Photo Credit: Courtesy of National Military Family Association
We have all read the bumper-sticker plea, “Support Our Troops,” but other than displaying a magnet on your car, how can Americans really show support and concern for service members and their families? One organization is partnering with the national parks to give families a much-needed break from the stress of wartime deployments.
The National Military Family Association developed the Operation Purple Summer Camp program in 2004 with 12 camps for 1,000 military children. In 2010, the program now has 68 camps in 37 states and two overseas locations, and has sent 40,000 military children to summer camp for free. After years of experience with traditional camps, the association has branched out to include a retreat program so the entire family can have the experience. What makes these retreats different? The point isn’t to get away--it’s to come together.
An Awkward Reunion
In 2009, the association created the program based on the idea that military families needed a place to relax and reconnect after long periods of separation due to deployment. While the initial reunion of a military family is filled with joy, it is the months following the reconnection that often strain a family’s relationship. The service member has missed birthdays, holidays, school events and the chance to make memories with the family. But with the retreat program, not only do families get to enjoy time together, but they also have an opportunity to meet other military families going through the same experiences. This camaraderie also shows parents and children that they are not the only ones experiencing the difficult process of reintegration.
