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Here's a great article I found at www.northwestnavigator.com: -- “Attention on deck!” “Sir, yes, sir!” Children stand at attention, silently awaiting their next command. These recruits are not bearing M-16s, malemuke swords or even deck-swabbing mops. Their weapons are backyard waterguns, their tattoos, if any, are temporary stick-ons and their cadences have a decidedly high pitch. Still, these children’s knowledge of the military and its associated lifestyle abounds to that of the “average kid.” These faces are those of the participants of Kid’s Camp Deployment, a day camp held April 1 at NAS Whidbey Island, sponsored by the Fleet and Family Support Center and Morale, Welfare and Recreation.  The children are the sons and daughters of those individuals who serve our country. Their parents’ lifestyle of salutes, cross-country moves and six-month deployments is just as much the children’s as the people wearing the uniform. “It might be the parent that is in the military, but in reality, it is the entire family unit that’s signed up,” says Evelyn Montanez, a Navy wife whose daughter participated in the camp. Kids Camp Deployment gives military children an opportunity to share with their peers the feelings and experiences that go along with being military family members. The camp took kids through many of the same footsteps as their parents, taking a solemn oath to support their country, participating in physical training with a run and venturing to the flight line to explore the tools of their parents’ trade. Other activities included decorating pillowcases with loving and patriotic messages and singing songs about the faraway places their parents may go. The day’s grand finale came as a surprise to campers. Upon return from their “deployment” to hangar one, they entered the gym to find their parents awaiting their “homecoming,” waving flags and pompoms, holding balloons and cheering their arrival. Young eyes lit up as they saw that the celebration was just for them. During the homecoming ceremony, Capt. Tom Slais, CVWP Deputy Commodore, assured children that they were deserving of the fanfare, because of their important role in supporting the military. “Thank you for your service to our country. You’re part of the Navy and you serve just like your parents, but in different ways.” Seeing the cycle of deployment from their military parent’s eyes gave kids a taste of the feelings their parents may have when they deploy and understand their own role in supporting them. Senior Chief Todd Boelke, who was there to welcome his daughter home from a day at camp, was preparing for his own deployment in two days. “Having this experience gives her an appreciation for what we go through when we deploy. Hopefully, seeing it for herself will make the impact a little less difficult for her.” His wife, Masume, agreed. “She feels a lot better now, knowing that daddy’s going to be safe,” she said. Many volunteers assisted in making the day camp the best it could be. They agreed that the program was a great learning experience for the kids. “When I have kids of my own, I hope that there are programs like this for them,” said AMAN Kendra Williams. The Fleet and Family Support Center provides individual and group deployment support throughout the year to military members and their families. Services include pre-deployment briefs, mid-deployment briefs for families, return and reunion and individual augmentee education. Call (360) 257-NAVY to arrange an appointment or learn about future classes. http://www.northwestnavigator.com/index.php/navigator/regionalnews/deployment_camp_puts_kids_in_parents_shoes/