‘Operation Purple’ summer camp registration begins April 15

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WASHINGTON (AFPN) --  Registration for “Operation Purple” summer camps for children of deployed servicemembers begins April 15 on the National Military Family Association’s Web site, program officials announced April 7.

The 22 Operation Purple camps provide summer camp experiences for more than 2,000 children whose parents are deployed in the U.S. armed forces. The camps are funded through a $100 million commercial commitment aimed at strengthening families, homes and communities, officials said. The funding allows children to attend the camps free of charge.

Association officials said Operation Purple is the only summer camp program that focuses on helping children deal with deployment-related issues, and it is open to children of servicemembers from all branches of the U.S. armed forces.

Applications will be available online April 15 through May 15 at www.nmfa.org/site/PageServer.

The association developed Operation Purple camps in 2004 in response to the need for increased support services benefiting children of servicemembers, especially those whose parents are or will be deployed, officials said.

In 2004, they conducted 12 camps, reaching nearly 1,000 children. This year, the program has expanded to more than 2,000 children. Officials estimate that more than 135,000 children are experiencing the absence of a parent because of a deployment to Iraq or Afghanistan, and still others have a parent deployed elsewhere.

“Operation Purple summer camps fulfill a critical need in the military community,” said Candace Wheeler, the association’s chief executive officer. “We have been overwhelmed by the messages of support and gratitude we’ve received from children, parents, the Department of Defense, the National Guard Bureau and members of Congress. We are thrilled to be able to expand the program this year.”

The camps, which last five to seven days, give children ages 8 to 18 an exciting and memorable camp experience, providing tools to help them deal with the stress resulting from a parent’s deployment, officials said.

Program officials said military children are encouraged to apply for the camp located nearest their home. More than 30 weeks of Operation Purple camps are offered in 18 states, three international locations and in Guam. They are in Alaska, California, Colorado, Florida, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Louisiana, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Texas, Utah, Germany, Italy and Japan. A list of camp dates, sites and other information is available on association’s Web site. (Courtesy of American Forces Press Service)