PEEC hosts retreat for military families

DINGMANS FERRY, PA — At the end of October, the Pocono Environmental Education Center (PEEC), in partnership with the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, hosted more than 70 military kids and their families during an Operation PurpleŽ Family Retreat.

In 2004, the Operation Purple program was created as a way to help military children struggling with the stresses of war. In 2009, the National Military Family Association piloted the Family Retreats program, which allows families the opportunity to strengthen and renew relationships, explore their natural surroundings and participate in fun family-focused activities.

This free four-day retreat paired participants with PEEC’s staff of environmental educators who guided families on nature hikes, teambuilding exercises and field study exercise to promote strength, resilience and family growth. The weekend was funded by the Sierra Club and the Sierra Club Foundation.

For more information about the National Military Family Association visit MilitaryFamily.org. For more information about the Sierra Club’s programs for the military visit sierraclub.org/military. For more information about PEEC visit peec.org.