FAQs
Application Process
What is Operation Purple Camp
Operation Purple camps offer a free week of in-person, overnight summer camp, and are open to military–connected children from all service branches, including National Guard and Reserve, Coast Guard, National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration, and the United States Public Health Services Commission Corps. Priority is given to those children who will have a parent or guardian deployed 18 months prior to or after May 2021, or have a parent with a Post-9/11 wound, illness, or injury (medically retired, medically discharged, active duty and reserve). If all spaces are not filled with campers who meet the criteria, the remaining camp slots are filled with any eligible military children.
Can I apply to an Operation Purple camp outside of my state?
Please apply to the closest Operation Purple Camp that fits your child’s age range. The National Military Family Association recognizes that military families frequently PCS and/or visit family during the summer months. Under these circumstances, or if there is not a camp in your state that meets your needs, you may apply to an Operation Purple Camp located outside of your state. The cost for travel expenses and transportation to and from camp is covered by the family applying. Once the child arrives at camp, Operation Purple Camp will take care of lodging, meals, and activities.
Can my child apply for, or attend, more than one Operation Purple camp per summer?
A child, under no circumstances, is permitted to attend more than one Operation Purple Camp per summer. This ensures we are able to serve the maximum number of children each summer. If it is determined a child attended more than one camp, the child will become ineligible for future Operation Purple Camps. Only one application per child is permitted. If more than one application is submitted, the National Military Family Association reserves the right to select one camp for the child and remove all other applications for that individual.
Is there an Operation Purple camp for children with special needs?
Upon acceptance, all camp families will be asked to complete an Operation Purple Special Needs Assessment Form. The National Military Family Association’s Operation Purple Program does not discriminate against children with special needs and simply request information about your child’s needs in order to provide a safe and enjoyable experience for campers. Please note that the terrain of some camp locations, as well as activity levels, may make it difficult to accommodate children with certain special needs. We encourage parents to work with camps prior to the start of the Operation Purple session to determine safety and medical accommodations.
How do I know that my application has been successfully processed?
Upon completion of the online application, applicants should see a message that states “You have successfully completed the application. Thank you for applying.” In addition to this confirmation screen, you will receive one confirmation email to the email address you provided.
How do I complete the application if I have more than one child that would like to attend camp?
While completing the online application, parents will be asked how many children they plan to register. Once they have completed the first application, they will be given the option to register additional children. Pertinent contact information will be transferred from the first application to subsequent applications.
My child attended Operation Purple camp in the past; can I apply again this year?
There is no limit to the number of years a child can attend; however, first priority in selection of attendees is given to those children who have never attended an Operation Purple Camp before AND who have a parent who was wounded, ill, or injured during service, or been deployed 18 months prior to or after May 2021.
My child is a military child. Is he/she guaranteed a spot at Operation Purple camp?
Unfortunately, all applicants are not guaranteed a spot at camp. First preference is given to military children who have a parent that was wounded, ill or injured during service or have been deployed 18 months prior to or after May 2021.
The online registration system is showing a wait time. What can I do?
Due to high volumes of people registering for Operation Purple Camp, there will be times during the day when the online registration may show long wait times. If this occurs, applicants will need to attempt to log in at another time.
Registration + Notification
When will I know if my camper was accepted to camp?
All camp applicants will receive emails regarding their application status no later than six weeks before the start of camp. Selected campers will then be required to fill out specific host camp registration forms before their acceptance is considered complete. Forms not turned in to the camp by the required date could lead to the loss of your child’s camp slot.
Are Operation Purple campers picked on a first come first serve basis?
Campers are selected with priority given to those children who have a parent with a Post-9/11 wound, illness, or injury (medically retired, medically discharged, active duty and reserve); or will have a parent or guardian deployed 18 months prior to or after May 2021. Selection is also based on previous attendance at Operation Purple Camp and age of children. This ensures camper slots are evenly distributed in order to serve the widest variety of children possible.
“Hold My Spot” Deposit
What is a "Hold My Spot" Deposit?
When a child is selected to attend an Operation Purple Camp session in 2021, they will be required to submit an online “Hold My Spot” deposit of $25 per child. Instructions for how to pay this deposit will be provided in your acceptance email.
