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YMCA site Ohio camp for military families

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By Rick McCrabb, Staff Writer 8:22 PM Tuesday, March 16, 2010

ST. CLAIR TWP. — YMCA Camp Campbell Gard has been selected to host the only Operation Purple camp in Ohio this summer.

The National Military Family Association developed this free summer camp program in response to the need for increased support for military children, especially those whose parents are or will be deployed, said Mary Scott, who chairs the association’s board.

“Our mission is to empower these military children — our youngest heroes — to develop and maintain healthy and connected relationships, in spite of the current military environment,” Scott said.

She said children attending Operation Purple camp will have the opportunity to learn the skills to cope the stress of a deployment and make friends with others who are missing their mom or dad. She called the program “very worthwhile”

This year, the association will host 68 Operation Purple camps in 37 states and territories, said Jim Sexstone, executive director of YMCA Camp Campbell Gard.

He hopes the camp relieves some of the stress on military families.

He said the YMCA is “really honored” to be included in the program.

“It’s a pretty special thing,” he said.

Since 1926, YMCA Camp Campbell Gard, 4803 Augspurger Road, has been dedicated to “Character through Camping.”

Registration for Operation Purple camp began Monday. Applications will be accepted only online. Camps are free thanks to support from the Sierra Club and The Sierra Club Foundation.

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