Family Readiness Corner

  • Published
  • By Carolann Wunderlin
  • 129th Rescue Wing Airman & Family Readiness Program
MOFFETT FEDERAL AIRFIELD, Calif. --  Summer is almost here! Be sure to check out all the summer camps available for military children.

Operation: Military Kids 2011, Camp Ronald McDonald and Operation Purple Camp are a few of the organizations gear up for this summer's activities. Also, ABC's "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" producers are seeking people involved in the military whose home deserves an extreme makeover. Be sure to check out the 129th Airman and Family Readiness Programs website for more information about registration and participation at http://www.129rqw.ang.af.mil/resources/familyreadiness.asp.

Operation: Military Kids 2011

Operation Military Kids is offering a variety of camping opportunities this summer for youth ages seven to 19 who have a loved one who is or has served in any branch of the military. These camps give youth the chance to experience a wide range of traditional camping activities as well as increase their leadership skills, provide educational activities and form life-long friendships. The camps are of little or no charge to the participants! For more information on OMK camps, please visit http://www.ca4h.org/Programs/MilitaryPartnership/OMK/ or contact Crystal O'Hara, 4-H Military Partnership Program Representative, at 530-757-8968.

Camp Ronald McDonald

Ronald McDonald House Charities Northern California is dedicated to supporting children and their families by supporting Camp Ronald McDonald at Eagle Lake and the Sacramento Ronald McDonald House. Since 1992 Camp Ronald McDonald® at Eagle Lake has been putting smiles on children's faces each summer. This 35 acre, fully accessible camp welcomes nearly 1,000 campers with disabilities and disadvantages each year. This 'special place for special children' opens up a world of possibilities for children, through arts and crafts, water sports, group activities and so much more. For more information, please visit http://www.campronald.org/home.php.

Operation Purple Camp

The National Military Family Association is now accepting applications for its popular Operation Purple Summer Camps. This free summer camp program was developed by the Association to support military children, ages 7-17, dealing with the stress of war. Each camp is "purple" and open to children of active duty, National Guard or Reserve service members from the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, or the Commissioned Corps of the US Public Health Service and NOAA. Applications will only be accepted online. Visit our website to apply today at http://support.militaryfamily.org/site/R?i=PKNJW8KgFmYiRHyEQ3m1ig.


Extreme Makeover: Home Edition

ABC's "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" producers are seeking people involved in the military whose home deserves an extreme makeover. The producers are looking for people with "amazing strength of character and who put their own needs aside to help others," a press release said.

"Whether it's a soldier, a mom, a teacher or a fireman, we think deserving families are families who inspire those around them." Additionally, the show's producers are seeking families whose houses need major alterations or repair - "homes that present serious problems for the family and affect the family's quality of life."

To be eligible, families must own their single family home and be able to demonstrate how a makeover will make a difference in their lives. Interested military families or people who wish to nominate a military family should e-mail a short description of the family's story to emheusa@gmail.com. The e-mail should include the names and ages of household members, a description of the family's challenges, an explanation of why the family is deserving of a makeover or is a positive role model in the community, photos of the family and their home, and contact numbers.

The deadline for nominations is May 30, but people should send submissions early, the release said. Only up to 25 families are selected each season. For more information on the application process, visit http://abc.go.com/primetime/xtremehome/index?pn=apply.