Military Families United

Date Published: July 22, 2011

by Maria Counts - Coastal Point

Last week, 130 kids from areas of the U.S. ranging from Texas to Delaware, were able to spend a week at the Delaware National Guard Training Site in Bethany Beach for the 11th annual Children of the Delaware National Guard Camp — Camp Colwell.

“I was in the National Guard, and I always wanted to do something for our children,” explained Ernie Colwell, the camp’s founder and director.

The camp is for kids ages 9 to 17 who have relatives who are currently serving or have served as soldiers or airmen in the Delaware National Guard.

“It’s all military children,” said Colwell. “We wanted to have a fun learning experience. We wanted them to have a week away, just like all the other kids do.”

According to Colwell, Delaware is the only state that has a two-tiered camp program that allows for youths ages 13-17 to continue to attend camp as junior councilors.

“Once they come in, they don’t have any television, no radio, no handheld games. It’s all structured. It’s not a boot camp; it’s a fun thing. Some activities are done on-base and some off-base.”

Each day is pack with planned activities for the kids to do on and off the training site. All the kids get to visit a water park and James Farm, as well as doing archery and crafts and navigating a ropes course. Tio the Magician, from Dickens Parlour Theatre, made an appearance and volunteered his time to give a magic show for a group of campers.

In all, 60 people volunteered during the week, some of whom were once campers themselves.

“When I was a camper, it was fun. I got to meet a lot of new kids who I didn’t realize had parents in the military,” said Staff Sgt. David Rich, who was one of the first campers and now serves as a counselor. “It definitely helped me grow as an adult.”

Rich serves in the Air Force and currently does presidential security, as well as dignitary escorts. He noted that he only missed two of the 11 years of camp, due to military obligations.

“There’s no other reason to be back here but for these kids. A lot of them are living at home with their mom or dad who is deployed every so often. This is a great place for them to meet different kids who are dealing with the same exact thing.”

“It’s a great experience for the kids to see what their parents go through,” added fellow counselor Andriea Fenstermacher, who was also once a camper herself.

The camp also holds its own Military Day, during which the United States Air Force Honor Guard Drill Team performed on-site for the kids, before Adj. Gen. Frank Vavala flew in from New Castle on a Black Hawk helicopter to join the kids for a few hours.

“This is something I look forward to every year. It’s an opportunity to do something positive for our youth. It’s a great opportunity for all of us. This is a dream come true,” said Vavala.

The children were able to tour the Black Hawk, ask the pilots questions and even try on aviation life-support equipment vests and other gear.

“I think the camp is a great opportunity for the kids,” said Staff Sgt. Eric Fosty, one of the craft’s pilots.

The children were also able to participate in Camp Desert Kids, a program run by Military Families United, a nonprofit organization.

“The whole idea is to get them an idea of what deployment is like for their parents,” explained Community Affairs Manager Brynn Vollmer. “It’s so rewarding. It’s a cause that’s very near and dear to our hearts.”The Camp Desert Kids program is designed specifically for children and has various educational stations that they make their way through.

The children had their pictures taken for a “passport” and were then briefed on the culture and customs in Afghanistan, as well as the geography.

“It’s something the children want. It’s not just a place on a map. They want to see it,” said Vollmer.

The kids are taken into “Afghanistan,” where they were able to try local food (tea, naan bread and rice), vote on their favorite food and try on the local garb.

FULL ARTICLE HERE