Contact: Erika Castle, 719-598-5869

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. Feb. 10 /Christian Newswire/ -- This month, 20,000 to 30,000 new US troops will be deployed to Afghanistan, and the Colorado Springs-based Christian Grandparenting Network (CGN) challenges local residents to support the military children left behind.

"According to a recent study by the US Army Community and Family Support Center, 16 percent of children with a deployed parent do poorly or very poorly," says CGN founder and president Cavin Harper. "So for every 1,000 soldiers we deploy, 160 kids fall into the pit. Deploy 20,000 to 30,000 troops? You're telling 3,000 to 5,000 kids to walk to plank."

To help the youngest and hardest-hit military kids, in 2008 CGN created Military Kids GrandCamp, an opportunity for elementary school aged children to attend a summer residential camp and spend quality time with their grandparents.

"Grandparents become crucial to helping children stay out of trouble after parents are deployed," stresses Harper. "GrandCamp is one place where grandparents and grandchildren can experience adventure and healing together, developing resiliency. We also recognize that families on deployment often lack the money to send the kids to camp."

Therefore, CGN asks Colorado Springs residents to send at least 40 military kids to GrandCamp this summer. For just $350 individuals can send one camper to the week-long Military Kid GrandCamp. "Every donation gets a child closer to healing," says Harper. "Whether you sponsor a military kid on your own or together with friends or family, you make a lasting impact."

Online donations can be made at the CGN website www.christiangrandparenting.net. To make a donation by phone or to learn about additional ways to help military families, call Cavin Harper at (719) 522-1404.