Spangdahlem Chapel provides an escape

Photo By Tech. Sgt. Anthony Plyler | Cherie Elliott, the 52nd Fighter Wing Chaplain's wife, handles a piece of décor in one of the two escape rooms at Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, May 14, 2021. The rooms, which open to the public May 24, are scheduled to have various time slots to accommodate the different shifts that Airmen work. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Tony Plyler)  

GERMANY

05.21.2021

Story by Tech. Sgt. Anthony Plyler 

52nd Fighter Wing

You have lost communication with the IT specialist, and the last transmission with him was a week ago. As a member of the recovery team, your objective is to find the specialist, get to the control room, call the mainland for a helicopter and, most importantly, not die in the process.
This is the scenario in one of the two escape rooms now available on Spangdahlem Air Base thanks to the 52nd Fighter Wing Chapel staff.
“The escape rooms are located on the third floor of the Chapel Resource Building, which is an old dormitory,” said Master Sgt. Chemiese Hall, 52nd Fighter Wing superintendent of religious affairs and chapel operations. “We wanted to do something with the empty space and decided to convert them into 'Spangdahlem’s Amazing Escape’ rooms. We removed old furniture, painted walls, cleaned carpets, ordered the items and built the rooms from scratch. We had an idea, and it flourished as we added more.”
To comply with COVID restrictions, the chapel staff will work with Public Health to ensure that the participants are kept safe. Everyone will be required to adhere to proper social distancing, the number of personnel will be limited, and the staff will sanitize the rooms between visits.
“Simply put, this is a free and close activity for the community,” said Capt. Jacqueline Pippin, 52nd Mission Support Group chaplain. “There will be various options to go through the rooms such as lunch time, weekends, and evenings to accommodate the different shifts. It will help units, friends and families see different sides of one another and champion together toward a common goal: Escaping.”
Lt Col. Ralph Elliott, 52nd Fighter Wing chaplain, said the rooms will serve as an avenue to raise morale.
“Many people turn to activities that may not be beneficial,” Elliot said. “The escape rooms are a reminder that the chapel is a place they can turn to and a reminder that we are always here to help. The rooms are a way to get many out of isolation.”
The rooms open to the public May 24, and participants will be able to sign up virtually for their desired time slot.
Currently there are two rooms available with another two rooms in the works.

• Date Taken: 05.21.2021
• Date Posted: 05.26.2021 02:43
• Story ID: 397404
• Location: DE