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Registration starts for free summer camps

Military families can register their children starting March 24 for the National Military Family Association’s free Operation Purple camp program this summer. Registration ends May 5.

One hundred weeks of free camps will be offered at 64 locations in 36 states and territories, nearly double the number of camps offered last year.

NMFA developed the camp program in 2004 to help children deal with the stress of war, teach them skills for dealing with their feelings and let them share some carefree fun with other military kids. Any child can apply, but priority goes to kids who have a parent, guardian or other household member deployed at some point between May 2007 and September 2008.

Each camp is “purple” — open to children of any member of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Coast Guard, the National Guard and reserves, and the commissioned corps of the Public Health Service and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Families should apply at the camp closest to their home because transportation costs are not provided. The age range of camps and activities vary from one location to another.

The nonprofit NMFA is also working on additional initiatives for children.

Camps will be offered this year in: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin and the Virgin Islands.

The camps are free through NMFA’s partnership with the Sierra Club and the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation.