Camp offers children taste of deployed life

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Matthew Lotz
  • 31st Fighter Wing/Public Affairs
AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy --  More than 40 children participated in a mock deployment in honor of November's Month of the Military Family Nov. 17-18 at the Aviano Youth Center in Area 1.

The base hosted the two-day camp for a group of 9- to 15-year-olds to give them a feel of what their military family members go through during a deployment.

"This mock deployment demonstrated and honored the commitment and sacrifices made by the families of service members every day," said Rebecca White, camp coordinator. "What a great opportunity for the youth to get a taste of what their parents experience."

Upon arriving, the children were assigned to a team with an older child acting as a flight commander for the duration of the camp.

Children began the deployment camp at the personnel deployment function line, receiving their orders, military credit and identification cards from 31st Force Support Squadron. The children were then briefed by the 31st Operations Support Squadron about their mock mission to New York City to provide relief for Hurricane Sandy victims.

After receiving a few tips from the chapel and public health staff members, they headed to legal services to complete wills, leaving chores to their siblings and any money in their piggy banks to their parents. The troops then dropped off their bags to the 31st Logistics Readiness Squadron and loaded onto the bus.

Next, the children were dropped off at the Dragon Fitness Center on Area F, being used to simulate their New York City deployment destination, where they unloaded their bags and found a spot in a tent. After a quick lunch, they were given demonstrations by the 31st Security Forces Squadron and 31st Civil Engineer Squadron before rotating through a series of events such as physical training, marching, flag making, demonstrations from explosive ordnance disposal unit, combative training and an obstacle course. Once all teams finished rotating through events, it was time for dinner.

The first day wrapped up with dinner and a shower before hitting the bunks at lights-out.

The second day kicked off with the young troops being awoken by the sound of reveille at 6 a.m. They were given limited time to get ready for breakfast and marched to and from the La Dolce Vita dining facility. Afterwards, they practiced additional facing movements one last time before loading the bus to return to "home station," -- the Aviano Youth Center gymnasium.

As each team arrived and entered the gym, they were greeted by parents and siblings with welcome home signs and performed marching songs representing their team's color. Each deployer received a coin and certificate for completing the camp, before returning to their parents.

"My sons had a wonderful time and learned so much," said Amanda Gable, mother of two children who took part in the camp. "They packed so much in and it really gave them a taste of the life their military parents lead. [The camp] did such a good job of opening up new lines of communication and made it so fun to talk and compare their shared similar experiences. Even my husband enjoyed being on the other side at the welcome home!"

Nearly 90 percent of the children's parents had recently returned from a deployment, said White. This past weekend, 100 percent of the kids were given a small taste of what their military family members experience before, during and after a deployment.