Nature is calling: What the Outdoor Recreation Center can do for you

  • Published
  • By Cassie Brown
  • 60th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  Do you ever find yourself wondering what kinds of outdoor activities there are to do in Northern California?

You might be surprised at what nature has to offer. From the coast to Reno, to the rivers, there are many magnificent places to explore.

But where do you go for information, equipment and help? One place has it all: The Outdoor Recreation Center.

Their mission is to provide safe, well-planned programs that foster family and individual well-being, unit cohesion and physical fitness. And, with a vision of having a professionally-trained outdoor recreation staff to present many sound programs that showcase the local resources available, it would be a shame not to take advantage of their expert assistance.

One of their services is the Equipment Rental Center which rents all types of provisions for most outdoor entertainment. They rent summer and winter sports equipment, picnic and party supplies, camping gear, bicycles and even lawn tools. Across the board, the ERC has what you need for any occasion.

Not only do they supply you with the gear, but the ORC offers adventurous trips with an experienced leader.

The Outdoor Adventure Program is an organized outfitter that allows you to sit back, relax and let them do all the planning. If you like camping but are unsure how to set-up the tent or don't want to cook, you don't have to; simply sign up for their family camp. Just enjoy the outdoors while they take care of the camping duties.

However long you desire to spend in the great outdoors, whether it is for the weekend, a day or even a few hours, the ORC has a trip for you. They have one-day trips for white water rafting, sea kayaking, rock climbing, hiking and bicycling. These trips are exciting and safe for any skill level.

If one trip is not enough, combine outdoor activities by signing up for the two-day rafting trip which includes camping overnight.

If you just need to unwind for a few hours after work, they also have quick evening trips like "After Work Paddle" in which you kayak in Suisun Bay, or take the "After Work Hike" where you can de-stress while hiking around Rockville Park.

Another fascinating feature the OAP presents is "make your own trip."
"We can put together almost any type of trip you want," said Ben Evers, OAP manager. With the staff's extensive background in outdoor adventure and safety it would be hard to find a trip they could not create.

In addition to taking you on trips, the OAP team can also instruct you on multiple outdoor skills. They conduct many different classes that include belaying, kayaking, surfing, swimming and even Dutch oven cooking. Most of these classes are taught at beginning, intermediate and advanced levels.

For some of these lessons you don't even have to go outside. Located in the ORC building is "the wall."

With more than one surface and a height of more than 25 feet, the rock wall is an excellent place to learn to climb, gain strength and push yourself to new heights.

However, if you don't like to climb but want to support someone who does, the ORC can train almost anyone to belay.

The Outdoor Recreation Center is full of exhilarating experiences that will take your summer from an everyday numbness to a mind-blowing odyssey.

For everything the Outdoor Recreation Center has to offer, simply pick up their quarterly Adventure Calendar, or visit them on the web at www.60thServices.com.