Military kids learn new skills at free camp

Published Aug. 10, 2007
By Corey Dahl
21st Space Wing Public Affairs

PETERSON AFB, Colo. -- Kate Tennermann spent the last week in July playing games, making friends and - though she didn't know it until later - learning a few new skills.

Kate, whose father is an Airman stationed at Schriever Air Force Base, was one of roughly 250 children of military members who attended Operation Military Kids Character Camp. The four-day day camp focused on teaching leadership skills and teamwork to the kids using ropes course activities and other games.

"They do activities that just seem like normal games, but then later you learn how it improves your character," Kate said. "We ended up learning a lot of different things even though we were just having fun."

That was the point, said Lisa Best, senior facilitator for the Aesir Group, which helped organize the camp through its nonprofit arm, Character Concepts. The camp's organizers wanted the kids to have fun, Ms. Best said, but also pick up on a few skills that will come in handy in the future, especially for military kids.

"I think every kid needs this kind of thing," she said. "But children of the military, they do have such special challenges. They're moving all the time, and it tends to make them a little more independent. This is just one way to get them to learn teamwork."

Geared toward children and teenagers of military members who are deployed, have deployed or will deploy soon, the camp was completely free to all participants. An anonymous donor and sponsors such as Bigg City covered the camp's estimated $150,000 cost.

"It's another way the community shows we're supportive of the military and what they're doing for us," Ms. Best said. "It's just a way to say, 'Thank you.'"

Nick Gallo certainly appreciated it. His stepdad, who is stationed at Peterson, is currently deployed to MacDill Air Force Base in Florida. His absence has Nick feeling a little sad and also taking on some extra chores to help out his mom.

"I like the camp because I'm busy," he said. "It keeps my mind off of all that stuff."