HEIDELBERG, Germany- Children of deployed Soldiers in Europe have until May 4 to apply for summer camps that range from manning a sailing ship to exploring a German coastal island.
The adventures are part of Camp A.R.M.Y. Challenge, which will help a select group of youth participate in four events that are designed specifically for teens and middle-school children and hosted by Installation Management Command-Europe Morale, Welfare and Recreation.
Additionally, one-week day camps in specialty areas such as sports, drama and art also will be offered at selected garrisons for school-age children, middle-school youth and teens. Child and Youth Services day programs for school-age children in grades first through fifth also will be available at all garrisons this summer.
Camp A.R.M.Y. Challenge offers a break from the family stresses of deployment, along with a chance to meet other youth who are facing challenges associated with having a parent away, said Joe Marton, IMCOM-Europe MWR Child and Youth Program specialist.
"This can be a very difficult time for some family members," Marton said. "These camps are a way for these children to spend time with others who are experiencing the same situation, to share and express their feelings, and to come away with lasting memories of unique summer fun."
Middle-school and high-school students in grades sixth through 12th (during the 2006-2007 school year) whose active-duty Army, Air Force, Navy or Marine parent have or will be deployed between June 1, 2006, and Feb. 28, 2008, are eligible to apply. Although the camp is hosted by IMCOM-Europe MWR CYS, each Camp A.R.M.Y. Challenge venue will have four spaces open to other services. Students having just completed eighth grade are considered an eighth-grader for camp attendance and may only apply to the middle school camp sessions.
Camp A.R.M.Y. Challenge for middle-school youth in grades sixth through eighth will be held July 16-21 in Heidelberg and August 6-11 on a German coastal island. The City Adventure session will include cultural awareness, with the Island Adventure session featuring environmental awareness.
The Camp A.R.M.Y. Challenge Tall Ship Sailing Program is a hands-on experience designed to challenge high-school teens in ninth through 12th grades. Two sessions will be held: July 21-27 and July 27-August 1. During the program, teens will man the ship under the direction of the captain and crew.
To ensure as many youth as possible have an opportunity to attend Camp A.R.M.Y. Challenge this summer, participants will only be allowed to attend one session.
A $50 camp registration fee will be charged only when a camper is selected to attend. The fee is to reserve the camper's slot in their assigned session and is due by May 31. Refund of the camp registration fee will be given only if written cancellation is submitted at least two weeks prior to camp starting.
Central bus pick-up points will provide transportation to all camps; however, no air transportation or individualized transportation will be funded as families are responsible for getting their son or daughter to the central bus pick-up points.
Complete information and the application forms, which will be accepted online only, for Camp A.R.M.Y. Challenge are available online at www.mwr-europe.com.
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