Free Summer Camps for Military Children
Operation Purple Summer Camp – Information
· In 2004, the Operation Purple program was created as a way to help military children struggling with the stresses of war.
· These free, week-long, overnight camps are open to all military children ages 7-17.
· In 2009, Operation Purple will host nearly 90 weeks of camp held in 62 locations in 37 states and territories. Camps are free to all participants thanks to support from the Sierra Club and The Sierra Club Foundation.
o To register for camp: Military families can register for camp online at www.OperationPurple.org (registration opened-up on March 16)
· Each camp is joint and “purple” – encompassing all Service branches (active and Reserve Component), and Reserve, United States Public Health Service and National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration.
· The Operation Purple Summer Camp program aims to help military kids experience carefree fun while also learning coping skills to deal with deployment-related stress and fostering relationships with other children who know what they are going through. Operation Purple camp allows kids to gain confidence by learning to be stewards of the community and of the environment.
· Since Operation Purple camp’s implementation, the National Military Family Association has sent more than 20,000 military kids to camp for free.
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Aida Rosado
BMWK Partners
