Military families face unique challenges and struggles. As a way to help military families bond and reconnect when they return from a deployment, the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service is hosting two free military family camps this summer. The Deployment Support Camps were made possible by a grant UK Family and Consumer Sciences Extension received from the Department of Defense.

The camps are open to families from any state or branch of the military including active duty, Reserve and National Guard. Children must be between 5 and 18 years old. Preference is given to families of military members who have had at least one deployment and who have not previously attended a military family camp sponsored by the UK Cooperative Extension Service.

The first camp will be June 20-22 at Mammoth Cave National Park. At this camp, families can enjoy a variety of activities including canoeing and cave tours.

The second camp will take place July 11-13 at UK’s Robinson Forest in Breathitt County . At this camp families can enjoy activities such as hiking, mountain biking, wilderness survival and a creek walk.

Application packets are available online at http://www2.ca.uky.edu/hes/?p=590. Slots are expected to fill quickly.

UK will notify families once applications are received and again if they are accepted to attend a camp. Accepted families will receive a participation packet that includes packing lists, directions, camping facility forms, weekend agenda and other camp preparation materials. For additional information, contact Jan Childers, camp administrative support, at nfsjan@uky.edu.