Family Matters Blog: Military Children Can Attend Free Camp

By Elaine Sanchez

American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, March 31, 2011 – Military parents seeking a fun -- and free -- summer camp option for their children should check out the National Military Family Association’s Operation Purple Summer Camp program.

The association developed the camps to support military children ages 7 to 17 dealing with the stressors of war, according to an association news release. Now in its eighth year, the program will host more than 3,500 children during 40 weeks of camp in 25 states, as well as one overseas location this summer.

People can apply for a camp through April 29 at midnight EDT. The camps are open to children of all services, whether active duty, National Guard or Reserve. However, priority will be given to military children with a parent deployed or deploying any time between September 2010 and December 2011 who have not attended an Operation Purple camp in the past.

For more information about the program, or camp locations and dates, visit the association’s website.