Blue Star Stories

Welcome to our blog where you'll find the stories from the lives of our Blue Star Families.

Fortinet Donates $10,000 to Blue Star Families

Securing Futures: How Fortinet and Blue Star Families are Paving the Way for Veterans and Military Spouses in Cybersecurity

September 26, 2024

Cybersecurity has become one of the fastest-growing fields, offering military spouses and Veterans a wealth of new career opportunities and the chance to build successful careers in a rapidly evolving industry. Thanks to targeted training programs from Fortinet, these individuals can now gain the skills and certifications needed to excel in this sector a…

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Blue Star Welcome Week: Coming to a Community Near You!

September 13, 2024

What does feeling welcome look like for you? Is it being greeted at the door by your spouse after a long day of work? Maybe it’s finding a local café where the barista remembers your name and your usual coffee order, or being invited to your neighbor’s barbecue.

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Yosemite National Park mountains, waterfall and terrain

Our Military Family’s Trip to Yosemite National Park

September 12, 2024

As outdoor enthusiasts together with my husband, we have always enjoyed spending time in nature and traveling to new destinations. We used to be the spontaneous couple who took a weekend camping trip on a whim and traveled through Europe with just a backpack.

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Memories from Yellowstone with Military Families Outdoors

September 6, 2024

This summer, as part of the Military Families Outdoors program, hundreds of families were able to experience fun-filled adventures and nature-based activities in our national parks, public lands, and waterways. On a recent extended day excursion to Yellowstone National Park, families hiked around…

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Wilderness Inquiry Partners with Blue Star Families to Expand Outdoor Opportunities for Military Families

September 6, 2024

Wilderness Inquiry is proud to announce our partnership with Blue Star Families and the creation of our Military Families Outdoors program, alongside federal partners including the Defense Health Agency and National Park Service.

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An Unforgettable Evening of Sunset, Sand, and Ghost Crabs!

August 28, 2024

There’s something magical about being by the ocean at sunset, and our recent Blue Star Connect Outdoors event at Ecological Marine Adventures (EMA) was no exception! On May 29th and 30th, military families gathered at Surf City, North Carolina, for an evening of fun, learning, and adventure that will be remembered for years to come.

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Sunset Hike and Nature Adventure: Blue Star Connect Outdoors Hosts Military Families at Eisenhower Park

August 9, 2024

The Blue Star Connect Outdoors team’s dedication to organizing such enriching events ensures that military families have access to memorable experiences that celebrate the beauty of the natural world. San Antonio’s Eisenhower Park served as the picturesque backdrop for a sunset hike with Blue Star Connect Outdoors, where military families gathered for an evening of adventure and learning.

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A military family on an adventure

Embracing New Beginnings: Starting Something New After a PCS Move

August 7, 2024

A PCS move is not just about packing up belongings and finding a new home; it’s about starting over in an unfamiliar place. This transition involves much more than logistical planning; it involves adjusting to a new culture, establishing a new routine, and integrating into a new community. For many families, the thought of starting…

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Blue Star Families members, including military children and adults fishing together during an outdoors experience.

Outdoor Explorers for All: Changing the Game for Military Family Outdoor Adventures

July 8, 2024

by Jillian Johnson In the latest episode of Blue Star Stories, I had the pleasure of chatting with Kailey Brown, the Program Manager for Outdoor Explorers for All at Blue Star Families. Kailey’s passion for connecting military families with the outdoors shines through as she discusses the program’s diverse activities and experiences. Read on for…

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