Aurora – Operation Purple Camp may not be in a serene Colorado mountain setting where campers cast fishing lines into a lake and roast hot dogs over an open fire.
But for the 51 children of soldiers who are deployed by the U.S. armed forces, the week-long summer camp at Buckley Air Force Base is a place where they can share similar experiences while learning discipline in a mini-military boot camp.
“It’s really hard, but sometimes it’s fun,” said Darlene Carter, 11, who had just finished marching almost two blocks Tuesday from the base dining hall to the recreation center.
Darlene and her sister, Symkia, 14, live in Clarksville, Tenn. Their stepmother just returned from Iraq, and their father was stationed in the Army in Texas.
“Those push-ups are tough, but like my dad, I know I’ll make it,” Symkia said.
Operation Purple Camp serves more than 2,500 children of military personnel nationwide who have a parent deployed from June 2004 through September 2006.
The camp is free for the children, sponsored by the National Military Family Association and Sears, Roebuck and Co.
But this is not your typical easygoing summer camp. Boys and girls, ages 8 to 18, sleep on cots. Their 5 a.m. wake-up call is the banging of pots and pans by drill sergeants.
A typical day includes rigid “PT” (physical training), push-ups, marching and drill formations. The children’s physical and mental endurance is tested to show what their parents may experience, though organizers are careful not to go too far.
“We’re cutting them a lot of slack,” said Roslyn Simmonds, superintendent of the honor guard at Buckley.
During down time, the children write in “reflection” journals and participate in arts and crafts classes.
Members of each branch of the military teach lessons, including a water-rescue simulation by the Navy. On Friday, children younger than 12 will present handmade cards and cookies to residents of the Colorado State and Veterans Nursing Homes. Children older than 12 will get history lessons and clean the grounds at Fort Logan National Cemetery.
Peter McLeod, 15, of Cheyenne is an Operation Purple Camp team leader and in charge of 14 kids. His stepfather and mother are serving in the Air National Guard in Kuwait. His mother came home last week, but his stepfather remains overseas.
McLeod’s face is red because he didn’t like getting yelled at for having untied shoelaces. And he’s not too crazy about waking up so early.
Still, he sees the camp’s benefits.
“There have been good times and bad,” McLeod said. “I’m learning and developing leadership skills.”
Staff writer Annette Espinoza can be reached at 303-820-1655 or aespinoza@denverpost.com.
