Serving Those Who Served Us

Lil – Mother – Camper 9 years old  

(Father, Air National Guard, Disabled)      

Thank you Camp Corral! Our daughter attended the Nova-4H Camp Corral last week. She really struggled with anxiety last year at school due to her dad’s injuries, and being with other kids who understand exactly how she feels without having to talk about it was HUGE for her! She’s already looking forward to next year!

I am a very big fan of summer camp for kids, especially kids that usually have no means to travel away from home, or children that are ill or have  other  difficult circumstances in their lives.

Camp Corral is a 501c(3) organization founded by the Golden Corral restaurant chain as an extension of their long history of support to veterans and their families.  In 2011 they launched their first camp to offer children of veterans and a life-changing week away.  It is a free summer camp for children of service members, with emphasis on children of parents that are wounded, injured, disabled or fallen military veterans. These camps are possible due to the restaurant corporation and to the generosity of donors that contribute to fund raising activities sponsored by the restaurants during April and May.

There are 21 locations across the U.S. holding camp sessions during summer 2016.  Camp offers opportunities for children to do things many have never done before.  Communing with nature and making new friends is only a part of it.  Military kids have the opportunity to share with and build relationships with other kids experiencing the same type of stress at home.

At Camp Corral children can participate in a wide variety of activities such as archery, fishing, ropes courses, swimming and horse back riding.  

The camp headquarters are in Raleigh, NC, but the activities are held at host camps owned by other organizations, such as the YMCA as well as church-based facilities.  Each camp site is accredited by the American Camp Association and has been selected to provide campers with a caring, nurturing and safe environment.  Staff is highly trained at each individual site.  

Volunteers and financial donations to the camps are very welcome.  The Camp Corral website has great information about their organization and how to choose a good camp for children.   www.campcorral.org