Military families in the United States are not the only ones affected by the war in Iraq. And that is what a new program called Camo Camp is all about.

Camo Camp will offer youths attending the Central States Fair an opportunity to learn about military families in South Dakota, as well as families in Iraq, according to Kyli Zenk, summer intern for Operation: Military Kids program, a nationwide initiative designed to provide support to the children of families affected by U.S. wars in the Middle East.

According to Zenk, Camo Camp has been touring throughout South Dakota, scheduled at more than 10 county fairs, 4-H Achievement Days and the upcoming South Dakota State Fair. The program will be at Central States Fair in Rapid City from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 21.

The South Dakota National Guard, South Dakota Cooperative Extension Service, South Dakota American Legion, the Boys and Girls Clubs of America, Child and Youth Services, the National Association of Child Care Resources and Referral Agencies and the Military Child Education Coalition work together in this program, which is paid for by a grant from the United States Department of Defense. But Zenk said the program is meant to appeal to an audience beyond military kids.

"We want to reach a variety of young people," she said. "The goal is to offer South Dakota youth the opportunity to understand and empathize with other people, especially their peers whose parents are deployed, and also their peers in Iraq."

The camp consists of five stations that challenge youths ages 5 to 12 to participate in and finish a military related task:

Station 1 is an obstacle course set in a desert scene to simulate Iraq.

Station 2 is where youths learn how to use the phonetic military alphabet to transfer a message.

Station 3 gives participants the opportunity to talk with military veterans, recruiters or guardsman about what the National Guard is all about and will also give kids the opportunity to see military vehicles close-up.

Station 4 is where a geography and cultural lesson will be offered, in which participants will learn what it might be like to be a youth in Iraq.

Station 5 includes a video camera where children can record a thank-you that will be sent overseas to a South Dakota National Guard soldier.

At the end of the camp, participants will receive a set of "dog tags."

Zenk said that the camp will take about 30 minutes to complete; however, youths are encouraged to come and go and are not required to finish all five stations in one visit.

"A lot of our participants have been 4-H kids who might have to leave to show an animal, and then come back and pick up the camp where they left off," she said. "We're pretty flexible."

Participants may also go through Camo Camp in groups.

Zenk, who will be entering her junior year of college at South Dakota State University in Brookings, is not from a military family and has never served in the military herself, but she believes that Camo Camp is relevant to all families, military or not.

"We're trying to encourage empathy for fellow South Dakotans, Americans, and most of all, other cultures. It's just an important part of growing up," she said.

If you go

What: Camo Camp

When: 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 21

Where: Central States Fair, Rapid City

Objective: To offer youths an opportunity to learn about military families in South Dakota, as well as families in Iraq.