GIBSON CO., IN (WFIE) -
Have you heard of Operation Purple?
It's a military-style camp for children at Camp Carson in Gibson County.
Each camper has a special bond with either a parent currently deployed or one that soon will be deployed. Operation Purple is a week long camp that allow these kids to act their age.
"Often at home you'll find with mom or dad gone, they become the second adult in the household. Those older ones looking out after little brothers and sisters and picking up extra chores, so this week they get to be a kid and have fun," said Mark Scoular, the Executive Director of Camp Carson.
"All of our parents are either deployed or home and about to deploy so even if we don't like each other it's something we have in common," said camper Gabi Matz.
Having that in common creates a strong bond among campers.
"You get to release all your stress, all your emotions. You get to let it out with everyone around you and everyone just feels closer because we all understand each other," camper Nicholas Massey said.
As one of the oldest campers, Massey says he enjoys assisting the younger ones who might be having a hard time.
"You've been through this a couple of times. You know what they're feeling and you kind of have that sense of relief knowing you can help someone, knowing that you can bring them along and not have the same problems you had," Massey said.
"We also have military life counselors on board with us this week so they're meeting with some of the kids and help them process what's going on," Scoular said.
The camp is called Operation Purple because purple is the color you get when you mix together all the different colors of our military branches.
Operation Purple welcomes hundreds of campers from all over the country.
If you'd like to sponsor a camper, contact Camp Carson for more information.
Copyright 2012 WFIE. All rights reserved.
