Photo By Lance Cpl. Michael Nerl | The Combat Center's Outdoor Adventures office rents out softball, football and flag...... read more read more
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Many Marines and sailors stationed aboard the Combat Center think it is isolated and far away from anything fun. The truth is, the installation is in the middle of many places to go hiking, camping and a variety of other outdoor endeavors. Outdoor Adventures here provides the key to do just that.
The office rents out equipment to individuals, and supports unit functions throughout the year, said John Murdock Jr., the Outdoor Adventure’s manager.
The office provides access to a very wide variety of equipment like bikes, camping gear, skis, snowboards, grills and virtually anything someone could want. However, the early bird gets the worm at Outdoor Adventures.
“Reservations can be made as much as 180 days in advance, or come in the day they want something and check it out,” said Murdock, a Washington native. “Unfortunately, we have a limited inventory, so it’s first come, first serve.”
The office also donates several kinds of deployment kits stocked with recreational supplies, such as playing cards, games and other miscellaneous items to units headed overseas. The kits become the unit’s property and do not need to be returned after the deployment.
Murdock said some days are slow but during extended liberty periods, patrons need to plan ahead to make sure they get what they want.
“Our busiest time of the year is holidays,” he said. “The busiest day of the year is probably the Wednesday before Thanksgiving.”
Murdock said everything in their inventory is quite useful and meant for a good time, but not everyone has room in a barracks room or in housing.
“A lot of what we have here are things that Marines and their families would like to have or like to own,” he said. “But because they’re [moving] all the time, they can’t afford to have four or five big six-foot tables for a family gathering. Well, we have those.”
Murdock said the top rented items at the office change with the seasons.
“In the winter time, it’s skis and snowboards without a question,” he said. “Summer time, it’s the camping equipment.”
Jessica Spicer, a recreation assistant at the office, said it’s a great place to work, and relatively hassle-free environment.
“I like working here because I love the people,” said the Twentynine Palms, Calif., resident. “You don’t find too many problems.
“There’s the occasional late person,” she added. “But that doesn’t even happen very often.”
Cpl. Harris Bienn, an assaultman with Weapons Company, 3rd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, said he’s known about the office and its services since he got here and has always tried to utilize it.
“They’re great,” said the New Orleans native. “I always went camping and backpacking before I joined.
“A lot of people here think all there is to do is go to Palm Springs or San Diego,” he said. “There’s a lot of fun, outdoors stuff to experience out here, and Outdoor Adventures is cheap most of all.”
| Date Taken: | 08.06.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 08.06.2010 16:23 |
| Story ID: | 54081 |
| Location: | TWENTYNINE PALMS, CALIFORNIA, US |
| Web Views: | 176 |
| Downloads: | 119 |
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