By SARA LILLEY PHELPS

Marketing Director – Eastern 4-H Center

The Eastern 4-H Center, located along the shores of Bulls Bay and the Albemarle Sound near Columbia, hosted Golden Corral’s national Camp Corral program during the week of July 3-8.

As one of 21 sites selected nationwide, the Eastern 4-H Center welcomed more than 100 campers from many states including North Carolina, Virginia, Tennessee, Georgia, Florida, Pennsylvania and Arizona.

The vision behind Camp Corral is one where kids, ages 8 to 15, are free to be kids, far away from the day-to-day challenges they face as military children with change and loss.

The reality of a parent being deployed away from home for over a year is the norm for children from military families. And for 87 percent of Camp Corral’s campers, a parent coming back injured, disabled or not coming back at all is their reality. More than 80 percent of campers come from veteran families, where resources are even more limited.

Camp Corral is more than a fun week away from home, but an experience to build supportive relationships with others in similar circumstances, be challenged by new adventures, grow in their independence and truly enjoy “the week of a lifetime.”

During the week at the Eastern 4-H Center, campers paddled Bulls Bay, crabbed along the pier’s edge, swam in the pool, climbed on the rock wall, honed targeting skills on the archery range, toasted s’mores around the campfire circle and more.

Camp Corral is strengthening military families, one child at a time. The mission of Camp Corral is to transform the lives of the children of wounded, disabled and fallen military heroes by providing a unique summer camp experience.

Since its 2011 founding by Golden Corral’s James Maynard and his daughter, Easter, Camp Corral has grown more than 700 percent. More than 10,000 children have been served and the program has expanded to 21 camps in 19 states.

Camp Corral is a 501(c)3 tax-exempt, non-profit corporation and relies on donations to fund its camp program and operational costs. In partnership with the Disabled American Veterans (DAV), Golden Corral continues as the founding sponsor of Camp Corral by generously supporting the program through its in-store fundraising campaign. To make a donation, visit www.campcorral.org or mail donations to Camp Corral, 801 N. West Street, Raleigh, NC 27603.

The Eastern 4-H Center is owned and operated by North Carolina State University as a summer camp and year ‘round conference center. For more information about the Eastern 4-H Center, please contact Sara Phelps at 252-797-4800 or email slphelps@ncsu.edu.