call your doctoroday. avodart.p take care of your growing problem >>> the next time you hear us report about a new deployment of soldiers or marines to a place like afghanistan, remember, please, every one who serves leaves people behind. and when it's one or both parents in uniform and far from home, it can be a long and lonely summer. but a program in california is proving to be a solution by being a great distraction for the kids, and it's "making a difference." the story from nbc's miguel almaguer. >> reporter: for 13-year-old diamondique thomas, whose mother is in the navy, deployments are long and stressful. >> i miss not beinable to talk to her. >> reporter: at operation purple, more than just a summer camp, diamondique can find support with other campers who are just like her. >> it's good to talk to someone who can understand. >> reporter: a place for kids to be kids. >> a lot of things, the courses, the swimming, everything. it's amazing. >> at nighttime, we tell scare yab stories. >> reporter: beyond tho