By Marissa Pierre

Summer is quickly approaching, which means that thousands of military kids across the nation are looking forward to a fun-filled week at Camp Corral. This free, one-of-a-kind summer camp for children of wounded, injured or fallen veterans gives military kids the opportunity to just be kids, away from the challenges of military life.

Camp Corral partners with accredited 4H and YMCA camps across the U.S. to offer military kids ages eight to 15 endless fun in the great outdoors. Campers participate in activities such as horseback riding, rock climbing and canoeing, while building relationships with other kids who share similar military backgrounds. Since 2011, Camp Corral has provided more than 10,000 military children this “week of a lifetime” at 23 partner camps in 19 states.

Last summer, Camp Corral partnered with the YMCA’s Triangle Y Ranch Camp in Oracle to host its first ever Arizona camp session. More than 150 children from Arizona and nearby states attended the camp, where they formed lifelong friendships and honored their parents’ sacrifices on “Hero Day.” Triangle Y Ranch Camp will welcome Camp Corral campers again this summer from July 3 to 8.

“We are very excited for another summer to serve our nation’s young heroes,” said Mary Beth Hernandez, chief executive officer of Camp Corral. “Military children are so special, and it is a privilege to be able to provide them with life changing camp experiences.”

With its camp sessions growing in demand, Camp Corral hopes to serve thousands more children in the coming years. The nonprofit recently launched a Fifth Anniversary Campaign with the goal to raise funds to send more military kids to camp next summer.

The 2016 camp season kicks off on June 5 and concludes August 20. For more information on Camp Corral, camp sessions, or to make a donation to the Fifth Anniversary Campaign, visit www.campcorral.org or call 855-605-1267.

Written by Marissa Pierre.