Help Send a Military Child to Camp

Summer camp is a rite of passage for children: time away from the parents for a week, riding horses, staying up late and forming friendships over the campfire. Some kids become veterans of the camp experience, returning to the same spot year after year to rekindle the same summer friendships.

For children of military families, summer camp is a place to forget the stress of a deployed parent and just enjoy childhood. CRISTA Camps, an affiliate of Crista ministries, has announced the launch of a fundraising program entitled “Send a Kid to Camp” that will focus on sending 400 children from military families to a week-long summer camp. 

Over the past two summers Crista has partnered with the National Military Family Association’s “Operation Purple” program, which served the same purpose of the “Send a Kid to Camp” project, sending 300-400 children from grades 4-12 to Miracle Ranch Camp in Gig Harbor. The Western Washington branch of “Operation Purple” was forced to shut down because of a loss in funding. In response, CRISTA Camps stepped up with its fundraising campaign. The goal is to raise $120,000, which will allow 400 children to attend camp for free.

“Children of deployed military families are our nation’s youngest heroes,” stated Doug Chase, vice president of CRISTA Camps in a news release. “We have created this fundraising program to give back to these families in the form of a fun-filled week of camp they’ll never forget. We can make a difference in the lives of these kids through the generosity of our local community.” 

To donate to the “Send a Kid to Camp” campaign, or register the child of a military family, visit www.sendakid.net.