Summer is coming and children have lifelong memories of their summer camp experiences. Sending the kids off to a FREE Operation Purple camp is easy on the budget! Operation Purple camps have created lots of opportunities for children of deployed Soldiers to have fun and meet new friends. These free, week-long, overnight camps are open to all military children ages 7-17. The program aims to help military kids experience carefree fun while also learning coping skills to deal with deployment-related stress and fostering relationships with other children who know what they are going through. Operation Purple camp allows kids to gain confidence by learning to be stewards of the community and of the environment.

Since Operation Purple camp’s implementation, the National Military Family Association has sent more than 20,000 military kids to camp for free. In 2009, Operation Purple will host nearly 90 weeks of camp held in 62 locations in 37 states and territories. Camps are free to all Military Families, thanks to support from the Sierra Club and The Sierra Club Foundation.

The Operation Purple program currently includes traditional summer camps, teen camps, teen leadership camps, family retreats, and camps for families of the wounded and day clinics in overseas locations. Please direct questions regarding Operation Purple camp to operationpurple@nmfa.org.

Camper registration ends on April 20th and you can find all the details on how to register and the necessary forms to apply for camp on the Operation Purple website.

Army Reserve Family Programs has consolidated links and information sources on the web portal for easy reference. Visit the Army Reserve Family Programs web portal Virtual Brief to learn more about the Five Phases of Homecoming and Reunion, DEERS, Chaplain Resources, Veterans Affairs, Military Family Life Consultants, Financial Matters, Reemployment Rights, Military OneSource, and Child and Youth Services.

Army Reserve Child and Youth Services offer a number of programs to increase availability to high quality child care options. Having quality child care programs help to reduce potential conflicts between parental responsibilities and mission requirements. Army Reserve families may be eligible to receive a minimum of $100 per child per month towards their child care costs when they begin participating in the Child & Youth Services child care programs. Apply online at www.naccrra.org.

Through Operation: Military Child Care, the Department of Defense is reaching out to support the needs of Army Reserve Soldiers who are mobilized and deployed in support of the Global War on Terror. Soldiers may be eligible for reduced child care rates at licensed and legally operating centers during their deployment and for up to 60 days after their return. For Families who do not already have a child care provider and need help locating one, these fee reductions will help make child care more affordable. For more information visit www.naccrra.org and complete an online application. If you need assistance, contact your CYS Regional Coordinator.

Child care providers have voluntarily teamed up with the National Association of Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies (NACCRRA) and with local Resource & Referral Agencies to provide a few hours of free child care for Army Reserve personnel during their two weeks of Rest and Recuperation leave from Iraq and Afghanistan. You can plan ahead to have a special date with your spouse, conduct personal business, or enjoy other activities, without the worry of who is watching the kids. During your two-week leave from Operation: Enduring Freedom or Operation Iraqi Freedom you are eligible to receive a minimum of four hours of free child care from dedicated child care providers across the country who have pledged their support by donating their time and services. To schedule childcare, Soldiers or Family members may contact NACCRRA directly by calling 800-424-2246 or visit www.childcareaware.org

Visit the Army Reserve Family Programs web portal to find additional child care options, including the GSA Child Care Subsidy Initiative and the Military Child Care in Your Neighborhood (MCCIYN) program.

Here’s an activity that any child will enjoy. Go to this web site, www.LetsSayThanks.com and you can pick out a thank you card and Xerox will print it and it will be sent to a soldier that is currently serving in Iraq. You can't pick out who gets it, but it will go to a member of the armed services.

This could also be a great class room activity that could be suggested to a child’s teacher. It is FREE and it only takes a second and it will brighten up a Soldier’s day.

Whether you’re dealing with diapers and night feedings, recitals, soccer or homework, the responsibilities of child-rearing can be especially difficult for military families. Daily routine can become overwhelming when families are faced with long separations, frequent relocations and deployment. That’s why the Strong Bonds Family Program was developed.

There are unique stresses of military life, so your family can benefit from a Strong Bonds weekend retreat. Children 8 years old and over may participate in most exercises of the Strong Bonds Family program. Your family and others from your unit will gain skills to help sustain healthy interactions throughout the trials of Army life. In addition to relevant teaching and skills training, there is time for relaxation, recreation, fellowship, and fun.

Strong Bonds programs are offered by Army Chaplains with the full support of Commanding Officers. Participants will gain practical, useful information based on curriculum designed especially for military families. Through small group and one-on-one activities, family members learn how to maintain closeness during frequent relocation, long separations, and repeated reunions.

Visit the Strong Bonds web site to review the available programs and to register for a retreat. A variety of programs are available including Family Wellness, Marriage enrichment, Couples programs and Single Soldiers.