Operation Purple at Camp Bob - Kanuga

The National Military Family Association recently announced that Camp Bob at Kanuga Conferences in Hendersonville, N.C., was chosen to host their popular Operation Purple summer camp in 2011. The Association developed this free summer camp program to support military children in dealing with the stress of war. "Our mission is to empower these military children - our youngest heroes - to develop and maintain healthy and connected relationships, in spite of the current military environment. Kids attending Operation Purple camp will have the opportunity to learn the skills to cope the stress of a deployment and make friends with other kids who are also missing their mom or dad," said Mary Scott, the Association's Chairman of the Board. "The National Military Family Association is excited to work with Camp Bob on this very worthwhile program." The Operation Purple session at Camp Bob will be held July 3-8 and can accommodate 130 campers ages 8-16. It is the only camp of its kind offered in Western North Carolina this year.

"I'm very excited that Operation Purple is returning for a fourth summer," said Gary Woodhurst, Camp Bob program director. "It's one of the most energetic weeks of the year. The campers really benefit from being in community with other children in similar circumstances. It's a well-deserved break from the stresses of having a parent at war and a chance for them to simply be a kid."

Campers may apply for Operation Purple from March 31 through April 29, 2011.

Applications will be accepted online only at www.militaryfamily.org/op.

Each camp is "purple" and open to children of active duty, National Guard or Reserve service members from the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, or the Commissioned Corps of the US Public Health Service and NOAA. Camps are free to all participants thanks to support from Goldman Sachs Gives, the Sierra Club and The Sierra Club Foundation.


About Camp Bob: Camp Bob is an outreach program of Kanuga Conferences, a 1,400-acre camp and conference center affiliated with the Episcopal Church and open to all. Campers will stay in cabins with solar thermal hot water systems and enjoy traditional camp activities including hiking, swimming, rock climbing, canoeing, archery and arts and crafts. Camp Bob has hosted Operation Purple camps since 2008. To learn more, visit: http://www.kanuga.org/


About the National Military Family Association: Military families serve our country with pride, honor and quiet dedication. The National Military Family Association is the leading nonprofit organization committed to strengthening and protecting the families of the men and women currently serving,retired, wounded or fallen. It provides families of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Coast Guard and Commissioned Corps of the USPHS and NOAA with information, work to get them the benefits they deserve and offer programs that improve their lives. The Association's 40 years of service and accomplishments have made it a trusted resource for military families and the nation's leaders. To learn more, visit: http://www.militaryfamily.org/