Initiative aims to get single Airmen moving

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Madelyn Ottem
  • 60th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  The Outdoor Recreation Center at Travis offers an avenue for thrill-seeking Airmen to participate in adventurous activities while, at the same time, mitigating the risk of injury and keeping safety a top priority.

The purpose of outdoor recreation is to provide healthy, engaging and exciting activities to those on base-- from Active Duty, Department of Defense employees, family members and civilian contractors, said Sean Podrecca, Outdoor Recreation assistant director.

Not only are many of the programs geared toward getting Airmen out of the dorms and into the wilderness, they also keep costs as low as possible and frequently offer deals that appeal to Airmen.

"Air Force Headquarters recently instituted a Single Airman Initiative," Podrecca said.
The mission of the Single Airman Initiative is to provide single Airmen the opportunity to participate in exciting activities free of charge. The initiative applies to active duty, both officer and enlisted, he said.

Some of the activities under the initiative-- beginning Sunday-- include skiing, surfing, paint ball, rock climbing and mountain biking. All the gear and training is included in the trips.

Even the cautious and unskilled are welcome at the programs.

"No prior knowledge is required to participate in the wide range of programs at Outdoor Recreation," Podrecca said. "Depending on how high-adventure the activity is, we will provide you with the necessary knowledge on how to engage in the program without endangering yourself and those around you."

The Outdoor Recreation Center is also training future instructors on how to become knowledgeable and skilled in specific activities so they may safely and accurately teach and guide other Airmen.

"From March through September there will be a whitewater rafting course," Podrecca said. "The course will teach people to become skilled in whitewater rafting. After the training they will be able to volunteer as instructors and teach those that have signed up in the program."

For those looking to stay on Travis, the climbing wall inside of the Outdoor Recreation building will receive upgrades and go through a remodeling process. The improved climbing wall is scheduled to reopen in Spring.

For more information on renting gear, different programs, available trips and the Single Airman Initiative call Outdoor Recreation at 424-0499.