Operation Purple Camp

For those of you who are military--have you ever heard of Operation Purple Camp? It is a really amazing opportunity that is available for our children!! The National Military Family Association and the Sierra Club have created a partnership that involves camps in almost every state of the country. It provides military children a chance to go to camp for a week--and its free.

Last year, one of the camps was held on Catalina Island. A camera crew followed a few of the kids around and also intereviewed their families. They made a documentary called Red, White, and Green. They did a REALLY good job. The movie shares what the kids are thinking and feeling, as well as explains why the NMFA and Sierra Club do this for us.

The boys and I got to join some friends at the premiere of the movie a few weeks ago at Camp Pendleton. It was awesome! I have known about OPC for a while, and have wanted N to attend, but he has completely refused...10 minutes into the movie, he leaned over and said "Mom--I want to GO TO THAT!!"

It was really interesting how they talked about the kids having a chance to let their guards down a little. Even the kids who didn't really think they had much "issue" with a parent being deployed said that they felt a sense of relief when the got to camp. Everyone understands what you are feeling. You don't have to "protect" your at home parent from your tears or worries. You don't have to "take care of" younger siblings, you can cry, laugh, get really mad, act really silly, etc. And, everyone around you totally gets it. At one point, a girl is talking about her dad, and she starts to cry. She is a little embarrassed, because she's just met all these kids, and another girl just puts her arm around her and puts her head on her shoulder.

The people involved (camp organizers, Sierra Club, NMFA, etc.) were also included in the video. They were awesome! You could really tell that they so LOVE these kids and really want to show them how grateful the nation is for THEIR service. The lady that talks to them at the beginning of the week (Patty Barron of NMFA) tells them that the country knows how much they sacrifice and how they serve as well...and camp is a way to thank them.

I do feel like Americans appreciate our service (family members') but I don't know if that ever gets translated to the kids, so that they can FEEL that appreciation. Kind of like breakfast the other day, this is a tangible way for the kids to understand that THEY are special, different, and important.

At one point, someone (I think Patty) says "military kids live in your community. Get to know them. They look like normal kids, they act like normal kids, they play like normal kids, but they carry an extraordinary burden." (Of course, at that point, I immediately started to cry!)

N has never been away from me for a long time before (he stayed in Texas last year for a few extra days, but he was with family) and it is making me very nervous. The video made me much more comfortable, because you could feel how much all of the people involved REALLY cared about the kids and wanted them to have a good experience. They have put a lot of thought and planning into everything that goes into the camp week, so I know they will take good care of him. I don't think I would be ready for him to go to a sleep over camp if it was for scouts, or even church, but this situation seems like it will be very good for him.

The process is that you apply for a camp (you can only apply for one, and it should be in your state) and from those applications, children are selected based on things like whether their parent is currently deployed, about to deploy, etc. (They don't have to be deployed to be accepted!) Then you get notified in May if you get a spot. (It isn't first come first served) I know I'm not giving you a lot of time, but if you want to apply, you still have a few days. The deadline is April 20th--that is only a week away. I didn't give you much notice, but there is still time!! You can go to operationpurple.org and click on camp locations. The website also gives more information about the camps. You can also see a little promo for the video.

Another thing--I would highly recommend this video for teachers, counselors, principals, and other adults that interact with military kids, particularly if they are in a "civilian" school. I gave it to the counselor at our kids' school, and it gave her a lot of insight into not just what the kids are experiencing, but how they are processing it and how the feel about it. Since we have been with the military for so long, we assume that some stuff is just understood, but it is amazing how much of it is completely FOREIGN ideas to civilian people who don't have a lot of exposure to military families. Or even those who do interact with us a lot, but aren't directly affected by the military. If you want a copy of the video, contact NMFA.

Here is a picture of us at the premiere. They had a red carpet and everything!! (I'm not sure why my teeth look so weird--reflections off the braces??)