Camp Walker Comes Together for Military Kids!: Purple Up Day Camp Walker 2025 Celebration

USO booth with smiling volunteers serving snacks under canopy. A child in shorts stands in front, holding a snack. Bright, cheerful setting.

The Life of a Military Child: Resilience and Sacrifice Across the Globe

Worldwide, there are approximately 1.6 million military children, members of families that typically move every 2 to 3 years. It makes sense, then, that dandelions are the emblem of military children. Like the dandelion seed dancing in the breeze, military children board flights around the world and bloom wherever they land. Just as for military-connected adults, the lives of our youth come with their own set of unique challenges. They are asked to sacrifice a great deal, must hone their ability to adapt to different environments, and do their very best to support a service member parent who may be serving elsewhere for long stretches of time.

Month of the Military Child 2025: A Global Celebration of Military Kids

The month of April is the Month of the Military Child and is celebrated at military installations around the globe. It is a crucial time to remember the bravery, resilience, and heart of the youngest members of our community. This year, celebrations around the world included the Pentagon’s “Bring Your Child to Work Day”, USAG Bavaria’s Kinderfest offering the opportunity to have your photo taken in the Falcon Team’s Helicopter, and Fort Knox putting on a school talent show.

People practice archery on a sunny field with buildings in the background. Bows are blue. The mood is focused and engaged.

Purple Up Day Camp Walker 2025: Honoring Military Kids in Daegu

This April, the Daegu Middle High School sports field was abounding with youthful joy. Numerous organizations came together to celebrate Purple Up Day – honoring the military children of Area IV in Daegu, South Korea.

At USAG Daegu, the organizations of Area IV wanted to show how much we appreciate the children of our community during Purple Up Day. Hours before, tables were set up in the shade with snacks, drinks, and crafts. Sports equipment was spread out across the field. Volunteers tirelessly worked to make sure their representative organizations had everything they needed.

For our young guests of honor, the adventure started with a jump around in the bounce house to bopping music, both provided by the installation's Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation’s Outdoor Recreation department. After working up enough energy, many dove right out of the bounce house to roll straight onto the field to play one of the numerous games conducted by volunteers from the Better Opportunities for Single Soldiers organization. Whether it was basketball or taking part in the obstacle course, the choice was theirs.

Child in purple shirt at a table with an adult, near two yellow drink coolers labeled "Water" and "Gatorade." American Red Cross banner.

After all that exercise, it was time to enjoy a cooling cup of water or Gatorade, provided by the American Red Cross. All were gifted a goody bag from Army Community Services, filled to the brim with prizes for everyone, including their own beautiful king or queen crowns. To cool down for the afternoon, our guests could then sit in the shade at the Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation’s Library crafting table to explore their creativity. Having worked up a sufficient appetite, it was then the perfect time to head over to the USO Walker’s table, where kids big and small could each pick up a bag of fresh popcorn and an ice cream float.

Topping off the entire day, everyone used that last bit of energy to take part in a giant group game of Red Light, Green Light, sprinting across the Daegu Middle High School sports fields. It was an event filled with water hose fights, beautifully made crafts, friends playing in the bright Daegu sunlight, and so much more.

Purple Up Day Camp Walker 2025 was a vibrant reminder of the community’s commitment to honoring military children and their unique journey.

Four people smiling under a canopy at an American Red Cross booth with a yellow Gatorade cooler and various supplies on the table.

Behind the Scenes of Purple Up Day Camp Walker 2025: Interview with Jo Velazquez

Purple Up was a combined effort by USO Walker, Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation’s Outdoor Recreation and Library departments, American Red Cross, Army Community Services, Better Opportunities for Single Soldiers, and DoDEA’s Daegu Middle High School. We sat down with Jo Velazquez, the Center Operations Specialist at USO Walker, to discuss the preparation of the event, the day itself, and the impact of the military child.

Q. How long did the planning process take? What did it look like?

A. We started talking about the event at the end of February. We had to think about the what, the where, the when, and the how, all while keeping the goal in mind: to make the kids feel valued and appreciated, and of course to let them have fun. We had to think about the food, the cost… But our biggest worry was whether people would attend.

As far as the planning goes, we wanted to invite all the organizations. We all support the same community, and we wanted everyone to be a part of it. One of our volunteers, Diane, had mentioned bringing Band-Aids to the event, and we knew that was something the Red Cross could help with. We thought about what each organization could bring to the table, and what we [at the USO] could contribute.

The date was chosen based on when the kids finished school. It kept them occupied and happy on such a hot day. It also meant that the parents could relax a little, too, before vacation started.

Q. Which part of the day was most memorable for you?

A. Spraying the kids with the hose! And playing Red Light Green Light at the very end.

Children and adults engage in crafts at a white table under a blue canopy. Purple shirts and a plush toy are visible. The setting is outdoors.

Q. What does Month of the Military Child mean to you?

A. It makes you take a step back and remember as a service member, spouse, parent… You’ve got kids who also have to deal with the changes and adjustments. Changes in friends, environment… they have to adjust to everything changing in their lives. It’s not just the spouse doing the sacrificing, it’s also the children.

Girl making crafts at an outdoor table with a man in a red shirt and hat. Supplies and colorful pinwheels are visible; sunny setting.

Year-Round USO Camp Walker Programs Supporting Military Kids

Q. Camp Walker USO has multiple programs year-round. Could you tell me a little about the programs specifically created for the little ones?

A. During the school year, we have “Finally Friday” where we celebrate the kids by handing them a small snack. We start at the elementary school bus stop [at Camp Walker] and then head up to the middle-high school. We get a bunch of smiles from that, we love it. Their expressions change from tiredness at the end of the day to “COOKIES!”.

For our younger ones, aged 0 to 5, we have “Story Time” where we read a book together and then create a craft. They get to go on an adventure through the book. Then, with the craft, they get to explore their senses through their hands and exercise their motor skills. This event also allows parents to relax, too, and meet other military spouses.

During summer, we have “Crafternoons”, which is tailored towards kids of all ages. They get to create a craft, eat a snack, meet and mingle with their friends… It’s an opportunity for them to meet and make friends with others; the parents get that same opportunity, too.

Group of people holding USO and BOSS banners, smiling outdoors. Pavilion and greenery in background, colorful bounce house visible. Energetic mood.

Showing Gratitude and Getting Involved: Volunteer at USO Camp Walker Events

A huge thank you goes out to the organizations that took part in Purple Up. And to our military kids… thank you so much for everything you do!

Purple Up is just one of many programs hosted by the USO. Some of the most popular programs include the biannual baby shower, “Coffee Connections” for military spouses, “Lunch on the Go” at Camp Walker, and “Motor Pool Monday” at Camp Carroll. To see which events are planned for the month, please visit the Camp Walker USO Facebook page or visit our center. We are located in Building 318, across from Hilltop Restaurant.

Area IV has two USO locations, one each at Camp Walker and Camp Carroll. Both locations have a variety of amenities for active-duty service members, retirees, and their families. This includes free snacks, PCs with printing access, gaming consoles, a lounge and dining area, calls home, local area information, and more.

Even if you aren’t in the Daegu area, your local USO has amazing programming tailored to support your community.

Volunteers are the backbone of the USO. You, too, can volunteer with us at events such as Purple Up. It is a great way of getting involved in the community, meeting new people, developing skills, and looks excellent on a resume! If interested, please stop by our center at Camp Walker or your installation!

Head to our website for more information.

USO Volunteer Community Website: https://volunteers.uso.org