Resiliency and recreation at Robins: Base provides multiple avenues for relaxation

ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. — Rest, relaxation, recuperation and relationships merely scratch the surface when it comes to what Robins’ Outdoor Recreation programs offer. Boasting 18 different activities, the program provides a chance to play hard after working hard, giving an enriching experience while working at Robins Air Force Base.

On base, the recreation program offers multiple facilities, from an RV Camp, to three parks, to a community swimming pool. The swimming pool is free of charge and open six days a week.

With arts and crafts, personnel have the opportunity to express their creativity through multiple avenues, like making picture frames, creating shadowboxes and engraving.

Also on base is a series of recreational clubs: the Auto Club, Ski Club, Woodworking Club and Riding Stables. Year-round participation is only $100 annually, and Robins is nearly unique in offering the programs, one of only a few bases with this provision.

For those who are more adventurous, the base offers what they call the Recharge For Resilience Program. For a fraction of a typical cost, the base organizes around 26 various trips a year: everything from fishing, whitewater rafting, zip lining and even skydiving.

Offered to Active Guard and Reserve, their families, along with dependents of current or recent military deployed personnel, the program gives interested participants the opportunity to have an adventure while saving money, thanks to government subsidies for trips and events.

For example, on a typical fishing trip, costs add up to charter a boat, buy equipment, process your catch, find a place to stay overnight and drive out to your destination. What could add up to hundreds of dollars only costs $25 with the R4R program.

Bobby Roper, Director of Outdoor Recreation, Arts and Crafts, and Information Tickets and Travel, highlighted another expensive endeavor. While skydiving can cost an individual nearly $300, again, the cost is only a fraction through R4R.

If the trips under R4R don’t align with your schedule, the base also offers an equipment rental program. With over 500 items, totaling over $1.5 million in value, if it’s related to the outdoors, they are sure to have it available: from boats to campers, grills, lawn and garden equipment, and even bounce houses. Once again, the items are offered at a fraction of a price.

For example, a pontoon boat can run hundreds of dollars for only a few hours. For one day, an eight-person boat only runs for $130.

It’s not just bounce houses that are offered, but also a chance to bounce back, according to Roper.

“People work hard on base, so we provide, what I would like to think, is that resiliency through the equipment rental program. We provide things that people don’t tend to have, at a more reduced rate, and we definitely try to get those items outside of the gate,” Roper said. “But the most important thing to me is resiliency … and we’re able to do that.”

Finally, Information, Tickets and Technology is an “on-base travel agency” of sorts, offering

discounted tickets to various destinations and events, including athletic games, theme parks like Disney World, the Georgia Aquarium, as well as savings on resorts and cruises.

To Roper, every program is critical, and it helps those on the base have a good time. With the exception of R4R, recreational programs are open to nearly anyone who works on base, retirees, as well as veterans who are fully disabled due to military service.

Whether it’s serving the country overseas or continued service at Robins Air Force Base, the base understands the need to relax and decompress, prompting Outdoor Recreation to offer these opportunities.

“There is no better way to do it than by enjoying the great outdoors. That’s one of the reasons why the Air Force, the military, has these programs,” Roper said.

Effectively, Outdoor Recreation’s offerings help strike a balance between work and play, leaving employees ready to tackle challenges when they return to work.

“These individuals work hard. They train hard. So they should be able to play hard once that’s done. Through our program, we allow them a safe, effective outlet to do that, so they can come back and jump into the important mission that we have,” Roper said.

Boosting employee morale is another benefit of the programs, as explained by Christal Anderson, an operations manager for the base’s recreation program.

She illustrated the boost by tying it back to Riding Stables, which also provides relaxation while promoting animal therapy, horsemanship, and relationships within the community.

“Being out, there is a relaxing environment. You get to bond with the horses. It gives you a relaxation you may not get somewhere else, physical therapy. It helps you with emotional stress. It could be helping you with physical impairments,” Anderson said.

According to Roper, response has been gratitude and he has seen camaraderie and relationships grow as a result of the recreational programs offered. In turn, this builds a stronger base community.

“One of the biggest benefits of our programs, the trips, all of those things, is to give the opportunity for military members and our civilian members to come together, to get to know each other and develop those bonds that you need when it comes to the military mission,” Roper said.

If employees are interested in taking part of any recreational programs offered on base, they can direct questions to their commanders. Those who are interested may also contact the program directly at (478) 926-4001, email Roper at bobby.roper.1@us.af.mil, email the department at robinsodr@gmail.com, or visit Outdoor Recreation’s physical location at 760 Tenth Street, Building 984 on Robins Air Force Base.

For more information about the Outdoor Recreation Program, please visit robinsfss.com

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