It's been a few months since I wrote about free and reduced cost summer camp opportunities for military children, and I have found some more programs that might interest you. I'm including all the offerings in this post, both the new ones and programs about which we've already talked, but I have deleted programs whose application deadlines have already passed.
Sisters Under Sail Military Daughter's Scholarship
This fascinating program is open to female children aged 13-18. It is a one week trip sailing a woman-crewed tall ship on the Great Lakes. I really wish the dates would work out for one of my girls to apply for this, but those darn PCSes get in the way!
Operation Purple Camp
This free camp program, for youth ages 7 to 17, is coordinated by the National Military Family Association (NMFA), in conjunction with partner camps and other donors. Priority is given to children with a parent in the deployment cycle. The 2015 camp schedule is available now and applications are due by 6 April 2015.
My children were blessed with the opportunity to attend an Operation Purple camp in 2009. It was amazing. They had a spectacular week doing neat activities and being with other kids who understood their lives, and I had five, glorious, child-free days after seven months of solo parenting. It was so good for all of us. I will forever be thankful for that week. Military Teen Adventure Camps I'm not sure if the Military Teen Adventure Camps are running this summer. Their website hasn't been updated, and their Facebook page seems to be gone. I will keep an eye on this. Let's hope they are just finalizing their calendar!
Tiger Woods Learning Center
Located in sunny southern California, the Tiger Woods Learning Center offers both Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) camps and golf camps. A special program for military children may provide a full scholarship for the six-day camp, but transportation costs are not covered (and are not cheap, due to the small airport and limited arrival times). As of this posting, the website is down and I can not verify the application deadline.
Camp Corral
Organized by Golden Corral restaurants, free Camp Corrals are open to children aged 8 to 15. There are camps at various locations around the country, and registration is open now. Transportation costs are not covered, but the program has been able to provide some compensation towards camping costs during past years. There are myriad smaller programs that are specific to individual geographic areas, branches, or service statuses, as well as camps specifically for children of wounded or fallen members. A quick internet search can help you find programs for which your child may be eligible.
