OPERATION PURPLE: Youth Center hosts camp for children of deployed members Published July 3, 2008 By Jennifer D'Alessandro Services Marketing TINKER AIR FORCE BASE -- Tinker Youth Programs was chosen by the National Military Family Association to host an Operation Purple Camp this year, the fourth year in a row. The Operation Purple camp program was created in 2004 by the NMFA to help military children struggling with having a parent deployed or who will be deployed soon. The goal of Operation Purple is to impart the message on these young heroes that "They Serve Too." The program aims to help military children, of various ages, learn coping skills which deal with deployment related stress, foster relationships with other military children in similar circumstances and most of all have fun. The camp was free to all eligible children thanks to a partnership with the Sierra Club Foundation and support from the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation. Operation Purple Camp Oklahoma 2008 was located at the Young Men's Christian Association Camp Classen in Davis, Okla., near the Arbuckle Mountains. Campers participated in variety of activities to include; swimming, horseback riding, sports, crafts, camp fires, kayaking, fishing, archery, and climbing the three-tier tower so they could jump on "the Blob." In addition to camp activities, Tinker Youth Programs organized a Military Theme Day where various military members simulated different scenarios the camper's parents have experienced. The driving force behind the day was Lt. Col. Kyle Ingham, deputy commander of the 72nd Mission Support Group. More than 45 volunteers from the Air Force, Army, Air Force Reserves and the Oklahoma Army National Guard participated in the event. Members from the 3rd Combat Communications Group geared the campers up with military vests, helmets and camouflage painted faces before the children maneuvered through obstacles courses and "chowed down" on MREs. The 72nd Security Forces Squadron K-9 Unit, along with working dogs Jambo, Jacky, Rex and Sonja, were on hand to demonstrate the capabilities of the military working dog. They showcased the abilities of the working dogs through simulated real-life situations, obstacle courses and a time of question and answers. In addition to the Air Force demonstration, the 6-52 ADA Battalion from Ft.Sill,Okla., provided an extensive display to include radars, engagement control stations, an antenna mast group, two Patriot launchers, several HMMWV and a wrecker. Campers were allowed to have first-hand experience with equipment and vehicles commonly used in the field. To close the day, an Oklahoma Army National Guard single OH-58 helicopter made a thrilling entry in the center of the demonstration field. The pilots took time to answer a variety of questions the campers had about the helicopter. Each camper had the opportunity to sit in the pilot's seat, soaring over imaginary mountains and deserts. As all eyes were on the helicopter, it departed back into the afternoon sun flying out over the Arbuckle. "My dad flies one of those too, he is so cool," one camper said. Operation Purple brought 80 military dependants together providing a unique camping experience where they learned coping skills, built a support network of friends, and shared in some carefree summer fun. For more information about Operation Purple, contact the Tinker Youth Center at 734-7866.