The Hawaii Operation: Military Kids Family Camp is intended to provide much needed time for Reserve, Guard and Active Duty families to connect after a deployment or before an impending deployment. Most of the costs assocated with attending camp, such as food, lodging and activities are paid for by Operation: Military kids, so we are able to offer the camp at affordable rates for families. While each location of camp is slightly different, some activities you might expect to do include archery, swimming, crafts, kayaking, hiking, ropes course, climbing wall, campfires, keiki-only groups and special events.
At camp you'll have opportunities to participate in fun activities, show your creative talents, eat great buffet style meals, get to now other military and local families and meet our trained staff, or simply relax and enjoy the beautiful surroundings.
Accomodations are generally family cabins or dorm style rooms that you will share with at least one other family. Most have bathrooms and showers located in the cabin.
Description of Camps:
Each location is slightly different to each other, but overall scope of the family camps remains constant. Over the course of the weekend families will have the opportunity to bond, reconnect and spend time together doing outdoor activities such as hiking, kayaking, fishing, exploring volcanoes and a challenging rope course. Camps located off the island of Oahu will focus on Guard and Reserve families residing on these islands and will, in some cases, require tent camping and/or on site food prep or catering.
YMCA of Honolulu with staff from Camp Erdman will be directing ALL the camps, with signifiant input on OMK programming from the OMK Management Team: Claire Nakatsuka (4-H/Military Liaison), Carmen Golay (Military 4-H & OMK Coordinator), Ryan Yung (OMK Coordinator) & Art Isaki (JFSAP). Leading these efforts from the YMCA are Peter McGregor, Roy Harriman and Josh Heimowitz
The following dates and locations have been reserved for May-September 2009.
| August 14-16, 2009
Island: Oahu
Camp Location: YMCA Camp Erdman
69-385 Farrington Hwy.
Waialua, HI 96791
808-637-4615
Family Camp APP- Oahu
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July 24-26, 2009
Island: Maui
Camp Location: Camp Keanae
13375 Hana Hwy
Keanae, HI 96708
808-248-8355
Family Camp APP- Maui
|
September 11-13, 2009
Island: Hawaii (Big Island)
Camp Location: Kilauea Military Camp (KMC)
P.O. Box 48
99-252 Crater Rim Drive
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
HI, 96718
Family Camp APP- Big Island
|
August 7-9, 2009
Island: Kauai
Camp Location: YWCA Camp Slogget
3094 Elua Street
Lihue, HI 96766
808-245-5959
Family Camp APP- Kauai
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Questions regarding camp can be directed to: Carmen Golay 808-956-4125 |
Frequently Asked Questions:
Who can attend family camp?
Any active duty or activated reserve member of the Army, Air Force, Navy, USMC, National Guard, Air National Guard, or Coast Guard and is a family that has in the past 12 months been through a deployment, or is preparing for one, or a family who currently has a family member deployed. There are no age limitations on camp; infants are welcome but there is no "child care" at camp.
Who is "family?"
Mother, Father, Brother(s), Sister(s), or an individual that has legal power of attorney to act as "parents."
Who do I make the check out to?
"RCUH"
Where do I get the release form?
Do NOT get your release forms from the YMCA. Release forms will be located on our website. You will be notified by one of the OMK staff members with information and a password for the forms.
How many release forms do I have need to fill out?
There are two different release forms- OMK and YMCA. You need to fill out both forms for each member of the family.
When are camps held?
Operation: Military Kids is planning camps for Oahu, Kauai, Maui and Big Island from March 2009 through September. Check website below for up-to-date information.
Who runs the camps?
OMK is a cooperative effort with many partners, including 4-H, but the YMCA Camp Erdman play a critical role in all family camps. OMK and the YMCA understand the need for youths, and their families to have time together in a supportive environment to rest and recover from the stress of a recent deployment, or to spend quality time together due to a current deployment or someone is soon to be deployed.
Who pays for camp?
Families pay a modest fee, and Operation: Military Kids (OMK) pays the rest. OMK is the U.S. Army's collaborative effort with America's communities to support the children and youth impacted by deployment, in ALL branches. This initiative was launched in April 2005. Operation: Military Kids, as part of the 4-H/Army Youth Development Project, is a vital part of the Army Integrated Family Support Network (AIFSN) delivery system.
