“Operation Purple® Camps provide a much needed respite from the worries of war that many of our Nation’s children face each day their mom or dad is deployed. NMFA is excited to work with Pioneer Camp on this very worthwhile program,” said Nancy Alsheimer, NMFA Chairman of the Board. “Together we can make a difference in the lives of military children.”

Pioneer Camp is hosting two weeks of Operation Purple® Camp: 
June 22 – 27, 2008 and July 27 – August 1, 2008 for children ages 8 – 14.  In addition to general camp activities and recreation: swimming, canoeing, crafts, large group games, and campfires, Pioneer Camp will recreate “desert camp” conditions utilizing their beach frontage, so that children will have the opportunity to experience many of the same elements their parent(s) experience while deployed. Other planned activities include sleeping out in tents and eating MRE’s (Meals Ready to Eat) on the beach, practicing orienteering (using map reading and compass skills to navigate in the physical world), and learning leadership and team building skills on Pioneer Camp’s low ropes challenge course. 

Registration for Operation Purple® Camp begins March 24, 2008.  Applications will only be accepted online at www.operationpurple.org.  Each camp is “purple” and open to children of service members of any branch of Service, active duty, National Guard or Reserve, as well as children of members of the Commissioned Corps of the Public Health Service and National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration.  Register early – space is limited.  Pioneer Camp is the only camp in Western New York offering Operation Purple® Camp and will serve children in New York, Pennsylvania, and Ohio. 

Camps are free to all eligible children thanks to a partnership with the Sierra Club Foundation and support from the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation.

In this, their fifth year of operation, Operation Purple® Camps will host children at 62 locations in 37 states and territories.  10,000 children will have the opportunity to attend camp through this program this summer. This has grown from the original camp program at 10 sites, serving 1,000 children in 2004.

It will take many people in many different roles to effectively care for all of the military children who will spend time at Pioneer this summer.  In order to effectively care for this group of kids, assistance will be needed from people willing to participate on-site during the camp programs, volunteers who will help to plan and prepare for all programming aspects that will be implemented and generous individuals who are willing to help fund the exciting and innovative programming that is being planned.  Are you one of these people? Does your family, business, Sunday School Class, group or organization have something that you could contribute?  If so, we need your help.