Air Force children deploy to Emerald Coast

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Kristina Newton
  • 1st SOW Public Affairs
HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. --  Early in the morning on July 16, 25 teenagers entered the Hurlburt Field Deployment Control Center on their first step of a new, exciting adventure. They came from different bases and different backgrounds, but they have one thing in common, they are all children of Airmen. 

They are participating in the Air Force Adventure Camp, an eight-day, seven-night survival camp where the teens will live in field conditions and learn about team work. 

The Adventure Camp is aligned with Operation Purple, a National Military Family Association program that caters to all branches of military service. 

John Lilly, camp staff member, said the children don't know exactly where they are going or what they will be doing, but all the activities are designed to help them build teamwork and leadership skills. 

The day begins with a mission briefing with representatives from the medical, finance and the chaplain's offices. During the briefing, the campers are educated on some of the health risks they may face in the field as well as how to protect themselves from those risks. They are also told how there are many ways they may get extra pay and how the chaplain can help with all their spiritual needs while deployed. 

After the briefing, the campers head to the deployment line where they receive their protective gear before embarking on their first day in the wilderness. 

"The children will receive initial training on the use of field equipment and various other items such as kayaks, to prepare them for the challenges ahead," said Del Mucci, co-director of the regional Air Force Adventure Camp. 

Mr. Mucci said the campers will sleep in tent cots and dine on Meals, Ready to Eat. They will also participate in camp set up and teardown, daily physical training in the morning and team-building challenges during the day. The teens will do all this at four remote locations within the State Park system. 

"The bottom line is we want the kids to leave here having learned how to manage stress, build friendships and offer support to other dependent children," Mr. Mucci said.