S8 E5: Explore, Learn & Save This Summer: Inside the Blue Star Museums Program with Vicky Perkins

Show Notes

Summer is the perfect time for military families to explore new places, create lasting memories, and reconnect—but those adventures can quickly become expensive.

In this episode of Our Navy Life, host Teal Yost is joined by fellow Navy spouse Vicky Perkins, Vice President of Programs at Blue Star Families, for a conversation about one of the military community's most beloved summer benefits: Blue Star Museums.

Together, they discuss how the program provides eligible military families with free admission to more than 2,000 museums across the country each summer, making it easier to experience everything from children's museums and aquariums to science centers, art museums, and historic sites. Vicky also shares her own military spouse journey, discusses the broader mission of Blue Star Families, and explains why museums play such an important role in helping military families connect with the communities they call home.

Whether you're staying close to home this summer, traveling on leave, or settling into a new duty station, this episode will inspire you to discover affordable adventures wherever military life takes you.

Key Topics & Highlights

Inside Blue Star Families

Learn more about the mission of Blue Star Families and the many programs the organization offers to support service members, spouses, caregivers, and children. Vicky also shares how feedback from military families helps shape programs that address real community needs.

What is Blue Star Museums?

Discover how the Blue Star Museums program works, who is eligible, and why more than 2,000 museums nationwide participate each summer. From world-class art museums to local history museums and children's discovery centers, there's something for every family to enjoy.

Making the Most of Summer

Whether you're PCSing, vacationing, or spending the summer at your current duty station, Vicky explains why Blue Star Museums is more than just a financial benefit—it's an opportunity to explore new communities, encourage lifelong learning, and make meaningful family memories.

Why Museums Matter

Military families are constantly adapting to new places. Teal and Vicky discuss how museums can help children feel connected to their communities, inspire curiosity, and provide enriching experiences that the whole family can enjoy together.

Resources & Links

If this episode inspired your next family adventure, share it with a fellow military spouse, service member, or military family looking for affordable ways to explore this summer.

From our Navy family to yours—happy exploring, and we'll see you next time on Our Navy Life.

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