Over the Rainbow Camp

Over the Rainbow

We are very excited about our upcoming “Over the Rainbow” one day Kid’s camp and the possibility of your child attending. The day camp is for children 6-12 years of age who have experienced the loss of someone close to them. We will be working with your child on different coping techniques which they can use to help them with grief and loss. We encourage you to discuss with your child what they have learned and practice the coping skills with them. The camp will begin at 9am and run until 3pm, with a balloon release around 2:30pm. We ask that someone attend this part of the program with the child. This year the camp will be held at Watertown Mennonite Church, 19089 State Rt 3. If you have any other questions please feel free contact either Joyce Combs at 788-7323 or Tom Clegg at 772-6357

Sitting Under the Tent

The author of this blog post, Stephen Byers, is the new husband of a Gold Star Wife as well as a personal friend. They, along with their combined family of 5 children attended the 10th Mountain Division Annual Remembrance Ceremony on Tuesday morning.

It is a very rare opportunity we have to gain the perspective of the "New Spouse". Steve provides us insight as to the mindset of just such a person. I'm sure his thoughts are not alone in their context and meaning.  As I watch families every day move into their "new normal" I am awed by the dignity, honor, respect, and support they provided the the Gold Star Family members. Steve has respectfully allowed me to share his words as I'm sure they will be enlightening to many others.

 

Sitting Under the Tent

The humidity was not normal for Northern New York and the suit and tie I was wearing was not helping the situation at all, I was uncomfortable. I was inclined to start grumbling but the event I was attending demanded that I look my best. I am sure I wasn't alone in my discomfort because everyone around me was dressed up and most of them were in Class A's or Dress Blues. To be quite honest I was feeling a little under dressed and a little jealous that I wasn't wearing the same uniform.

When I got out of the car with the family we were greeted by a officer who escorted us to where the event was to take place. Along the way our escort asked us if we needed or would like anything, he was very eager to meet the needs of seven strangers. He ushered us to our seats under a large tent and we sat down. This was first class treatment to say the least.

When I sat down I looked out at the other soldiers and their families that were sitting in the bleachers, uncovered from the glaring sun and thought to myself how uncomfortable they must be in the heat and humidity.

To an uninformed bystander it would appear that the place to be on this day was under the tent. There was shade, a good view and escorts to care for your every need. But today that couldn't be farther from the truth.

The tent was set up for Gold Star Family members on Ft. Drum. Becoming a Gold Star Family Member is not what it sounds like. It means that you have lost a family member in the wars our nation has been fighting for the last decade. I was honored to sit with my wife and three step children as they came to honor the loss of a husband and father.

As I sat among such great loss and sacrifice I was immediately humbled by a question? Are you willing to pay the price to sit under the tent? There is no doubt that the tent for this event was the place to be for comfort, but the price to get their was very high. Everyone under that tent had paid a price for their comfort at that memorial, and all will do so for years to come.

I couldn't help but think about how easy it has been for me at times to look at someone that is successful or prospering; someone that in appearance is sitting in the comfort of the tent we call life. It is an entirely different matter when you start to find out what they paid to get their. The hard work, the sleepless nights, the time away from family and most importantly the times they failed and had to get back up. I walked away from the Remembrance Ceremony with a lot to think about but no thought was bigger then what price are you willing to pay to sit under the tent?

This can carry into so many areas of life; relationships, finances, raising children, work, and the list could go on and on. Everyone has a proverbial tent they are working towards. Maybe it is retirement or another level in education, financial freedom or some other form of success. But let me tell you about a tent, that if you are reading this in the United States you have already been blessed to sit under.

I am talking about the freedom we have as Americans. Yesterday I was moved by the sacrifice of the people that have paid the ultimate price so we can remain under that tent. We have a solemn obligation to never forget that sacrifice but we must do more then just remember. We need to continually be willing to offer ourselves to keep this nation free as it was intended.

Camp Corral

 

Camp Corral : Home

CAMP CORRAL – Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is Camp Corral?

A: Camp Corral is a free, summer camp for children in military families ages 8-15. The child must be 8 to15 during the week of camp. It is a FUN week full of great camp activities – a place where a kid is free to be a kid!

Q: Is the age range firm or is there some flexibility?

A: The age range (8 to 15) is firm for your child’s safety and to ensure age appropriate programming.

Q: Who sponsors Camp Corral?

A: Camp Corral is proudly sponsored through the generosity of Golden Corral Corporation, their restaurants and our guests.

Q: What is the cost of Camp Corral?

A: Camp Corral is free to qualifying children in military families.

Q: Is transportation provided or costs covered?

A: No – parents/guardians are responsible for the camper’s transportation to and from camp.

Q: Who is eligible to attend Camp Corral?

A: Any child (age 8 to 15) in a military family. Priority is given to children in a family with a wounded, disabled or fallen service member.

Q: How are campers selected?

A: Top priority is given to children in a military family where a service member has been injured, wounded, is disabled as result of service or has fallen in action. Other qualifying youth are placed on the camp’s “Wait List”.

Q: When will campers be accepted from the “Wait List”?

A: Spaces are kept open for “top tier campers” until 60 days prior to camp. At that point, any available spaces will be filled from the camp’s “Wait List”.

Q: Are children of veterans eligible?

A: Yes

Q: Is any documentation required to show that the service member was injured, disable or fallen in action?

A: No – we trust you as a member of our military to answer all questions honestly and accurately.

Q: Who should complete the on line application?

A: A parent or legal guardian only (no child should complete their own application).

Q: Can a friend sign up a child in another family?

A: No – we must have a separate application for each child completed by that child’s parent or legal guardian.

Q: Which email address should I use in completing the application?

A: Please use the email that you use most often. If your email address changes before camp, please let the camp know.

Q: How are Camp Corral locations (host camps) selected?

A: Very carefully. Each camp is personally visited and reviewed. All Camp Corral host camps are 4-H Camps (run and operated through that state’s Land Grant University) or YMCA Camps run by a respected Board. All camps are accredited by the American Camp Association or operate using their guidelines.

Q: How is camp staff trained?

A: Extensive on site training is provided for all staff, with many receiving additional training through local 4-H or YMCA’s. Golden Corral provides specific training to Camp Directors on “Working with Children in Military Families”.

Q: Are there other trained persons at Camp Corral?

A: All Camp Corral sites seek the assistance of a trained Military and Family Life Consultants (MFLC) to be on site during their session. All camps have trained and certified medical staff and established protocol in the unlikely need of emergency care.

Q: What do campers need to bring to camp?

A: Each Camp Corral host camp will provide that list to camper families. In general, your child will need a sleeping bag (or single sheets/blanket) and a pillow as well as their own cosmetic items and clothing for 5 nights/ 6 days of camp. Remember a rain jacket. Campers may get some clothing soiled, or wet, and need to change during the day. Older clothing and shoes are fine for camp.

Q; How do I apply?

A: Use the APPLY tool bar at the top of the web site. Follow the steps. Ensure that you fully complete each section of the application, especially the section - “Emergency Contacts”.

Q: What happens after I apply?

A: The camp (location) you applied to will review applications to ensure that the camper meets established guidelines. If the camper is in the “Top Tier” group, they will be accepted (Registered) for that camp session. If they are not in the “Top Tier” group, but meet other requirements (age, child in military family, etc), they will be placed on that camp’s “Wait List”.

Q: What do I do after my child is accepted (registered)?

A: Follow the instructions sent to you by your Camp Corral camp. They will let you know other forms that they need (such as medical and specific permissions, arrival and departure times, what to bring to camp, etc.).

Q: What is camp arrival time?

A: Camp Corral camps conduct on-site registration on Sunday afternoon. Follow the specific times provided by your camp for arrival and departure times. DO NOT arrive earlier or later unless approved by the Camp Director.

Q: When do I pick up my child?

A: Friday morning at the end of the week (exact time will be provided by your Camp Director.)

Q: After my child is accepted for Camp Corral, who do I communicate with about camp?

A: The camp staff where your child has been accepted. Each of our camps is unique and has it own set of rules and policies. Please respond quickly to all requests from them for information and forms that are needed.