Camp Desert Kids at Camp Pendleton 10/3/10

Camp Pendleton, CA -- Families United, one of the nation's leading military family support organizations, hosted "Camp Desert Kids" on Sunday, October 3, 2010. The program brought the "world of Afghanistan" to the children of deployed service men and women at Camp Pendleton.

After a pair of successful missions to Fort Bragg and Pope Air Force Base in North Carolina, and with the support of TriWest Healthcare Alliance and Lincoln Military Housing, Families United brought Camp Desert Kids to the west coast and Marine Corps families for the first time.

Camp Desert Kids welcomed 140 children to the Abby Reinke Community Center on Base. Campers started at the Troop readiness center where they were given their passport and dressed up like Mom or Dad in full camouflage gear. Each child had their picture taken for their passport and colored a postcard to send to their deployed parent.

Campers learned just how far away Afghanistan is, and for Kian that was important, "My favorite part was learning where my Dad was landing and where he is now," he said. "I will tell him we had fun today and that we know he is safe."

Once "in Afghanistan" children learned about the life of kids who live where their Mom or Dad is deployed. The event also featured Mr. Haider Karzai, an advisor with the US State Department and native Afghan who discussed food, attire, and culture for the children in attendance. Campers were able to taste food from Afghanistan and vote for their favorite snack.

Myleigh's Dad is currently deployed to Afghanistan. "My favorite part was learning about Afghanistan," she said. "I wanted to know what they were like and where my Dad was. I also learned about rice and Naan and that they drink chai tea and sleep in tents."

Families United plans on returning to Camp Pendleton for another installment of Camp Desert Kids early in 2011.

Category:

Nonprofits & Activism

Tags:

• CDK
• Camp Desert Kids
• Families United
• USMC
• Marines

[vivaloriflamme]

You guys have some great ideas for connecting the kids with where their parents are.

Loved the vote with ink!