Military: Area youths take part in Air Force adventure

HURLBURT FIELD - The seats in the briefing room of the Deployment Control Center were full of the base's youngest "recruits."

Thirty-two teens received their top-secret mission before leaving for an eight-day deployment, otherwise known as the Air Force Adventure Camp.

Lt. Russell Chance with the Deputy Installation Deployment Office started the briefing with the mission's directives: "The uniform is civilian to maintain the classified nature of this go."

The campers were also given financial information, a medical readiness report and a few words from a chaplain.

"To hear the air sucked out of the room was the coolest part," said Chance, referring to the group's reaction to the medical briefing. The "commandos" learned they would be taking "GI showers" with baby wipes and would need an inoculation.

"Y'all didn't know about the shots? We don't want any mission to be compromised," Master Sgt. Laura Price said in her medical readiness briefing.

Fortunately, the three shots were replaced with oral vaccinations cleverly disguised as candy.

The group, all offspring of airmen, will travel to four state parks after initial activities at Hurlburt Field's Soundside.

"We'll teach them how to read a compass, read a map and general navigation skills," said John Lilly, a staff member at the camp.

The campers also will have opportunities to snorkel, kayak and hike as they experience field conditions their parents undergo while deployed.

"It's one of very few that's for teens," said Del Mucci, co-director of the camp.

Mucci has found that teens often have a different response to the stresses of family deployment: "They start holding it in."

The camp gives them an outlet, a new perspective of the Air Force experience and a new network of support.

"I just moved here and want to make some friends," said Chelsea Cory, 13, of Navarre. "I'm just doing this for fun."

"It gives them something to do other than their gaming stations and computers," said Lilly.

In his five years helping at the camp, Lilly has found that many of the campers have little experience in the great outdoors.
"I've never been camping," said Craig Winkler, 14, of Crestview.

"I've gone camping before," Chelsea said. "But nothing like this."

"I wanted another outdoor adventure," said Rohan Snyder, 15, of Navarre.

"Without the technology," added Craig.

The first day's mission taught the teens how to kayak. The day also included a flashlight tour of the Marianna State Caverns and the group's first hike.

"We'll set up camp at midnight," Lilly said before the trip.

The campers will start their second day five hours later with physical training and MREs (meals ready to eat).

The Air Force Adventure Camp started six years ago. It was replaced the following year by Operation Purple, a camp open to all branches of the military.

This summer marked the first time Hurlburt Field has offered both camps.

The Air Force Adventure Camp was limited to campers age 13 to 15. Eight mentors, age 16 to 18, were on hand to help out.

While priority was given to children with parents who recently have been deployed, the camp was open to the children of all airmen.