The National Military Family Association is accepting applications until April 29 for its Operation Purple Summer Camps, which offer a free week of summer fun for military kids with parents who have been, are currently, or will be deployed.
The goal of the Operation Purple camp program is to give military children tools to help deal with the stresses that result from a parent's deployment through a memorable camp experience. Operation Purple camps are open to military children of all ranks and Services: active and reserve components--and give priority to children whose parents are deployed or deploying anytime between September 2010 and December 2011.
2011 Operation Purple camps will be held in 25 states as well as Okinawa, Japan. Host camps are chosen annually and locations often change from year to year.
Click here to find an Operation Purple camp near you!
March 2011 Archives
Ah, camp memories. Bugs in jars, macaroni masterpieces, and an endless
stream of pictures. You smile as your child energetically recounts
every detail of their one-of-a-kind camp experience. Priceless.
Until you get that credit card statement in the mail and remember, yes, your child's camp did indeed have a price.
Here's a tip to soothe any post-camp financial stress - claim camp costs on
your income tax return! Overnight camps don't qualify, but most day
camps can be claimed under the Child and Dependent Care Credit. The
actual credit can be up to 35 percent of your qualifying expenses,
depending upon your income.
Click here to read an article from the IRS about this tax benefit.
Check out day camps on MySummerCamps and day camps on KidsCamps for a variety of options in your area.
by
Amanda Formaro
Heading to summer camp is a fun and exciting experience for your child. You
however, may feel some apprehension about watching your smiling offspring head
off without you for a few weeks. How do you know which camp is the best
fit for your child? There are several factors to consider when choosing a
summer camp your son or daughter will enjoy.
Finding the Best Fit
It's important to sit down with your child and decide what they wish to gain
from their summer camp experience. Perhaps the outdoor activities are
high on Johnny's priority list, but Lisa may be more focused on arts &
crafts. Is there something your child wants to gain from the camp
experience? Learning to paddle and steer a canoe or ride and care for a
horse, whatever the case, these are important factors to consider. Be
sure to ask about camp activities and how much time is spent in each area.
Cost
Obviously the cost involved with summer camp is a significant deciding
factor. Before sitting down with your child and going over the camps
available, you may wish to go through each one and decide which of them will
fit into your budget first. Present the camps that fit into your finances
and help your child pick from among them.
Don't Limit by Location
There are summer camps all over the United States and Canada. If this is
your child's first summer camp experience, one closer to home may be a better
option. However, if your child has attended summer camp before, don't
discount camps that may be in another state. With so many choices
available, you may find a camp that's farther away but has more of your child's
interests in mind.
Safety & Administration
When deciding on a summer camp, be sure to find out what their procedures are
should a medical emergency arise. How far is the nearest hospital?
Are all staff members trained and certified in CPR? Is there a medical area on
the grounds, and how is it staffed and stocked?
The most important thing in choosing a summer camp for your child is to be well
informed. Research thousands of camps at MySummerCamps and KidsCamps, ask plenty of
questions, and don't be afraid to ask for referrals. Your child will
thank you for it.
The next time you're at the grocery store, pick up a bag of Late July Organic Multigrain Snack Chips and help send a kid to camp!
Organic snack company
Late July has teamed with the American Camp Association
to launch a line of snack chips that are not only healthy and delicious, but
will raise money to provide summer camp scholarships for kids in need.
They're available in three flavors - Sea Salt by the Seashore, Mild Green Mojo,
& Dude Ranch.
Along with winning Best New Product at the 2010 Natural Product's Expo, these new chips are also 100% Whole Grain, certified gluten free, peanut/tree nut free and give 10 percent of profits to support the ACA's Send a Child to Camp Fund. Find them at Whole Foods and other major retailers.
