Operation Military Kids offers free camps for qualifying youth

Two summer camping opportunities in Minnesota will be available through Operation Military Kids (OMK). These camps are for young people who have been impacted by a loved one who is in the military or has been impacted by a deployment.

OMK camps will provide a great opportunity to meet other young people with similar experiences and stories and to enjoy the great outdoors while at camp. Youth who are ages 8-12, can attend a "Boots On" OMK camp. At the Boots On camp, youth are also encouraged to bring a non-military friend along, while they experience the same type of deployment preparations their loved one experiences, such as completing paperwork and doing physical fitness training. The Boots On camp will be offered Sat., July 11 through Sun., July 12 at Camp Koinonia near Annandale. Registrations will be due by noon on July 1.

OMK "Teen Camp" will be offered for youth ages 13-16 and the focus of the camp will be team building and communication skills, which will be developed through participation in challenge activities such as a ropes course. Teen Camp will be offered on Sun., July 19 through Tues., July 21 at Ironwood Springs Ranch near Stewartville. Registrations will be due by noon on July 10.

Campers will enjoy traditional activities such as campfires, crafts, canoeing and cabin-living. There will be no registration fee for participants to attend these camps.

Registration information is available by going to www.operationmilitarykids.org. Click on State Information, then MN and you will find it under the News/Events section. Transportation to and from camp will be available from certain locations. If you have any questions about Teen Camp, contact: Michele Koening, OMK Camping Director, koeni094@umn.edu or (507) 337-2811. Camp space is limited, so please register early. Memories created at summer camps last a life time!

Source: Kia Harries, University of Minnesota Extension.