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