Organizers of “Operation Purple,” a week-long summer camp for military children dealing with war-related stress, didn't think they could fill all 130 spots when they brought it to Hawaii for the first time last year. Then they received 500 applications, more than any other Operation Purple camp in the country.

Now in its second year, the YMCA's Camp Erdman in Waialua is filled to capacity with 233 campers, all children of parents that either have been or will be deployed.
The program offers everyday summer camp activities like swimming, sports and an obstacle course. But it also provides counseling and forums so the campers, ages 7 to 15, can share how they feel and realize they’re not alone, said family camp director Roy Harriman.
"Other kids don’t have these issues,” he said. “They’re not fearful for their parents like these kids are.”
The camp celebrated Military Experience Day today, which included presentations from the U.S. Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps and Navy.
Campers and counselors rotated between several different demonstrations that featured military canines, rescue boats and helicopters, and physical training games. An Army sergeant who recently returned from his third tour in Iraq answered campers' questions about the military or being in a war zone.