May is a month of dual significance: it’s both Military Appreciation Month and Mental Health Awareness Month. At Camp Southern Ground, these two missions are deeply intertwined. Every day, we see the invisible weight carried by children of military families and, every day, we work to lighten that load. Here, Chief Program Officer Matty Cook shares how our summer camp model and year-round programming honor military-connected children and prioritize their emotional well-being. Camp Southern Ground is more than camp, it’s a lifeline. Here’s how, and why, it matters.
A Place Where Kids Feel Understood
“Back home, I’m the only military kid in town. But here at camp, everyone understands what it’s like to lose a parent. Everyone knows what it’s like to move around a lot. I. LOVE. CAMP. SOUTHERN. GROUND.” – 2024 Camper (Camp Southern Ground/Camp Corral)
Military children can face many challenges, including frequent relocations, long deployments, and the emotional toll of service-related trauma. About 50% of the kids we serve each year come from military-connected families and everything we do is built to support them with connection, community, care, and something many have never had before: a space to feel seen, safe, and supported. Our inclusive, purpose-driven camp environment brings together kids from shared experiences, helping them realize they’re not alone. Here, they’re surrounded by peers who ‘get it’ – and that changes everything.Through outdoor adventures, challenges, and reflection, campers gain confidence, learn to express themselves, and form lasting friendships. Mental wellness is built into the experience as a natural part of growing stronger together.
The impact of our camp model is clear. Parents report positive changes in their children – more confidence, better communication, and stronger emotional regulation. Kids return home feeling more capable and connected.
“This is mental health support in action – with joy and without stigma.” – Summer Camp Program Coordinator, Nitya Bhattarai
Warrior Family Camp: Growing Together
Mental wellness isn’t just an individual journey – it’s a family one. That’s why we offer Warrior Family Camp for families where at least one parent/guardian is a veteran or active-duty member of the U.S. military. Over a long weekend, families unplug, reconnect, and strengthen relationships. They leave with stronger bonds and real tools for emotional resilience. For many, it’s a turning point; for everyone, it’s a chance to pause, reset, and grow together.
Strength Through Partnership: Camp Corral
We’re proud to partner with Camp Corral, a national nonprofit dedicated to serving children of wounded, ill, and fallen military service members. This partnership helps us reach even more families and ensure that every child who needs support can access life-changing camp experiences.
Want to help? Here’s how you can get involved:
- Donate to support a military child’s summer camp experience
- Share this post to raise awareness
- Nominate a family or register your own for Warrior Family Camp