Purple Star Schools
Pocono Mountain School District has received the designation of a Purple Star School by the Pennsylvania Department of Education.
Purple Star Schools is a program that supports military-connected children as they relocate to new schools due to a parent's change in duty station. This designation is given to schools for their commitment to serving active-duty military families and students.
Click on Graphic to Access Video Message from
Dr. Elizabeth Robison, Superintendent of Schools
MILITARY FAMILY RESOURCES
At Pocono Mountain School District (PMSD), we equip students with the proper resources to help them succeed.
There are 1.2 million students in U.S. schools with a parent or caretaker deployed for active duty within the U.S. military. PMSD is honored to support the men and women and the families serving in our nation’s Armed Forces. Military-connected children are those whose parents or caretakers are service members on active duty, and in the National Guard and Reserves. In addition to the everyday struggles, students might face the unique hardships of being a military-connected child, which can take a toll on their mental health and education. PMSD wants to supply military-connected families with resources and assistance to combat those trials.
Military Families School Liaison for Pocono Mountain School District:
Dr. Catherine Sweeney
Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction
(570)839-7121 ext. 10161
- Pa. Dept. of Education launches Purple Star Program
- Find Your Neighborhood School
- Register a Student for a District School
- Required Immunization Information
- Understand Your Child's Transportation to School
- Standardized Dress Code Policy for Students
- Educational Opportunity for Military Children PMSD Board Policy #254
RESOURCES for MILITARY FAMILIES
- Military Interstate Children's Compact Commission (MIC3) is a nationwide partnership designed to assist families with some of the challenges faced by children of military families.
- MIC3 Summary with Provisions - You Tube
- Guide for Parents, School Officials and Public Administrators
- The Military Child Education Coalition (MCEC) provides training and resources for military-connected parents.
- SchoolQuest provides military families support to assist with the challenge of changing schools.
- Military OneSource connects military families with numerous resources to assist with their needs.
- The Clearinghouse for Military Family Readiness at Penn State identified some of the most relevant, useful, and accessible resources across multiple topics, such as military culture, deployments, parental injury, student grief, and reintegration.
- A Military Family's Guide to School Transitions
- Military Child Care
- Military Tutor
- Discounted SAT/ACT Preparation
- Student Aid for Military Families
- 4-H Summer Camp Scholarships
The National Military Family Association (NMFA) has officially released the schedule and locations for Operation Purple Camp 2026! Operation Purple Camp offers a free, week-long summer camp experience for military-connected children from all service branches. The program is designed to help "purple" kids connect with peers who understand the unique challenges of military life—including deployments, frequent moves, and reintegration—all while enjoying high-energy outdoor adventures.
2026 Camp Locations There is a diverse range of host sites across the country this year. Please find the 2026 locations below:
- Arkansas: Camp Aldersgate (Little Rock)
- California: Camp Redwood Glen (Scotts Valley)
- Connecticut: Channel 3 Kids Camp (Andover)
- Florida: Camp Boggy Creek (Eustis)
- Georgia: Camp Twin Lakes (Rutledge)
- Hawaii: Camp Erdman (Oahu)
- Indiana: Jameson Camp (Indianapolis)
- Maryland: Echo Hill Outdoor School (Worton)
- North Carolina: Victory Junction (Randleman)
- Texas: Camp John Marc (Meridian)
- Washington: YMCA Camp Seymour (Gig Harbor)
- West Virginia: Oglebay Institute (Wheeling)
Key Program Details:
Who Can Attend: Children of active duty, National Guard, Reserve, and medically retired or fallen service members.
- Cost: The camp is free for all accepted campers.
- Focus: Bridging the gap between military life and childhood fun through team-building, "Purple Time" (group discussion), and traditional camp activities like archery, swimming, and hiking.
How to Apply: Applications are processed through the National Military Family Association website. Because these spots are highly sought after, we encourage families to apply as early as possible.
- Resources for Military Students
- Special Education Support
- Counseling
- PMSD Community Events
- Safety & Security
- Additional Resources
- Curriculum & Instruction
- Military Contacts 2025-2026