Operation Purple Camp: A Community for Military Kids Across America
Military Kids Serve Too®, and they’re some of the most adventurous, big-hearted kids you’ll ever meet. They take on challenges like frequent moves, new schools, and long goodbyes, yet they still find ways to plant roots and grow in every new place. They’re resilient, adaptable, and full of energy. That’s exactly why NMFA’s Operation Purple® Camp is so special. It gives these amazing military-connected kids and teens a place to come together, form a community that understands their journey, and create friendships that last long after campfires burn out.
A Coast-to-Coast Summer of Connection
This summer, over 1,200 military kids from coast to coast came together at eight incredible locations spanning the entire country, from the breathtaking banks of Kenai Lake in Alaska to the historic grounds of the Jamestown 4-H Educational Center in Virginia. These camps unfolded in forests, on lakeshores, and at vibrant recreation centers, each with its own local flavor but united in the same mission: to give military children a week of connection, adventure, and joy. Open to children of active-duty service members and veterans from all uniformed services, including the National Guard, Reserve, Space Force, and even the Commissioned Corps of the U.S. Public Health Service and NOAA, the camp is all about community and brings together kids who share similar experiences as military children.
A Place Where They Just “Get It”
At each location, campers found something truly special: a place where the unique challenges of military life are understood without explanation. One parent from Camp K in Alaska shared, “Being a retiree family that lives away from a military community, the kids get to connect with fellow kiddos that have similar experiences as them. We all miss the diversity of culture and experiences of the military lifestyle.” For families like theirs, Operation Purple Camp offers a chance to reconnect with the shared identity and camaraderie of military life, something that can often feel out of reach in civilian communities.
Adventure, Creativity, and Friendship
Over a week-long stay, campers dove into outdoor adventures like swimming, kayaking, paddleboarding, ziplining, and tackling ropes courses. They explored their creative sides through art, stretched their minds with hands-on STEM activities, and even learned teamwork skills in ways that didn’t feel like lessons at all. And for many, the friendships they built were the highlight. As one parent of a child that attended Camp Rockfish put it, “When they came back from camp they had life-long friends.”
Voices From the Heart
While parents love seeing the joy and connection their children bring home, the most powerful endorsements come from the campers themselves. Their stories capture not only the fun of the week but also the lasting impact it has on how they see themselves. As Chloe, age 14, from YMCA Camp Cullen shared, “I feel more confident in being a military kid because I know there are a lot like me.” Her words speak to the heart of Operation Purple Camp, a place where military kids find belonging, celebrate who they are, and leave knowing they are part of a community that stretches far beyond the camp gates.
By: Olivia Brinsfield, Content Manager
Powered in part by:
This program is powered in part by Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP) to honor and empower post-9/11 injured service members, veterans, and their families.
