Page 24 - mch0418_Magazine

OUTDOOR REC

explained how he felt after finishing, and Partnership Encourages Military
why he was successful. “It honestly went
better than expected and I wasn’t in too much
pain until about mile 10 after climbing the Families to Explore Great Outdoors
massive hill on Skyline Drive,” he said. “If
I hadn’t been pushing myself these past few
months, the last five miles would have been he Air Force Ser-
much more challenging than they were.” Tvices Activity
(AFSVA) is partnering
SPRINT TRIATHLON with the National Park
Sightly more than a month later, on Trust (NPT) to bring
March 3, NS Guantanamo Bay commu- the “Buddy Bison Great
nity members participated in the MWR Outdoors Challenge” to
Sprint Triathlon, consisting of a half-mile military families at sev-
swim, a 12.4-mile bike ride and a 3.1-mile en participating instal-
run. One participant, 15-year-old A’Janil lations. This program
Stokes, has been running since he was in encourages children
elementary school and isn’t letting Gitmo and families to participate in programs, such as Participants play a game
slow down his progress at achieving his camping, canoeing, fishing and hiking, while ex- of tag during a “Leave No
long-term running dreams. ploring local, state and national parks. Trace” workshop at Nellis
The local Department of Defense Edu- With funding from the Office of the Secre- AFB, Nev., March 28, 2018.
cation Authority (DoDEA) school, W.T. tary of Defense, Military Community and Family PHOTO: AIRMAN 1ST CLASS
ANDREW D. SARVER, USAF
Sampson School, has a small population Policy (OSD, MC&FP), the Air Force is piloting
and is often unable to meet the sports needs the program at seven installations: Moody AFB,
of every student due to numbers needed to Ga.; Hurlburt Field, Fla.; Little Rock AFB, Ark.; Hill AFB, Utah; F.E. Warren
start up a program and the coaches needed AFB, Wyo.; and in Colorado, Peterson AFB and the U.S. Air Force Academy.
to run it. The funding allows the Air Force to supply installations with support materials
Stokes participates in many of the MWR to encourage participation, and participating installations kicked off events
running events because it’s the only way for for Buddy Bison in the early spring.
him to participate in track-and-field-type “We are excited to partner with the National Park Trust,” said Anthony
events that enable him to judge how well he Alcala, AFSVA’s Child and Youth Programs recreation specialist. NPT is a
is doing. “The local school doesn’t have a national non-profit that “protects national parks and engages kids with all
track-and-field program, and because it is of our country’s public lands and waters,” according to the organization’s
so hard to get off island, the MWR events website (https://www.parktrust.org).
are a progress tracker,” said Rodney Stokes, “This partnership [with NPT] gives our Air Force families opportunities
A’Janil’s father. to explore the great outdoors, strengthen family bonds and have fun while
“I enjoy running. I loved it as soon as I engaging in healthy activities,” said Fernando Brown, AFSVA’s outdoor rec-
stepped on the track the first time,” A’Janil reation specialist.
said. “I love running because you need to With the program, children receive a Buddy Bison passport or bingo card
push yourself every single time, not just to collect stamps at Buddy Bison stops. The stops can be found on an instal-
against other runners, but run against your- lation and at parks in the community.
self and the time clock. It also relaxes me.” “This really is a great opportunity to raise awareness of all the local
According to his father, A’Janil wants to resources available to airmen and their families,” Brown said. Based on the
compete at the college level and hopefully success of the Buddy Bison partnership with the Air Force, it may be expanded
make the U.S. Olympic team — he is well to other installations in the future.
on his way since he is already ranked in
U.S. track and field on the high school level. OTHER OUTDOOR REC PROGRAMS
“These events allow him to compete Although not every installation will be enrolled in the Buddy Bison pro-
with older adults,” said Rodney Stokes. gram, all can participate in NPT’s “Kids to Parks Day,” held the third Saturday
“When we get a chance to go off-island to of May each year, this year on May 19. This national day of outdoor play
compete in Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) encourages exploring outdoor recreation; learning about science, technology,
track and field events, he is running against engineering and math; and embracing park stewardship.
older kids so it helps him prepare.” Individual bases also host other events. Nellis AFB, Nev., recently held a
“It makes me feel really confident in workshop with this theme, taught by the non-profit “Leave No Trace” group.
myself to know that I am beating most of Through a series of exercises, attendees learned the importance of planning
the adults,” said A’Janil. “The next step is ahead, respecting wildlife and most importantly, leaving no trace of human
to go ahead and beat some of the kids that disturbance. “It’s important to plan ahead,” said Donielle Stevens, a “Leave
are in the States.” No Trace” traveling trainer. “The last thing you want is to either not pack
Information reported by Mass Commu- enough and run out of supplies or pack too much and become weighed down.”
nication Specialist 1st Class John Philip The lessons taught in the workshop were beneficial for all ages, said Aaron
Wagner Jr., Naval Station Guantanamo Hussmann, another “Leave No Trace” traveling trainer. Guests varied from
Bay Public Affairs Boy Scouts looking to earn a new merit badge to non-commissioned officers
brushing up on their outdoor knowledge.

24 MILITARY CLUB & HOSPITALITY | APRIL 2018