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Free summer camp for military kids set for Kanuga; May 6 deadline for registration
[Episcopal News Service] The National Military Family Association (NMFA) has chosen Kanuga's Camp Bob to host a free summer camp program called Operation Purple for 100 children ages 8-12 whose parents are or will be deployed. The camp session is August 4-8 and registration ends Monday, May 6.Due to their popularity, Operation Purple sessions fill up quickly. Applications are accepted online only at http://www.operationpurple.org/.
According to the NMFA website, "The program aims to help military kids experience carefree fun while also learning coping skills to deal with war-related stress and fostering relationships with others who know what they are going through."
Operation Purple began in 2004 and has hosted more than 10,000 children. The camp sessions are open to children of service members of any branch of service, active duty, National Guard or Reserve, as well as children of members of the Commissioned Corps of the Public Health Service and National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration.
"NMFA is excited to work with Camp Bob at Kanuga on this very worthwhile program," said Nancy Alsheimer, NMFA chairman of the board. "Together we can make a difference in the lives of military children. Operation Purple Camps provide a much needed respite from the worries of war that many of our Nation's children face each day their mom or dad is deployed."
Kanuga Conferences is situated on 1,440 mountainous acres outside Hendersonville, North Carolina. Affiliated with the Episcopal Church since 1928, Kanuga welcomes more than 35,000 guests each year.
-- The Rev. Lisa B. Hamilton is Episcopal Life Media Correspondent for Provinces I and IV. She is based in Venice, Florida and Sandisfield, Massachusetts.