April is the Month of the Military Child, and at Camp Southern Ground, we’re sending a HUGE shoutout to the brave, strong, and amazing military kids out there! On April 15, Purple Up Day, we wear purple to show our support and appreciation for these awesome kids—because being part of a military family takes courage, flexibility, and heart.
Why purple? It’s the color that represents all branches of the military. Mixing Army green, Coast Guard blue, Air Force blue, Marine red, and Navy blue = PURPLE. Pretty cool, right?
How You Can Celebrate Purple
Here are a few fun and easy purple-themed crafts perfect for celebrating Purple Up Day or just embracing all things purple—great for kids at camp, in the classroom, or at home!
1. Purple Kindness Rocks
Paint small rocks with purple paint, then write encouraging words or messages on them like “You’re brave,” “You belong,” or “Thank you!” Leave them around camp or in your neighborhood as a surprise for others to find.
2. Purple Friendship Bracelets
Use purple beads, string, or embroidery floss to make friendship bracelets. Have campers exchange them or give one to a military-connected friend. You can even add alphabet beads to spell out words like “friend,” “hope,” or “hero.”
3. Purple Handprint Banner
Make a collaborative banner where each child dips their hand in purple paint and adds their handprint with their name or a message. It’s a beautiful visual showing that everyone’s support matters.
Meet two of our incredible military families who are part of the Camp Southern Ground story! The Dudley family (left) has been with us since the very beginning, growing alongside our camp over the years. And last summer, we welcomed the Vinci family (right) for the first time—read about their life-changing experience here »
Let’s Talk About It
Here are some questions to think about or talk about with your family or class:
• What do you think it’s like to be a military kid?
• Why do we celebrate and support them?
• How can we be good friends to kids who may move around a lot?
Everyone Belongs at Camp Southern Ground
Military kids are a big part of our camp family, and we’re proud to create a place where every kid belongs. Whether you’re military-connected or just love showing kindness, Purple Up Day is a chance to stand together, support each other, and celebrate what makes each of us different—and amazing.
Want to do more?
Donate $25 or more to celebrate different and support inclusion through the month of April and you (and a camper!) will receive a Camp Southern Ground friendship bracelet! Learn more about What Different Can Do »