IMCOM-Europe hosting camp for children with deployed parents

By Mr. Ollie R Johnson (IMCOM)April 14, 2009

IMCOM-Europe hosting camp for children with deployed parents
1 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Participants in last year's Installation Management Command-Europe's Camp A.R.M.Y Challenge canoe down a river during the outdoor recreation portion of a sports and fitness camp. The week-long camp - designed for children of deployed servicemembers -... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
IMCOM-Europe hosting camp for children with deployed parents
2 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Keith Tabatznik talks fundamentals at the 2008 Camp A.R.M.Y. Challenges sport and fitness camp. Tabatznik was one of six members of the U.S. Olympic Development Program who attended the camp, which will be held again this year for children of deploye... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

HEIDELBERG, Germany - Installation Management Command-Europe is hosting a summer camp designed specifically for children of deployed servicemembers.

Called Camp A.R.M.Y. Challenge - the acronym stands for Adventure, Resilience, Memories, Youth - the June 15-20 program offers not only a welcome break from the family stresses of deployment, but also a chance for "more than 200 kids to meet other youth facing similar challenges," said Joe Marton, Child, Youth and School Services program specialist for IMCOM-Europe Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation.

Middle-school and high-school students currently in grades 6-12 whose active-duty parents have deployed or will be deploying between June 1, 2008, and March 1, 2010, are eligible to apply - and must do so by May 4.

Although the camp is hosted exclusively by IMCOM-Europe Child, Youth and School Services, the camp will have some spaces open to children whose deployed moms or dads belong to the Air Force, Navy or Marine Corps.

Students having just completed eighth grade are considered an eighth-grader for camp attendance and may only apply to the middle-school camp sessions.

The week-long camp, which will be held in Germany, will provide concentrations in; basketball, culinary arts, soccer, and track and field. Plus all will participate in an outdoor adventure program (such as hiking, climbing and canoeing) and healthy living classes.

"We want the experience to be fun but also educational," Marton said.

Additionally, the program aims to build positive relationships between military children, noted Marton, who added, "there are scores of stories of these kids building lasting friendships that started in CAC and other similar camps we have sponsored."

Besides Camp A.R.M.Y Challenge, CYS Services will be offering summer programs at every IMCOM-Europe garrison for school-age children, middle-school youth and teens.

As for CAC, a non-refundable $50 camp registration fee is required when a child is selected to attend the camp. The fee reserves a slot in an assigned session.

Central bus pick-up points will provide transportation to the camps; however, Marton stressed that individualized transportation will not be funded, with families being responsible for getting their sons or daughters to central bus pick-up points.

Complete information details and application forms - which will be accepted only online - are available at www.mwr-europe.com.

Related Links:

Camp A.R.M.Y Challenge online registration