Looking back 20 years to 2003, the U.S. military was actively involved in the war in Afghanistan, and National Guard members from the base in Horsham were being deployed to Afghanistan in record numbers. With parents being deployed on short notice, military families were turned upside down. And so, Operation Summer Camp was born. Camp directors from Eastern PA ACA saw the need and developed an innovative program to help families by donating sessions or weeks of camp  to  military children. 

Working with the Biddle Air Guard Station in Horsham PA, over the past 20 years, camps have donated camperships valued in aggregate of more than a half of million dollars to send hundreds of boys and girls to camp while their parents are on active duty and deployed.

Unlike other military campership programs, Operation Summer Camp matches a child with a campership at a traditional or specialty, day or overnight camp, so the child can experience camp with non-military children. Operation Summer Camp is the only program in the country to provide this opportunity for military children. 

Operation Summer Camp relies on the generous donations of weeks or sessions of camp to make this program possible. Many thanks to the participating camps for their continuing support.   

Camp directors say that their camps are close to being filled for this summer.  But, the need is greater than ever. 

Have a few extra spots in a bunk? Have questions? 

Contact OSC co-coordinator, Barbara Dohner, at babsdohner@gmail.com.