CRISTA Camps' Operation Xtreme program to help record number of military families in 2013

Scholarships provide week of camp for children of military families

CRISTA Camps, part of the CRISTA Ministries family, is entering the final fundraising phase for its Operation Xtreme camps for children of military families. Fundraising to date in 2013 has raised nearly $160,000, which has paved the way for 400 kids to experience an unforgettable week of summer camp at one of the two CRISTA Camps properties: Island Lake in Poulsbo, Wash. and Miracle Ranch in Port Orchard, Wash.

“Children of deployed military families often miss out on the chance to be a kid,” said Doug Chase, vice president of CRISTA Camps. “We’ve created Operation Xtreme to honor these families and to provide children with an opportunity to experience summer camp. Operation Xtreme is a chance for our community to share its generosity and make a difference in the lives of local kids.”

With the weeklong Operation Xtreme camps (June 16-22 at Island Lake and June 17-21 at Miracle Ranch) nearing capacity, day camp offerings have been added in an effort to give more military kids the chance to experience camp and are open to boys and girls from first through sixth grade. CRISTA Camps is working to raise an additional $40,000 before the end of June to ensure another 256 children of military families can experience Operation Xtreme in 2013. One hundred percent of donations made go directly to sending these children to camp.

In addition to traditional summer camp activities, Operation Xtreme provides participants with tools they need to cope with stresses that are often associated with being a child in a military family, including separation, frequent relocation and difficulty in school. Counselors and chaplains are an integral part of both Island Lake and Miracle Ranch Camps and provide an added support system for the kids.

To make a donation to Operation Xtreme, nominate a deserving child or find out more, visit Send a Kid.  Additional information about CRISTA Camps or call 877-723-4373.

About CRISTA Camps

For more than 50 years, CRISTA Camps has been delivering an outstanding camp experience to hundreds of thousands of boys and girls of all ages. Both CRISTA Camps waterfront properties, Island Lake near Silverdale and Miracle Ranch near Gig Harbor, are set on more than 100 acres and feature an array of activities led by trained Christian staff.