The National Military Family Association has announced the locations of this summer’s Operation Purple summer camps. The program, now its seventh summer, was developed by NMFA to support military children dealing with the stresses of war. This summer the camps will host children at 68 locations across 32 states and two overseas locations in Germany and Guam. Individual camp information will be made available when registration begins March 15.

Established in 2004, the mission of the Operation Purple program is to empower military children and their families to develop and maintain healthy and connected relationships, in spite of the current military environment. This mission is accomplished through a variety of means, including the healing and holistic aspect of the natural world. The program is joint or “purple”—encompassing all Service branches, including the National Guard and Reserve.

In the 2004 Operation Purple pilot season, the National Military Family Association was able to implement 12 different Operation Purple camps serving close to 1,000 children. Since then the Operation Purple program has grown and expanded and by summer’s end close to 30,000 military children and teens will have been served. The Operation Purple program also includes leadership camps for teens, family retreats at the national parks, and camps geared to address the needs of children and families of our nations wounded service members.

For more information about Operation Purple camps please visit the National Military Family Association Operation Purple web site. There you can learn more about the various offerings and sign up for email alerts about the program.