Military Kids Go to Summer Camp

While service members are defending the country in distant locations, especially where there’s a war going on, military families must to stay behind. Of course, this takes a toll on all members of the family, including children. At military camps across the nation, the children of these personnel are learning how to cope with a parent in the armed forces. What the Camp Is Like for Military Kids Started in 2004, “Operation Purple” is a pilot program initiated by the National Military Family Association (NMFA). With 34 sites across the country in 26 states, the free camp hosted nearly 4,000 children this summer alone, thanks in part to generous sponsors like the Sierra Club and the Michael and Susan Dell Foundation. The camp offers the usual summer fare, with outdoor activities like kayaking and hiking. Unlike other summer camps, however, it gives kids a chance to bond with other children who have a parent in the military. It also gives the parents some reprieve during the summer months while the spouse is deployed. Kids get to talk to veterans about their experiences, as well as have interactive experiences with the same equipment their parents handle, such as being in a helicopter. There are also service projects for military personnel, such as posters for injured veterans. How Kids Are Affected by Parents in the Military What the camp offers that truly makes it special concerns the manner in which it deals with the issues military children face. An estimated 155,000 children have deployed parents in Iraq and Afghanistan, which creates tremendous pressure at home. Many find that these kids have to deal with higher levels of stress because they are separated from their parents. By providing counseling and allowing these kids to interact with one another, the children are able to express their fears and anxieties freely, which is something they may not be able to do at school. Essentially, the message is that “kids serve, too,” making them feel as important as their decorated military parents. Comments (0) Show/Hide comments Write comment Show/Hide comment form Name Email Website Title Comment Add Comment