Armed Services YMCA Operation Outdoors

by: Rear Adm. (Ret.) Frank Gallo
National Executive Director, ASYMCA

April 23, 2010 - Tens of thousands of U.S. service men and women have deployed overseas to Afghanistan and Iraq, and it is their families at home — particularly the children — that have experienced the anxiety and bewilderment of deployment. The Armed Services YMCA (ASYMCA) Operation Outdoors camp program provides an opportunity for these children to take a break from their everyday worries. The unique atmosphere of the camp provides an opportunity for military kids to meet and have fun with each other and build a support network of friends going through the same experience. Children are also able to take advantage of outdoor activities that will help foster leadership and teamwork skills, and boost their self-esteem.

The ASYMCA Operation Outdoors video shows families enjoying a unique three-day outdoor experience at Rock Springs Ranch for children with physical and developmental disabilities and SED (serious emotional disturbance). This special camp experience is part of a national initiative available to military children and families across the country.

ASYMCA launched the camp program in the summer of 2007 for children of junior enlisted military personnel and their families, thanks to a $400,000 grant from the California Community Foundation’s Iraq-Afghanistan Deployment Impact Fund. Then, in 2008, the Sierra Club donated $1.5 million to be used over the next three years in support of a resident camping experience for military children. Because of the grant from the Sierra Club, the program has expanded to include more than 35 locations throughout the country since its inception. Since 2007, the ASYMCA has sent more than 8,150 children to resident camp, more than 3,400 children to day camp and more than 2,000 adults to resident camp.