July 7, 2010
By Barbara Dunlap-Berg

As families in the United States celebrated Independence Day with picnics and fireworks, staff at Camp Aldersgate, a United Methodist retreat center, made final preparations for some special campers – children whose parents are deployed in military service.

The free camp in Greig, N.Y., is called Operation Purple, and the Aldersgate site is one of four United Methodist facilities across the connection hosting camps for military children, ages 8 to 17. Similar programs are also held at Camp Rock Fish, Parkton, N.C.; Camp Tekoa, Hendersonville, N.C.; and Lazy F Camp and Retreat Center, Ellensburg, Wash.

"All of these camps have run Operation Purple programs for multiple years with very much success," said David Riddell, Aldersgate's Operation Purple camp director and a United Methodist.

While the camp receives funding from non-United Methodist sources, Riddell is quick to note the church's support through "talented volunteers and staff" who donate time and services.

"Last year," he said, "we had seven United Methodist clergy volunteer with the program as well as other local volunteers from numerous United Methodist churches throughout the central and northern New York areas.

"We also hire each summer approximately 25 summer staff who fully uphold and support the beliefs of The United Methodist Church – many who attend U.M. local churches. We have found that many staff and volunteers return year after year just to help work with the Operation Purple program because of the opportunity to give back to our military families."

Kids in similar situations

The National Military Family Association designed the curriculum for children dealing with the absence of a deployed parent, said Bailey Toombs Bernius, public relations specialist for the association.

The program focuses on helping children develop coping skills, which are important because their situation could change in a heartbeat. She said the opportunity for children to be around other military kids is helpful. That's particularly true for those whose parents serve in the National Guard and Reserves and who often don't know other kids in similar situations.

In addition to enjoying outdoor activities, the campers are also given a taste of military life, including an initial check-in line deployment style, a meal made of MRE (meal ready-to-eat) rations, and participation in team-building activities and a service project.

Camps across the United States serve 10,000 children every summer, according to Bernius. In selecting host camps, she said, "we pick the best of the best." This year, there are more than 200 campers participating at the Aldersgate camp location.

Fort Drum, N.Y., is the closest military base to Aldersgate. "The program encompasses all branches of uniformed services of the military," said Riddell.

"While military men and women are serving our country, it is an incredible feeling to know we are providing a worthwhile and life-changing experience for their children,' said Deb Townsend, Aldersgate director. "The staff of Aldersgate is excited and honored to have been chosen to host this program for a third year in a row."

Children come from a variety of religious backgrounds. The association, Riddell explained, "asks that we do not focus on a specific religious background, but remain open to all faiths.

‘Our staff and volunteers show Christian love and support, knowing these families are going through in a very difficult time in their lives." Campers pray before meals.

'You're our heroes too'

"Aldersgate's vision and mission," Riddell added, "is to provide programs and facilities for people to grow in their relationship to God, and the Operation Purple program allows campers and families to come to a place where they feel safe, accepted and loved."

The camp provides a "wall of honor," and campers are encouraged to bring a photo of their deployed parent and to tell the other campers about their mom or dad.

"We emphasize that kids serve too," Bernius said. "We thank them for their service and tell them, ‘You're our heroes too.'"

The camp makes a difference in the lives of the families. "I talked with a camper mother a couple of weeks ago," Riddell said, "who expressed her sincere gratitude for all of our hard work that made it possible for her children to attend Operation Purple.

"Her husband was severely injured overseas. It has hit the children so hard, and she and I had a long chat. Her husband returned home. They found out that he will be medically discharged after serving in the military for a number of years."

"In our conversation," he said, "I asked if we could lift her family up in prayer, and she said, ‘Most certainly.' I was able to pray for her and her family over the phone, that God will heal her husband and bring strength to the whole family as they go through this difficult time.

"This truly confirms that the work that we are doing with the Operation Purple program is a ministry to our military community."

United Methodist News Service
Barbara Dunlap-Berg is internal church content editor for United Methodist Communications.