Operation Purple Camp provides lessons, expereinces for dependents

Published June 12, 2009
By 2nd Lt. Mark Lazane
1 Special Operations Wing Public Affairs

HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. -- Twenty-four teens from throughout the United States descended on Eglin Air Force Base and Hurlburt Field June 9 to begin a unique nine-day leadership camp on the two bases.

The teens, all military dependents from throughout the United States, participated in a host of survival and team-building exercises.

Fourteen of the teens were also selected to be counselors for the Teen Operation Purple Camp, which immediately followed the completion of the leadership camp.

The leadership camp is unique because Eglin AFB and Hurlburt Field are the only military organizations approved to conduct the program for its first year, said Del Mucci, the camp director for Hurlburt Field.

The teens were given a stark introduction to the course on the first morning as they were gathered in the Deployment Control Center to receive a "real-world" deployment briefing.

In addition, the teens all received first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation training to become certified first responders.

The camp included mountain climbing on a rock wall, kayaking, flag building and developing mobile campsites.

"In general terms, it's about helping our teens understand more about the military their parents serve in," said Mr. Mucci. "It also helps them to understand that there are many teens with the same military challenges of moves and deployments."

The end goal of the camp is to develop the teen's leadership skills.

One way this will be accomplished is by completing a community project that they can bring home with them and implement in their own communities.

"The camp helps them better understand that they serve too," said Mr. Mucci. "It helps them understand that they are an integral part of the family unit and that they will be called on to serve and support their family, especially during deployments of parents."