BROWNWOOD – The Texas AgriLife Extension Service, part of The Texas A&M University System, is collaborating with Golden Corral Restaurants to host a Camp Corral July 15-20 at the Texas 4-H Conference Center in Brownwood.
Camp Corral is sponsored by Golden Corral restaurants in cooperation with National 4-H, the American Camp Association and the cooperative extension system of land-grant universities throughout the U.S. The camps are all-inclusive and free to children 8 to 15 years old from military families in which one or more family members has been wounded or disabled during service to their country.
“Golden Corral is proud to sponsor Camp Corral, a free, fun-filled ‘week of a lifetime’ for the children of military families,” said Ted Fowler, president and CEO, Golden Corral. “In continuing to give back to the community and to honor our military heroes, Camp Corral is an experience that can make a difference in the lives of these military children who often face challenges of their own. The kids can participate in some new outdoor activities, meet new friends and just be kids.”
The Texas 4-H Conference Center is one of nine sites in the nation that will host a Camp Corral this summer, said Dr. Darlene Locke, center director and camp coordinator.
“It’s our pleasure to participate in Camp Corral and to offer the 4-H center as a location for one of these wonderful camps that give something back to the military families that have sacrificed so much for us,” Locke said. “The center has a swimming pool and other amenities. The kids can participate in things like target sports, water sports, arts and crafts activities, dancing, and social and personal development activities. Plus, we’re near the geographic center of the state, so it should be reasonably convenient for all qualifying Texas military families.”
The 78-acre conference and retreat center is owned by AgriLife Extension and is open year-round, Locke said. Several 4-H youth camps will also be held throughout the summer, and the facility is available the remainder of the year to host corporate meetings, team-building workshops, family and class reunions, and meetings.
Locke said along with the traditional camp experience, there also will be military appreciation activities involving Operation: Military Kids, part of AgriLife Extension’s 4-H/Army Youth Development Project.
“OMK is collaborating with the Texas 4-H center and working each branch of the military to present youth programming and to be involved with kids during some camp activities,” said David Wright, AgriLife Extension program specialist, military 4-H liaison and Texas Operation: Military Kids project director.
Wright said Operation: Military Kids will be working with the service branches to bring in military equipment, as well as to provide educational opportunities related to technology, science and community service.
“Texas Military 4-H and Operation: Military Kids would like to thank the Golden Corral company for their vision, dedication and support of our military families,” he said.
Locke said the 4-H center will provide an excellent location for exploration and participation in outdoor activities.
“The center is on the west side of Lake Brownwood on a plateau overlooking the lake,” she said. “There are rocky slopes covered with scrub oak and native plum thickets line the nature trails and roadways.
“It’s a short walk to the lake, and the area is full of wildlife — deer, raccoons, roadrunners, wild turkey, armadillos and more. It’s a great place to get away, and to learn and play.”
Registration for the camp has begun and space is limited to the first 195 qualifying youth.
To register, go to http://campcorral.org/ and click on “Apply” at the top of the home page.
“We’re delighted to have this opportunity to give back to military families by providing a venue and support for a Camp Corral this summer,” Locke said.
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