SCHRIEVER AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- The 50th Force Support Squadron’s Outdoor Recreation department readies Airmen for the outdoors with its Camper Safety classes Wednesdays at Bldg. 805, 8-9 a.m.
Classes, which are free to those who attend, run through September and offer Airmen the opportunity to learn to camp with limited funds. Courses also provide Airmen the chance to become knowledgeable of the outdoors and learn to maintain their campers and trailers, which ODR rents to Airmen.
“There’s a lot more than just, get out and go have fun,” said Juli Yim, 50th FSS director of outdoor recreation. “In this class, we can answer almost any questions Airmen have. We can take care of those concerns and make sure they know what they need to be safe so they can have a stress-free vacation.”
The class is one hour and provides a video element as well as lessons on camping safety basics. Included in those teachings are properly connecting a propane tank as well as a carbon dioxide detector, hooking up hot water for the camper and fixing potential electricity issues in the camper.
“People think, ‘Oh, I’ll just hook it up and get on the road,”’ Yim said. “It is that simple, but there are a few things you want to double check. You have to make sure you’re prepared for the outdoors and that you have the right-sized ball for the hitch. It’s also important that your break releases are hooked up properly. Colorado state law requires that anything you’re towing over 3,000-pounds has a break release.”
Campers also provide opportunities for Airmen to explore Colorado in multiple ways.
“We try to roll this in with other things we have,” Yim said. “We have kayaks Airmen can rent so they have fun on the water. We like to try to provide them not only with a means to get there and stay there but enjoy what they’re getting wherever they go.”
Braden Prather, 50th FSS outdoor recreation clerk, helps register those interested in taking the course and knows ODR offers “peace of mind” to Airmen who rent long-term.
“The course is good for three years after you take it,” Prather said. “It can be a hassle to (rent) every year, especially because this course will pretty much be the same (next year). There isn’t any hesitation with wanting to rent because you know they’ll know what to do because they’ve already taken the class.”
For additional information on signing up or renting a camper, contact Yim at 567-2015.