Enid Chamber, Team Vance host local kids to Camp Tomahawk

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Frank Casciotta
  • 71st Flying Training Wing Public Affairs
VANCE AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --  Vance hosted a two-week summer camp for local children June 3-14 on base.

Camp Tomahawk, a free summer camp for children between 9 and 11 years old who might not otherwise get to attend a camp, is funded by the Enid Chamber of Commerce.

This year is the 35th time Camp Tomahawk has been held.

Team Vance provided 70 volunteers who took shifts taking the children out and about and watching over them during the night.

"We managed to raise about $6,000 for the camp," said Rynn Day, the membership and special events coordinator for the Enid Chamber. "It costs about $150 to send a child to the camp."

Camp Tomahawk is funded solely by donations from the local community. This year, more than 50 local businesses and community members contributed. The money covers the cost of entertainment, shirts, snacks and supplies.

"It was fulfilling seeing the children able to do things they haven't done before," said Capt. Jessica McGlade, the public health element chief with the 71st Medical Operations Squadron, and assistant director for Camp Tomahawk. "I was blown away by the support the Enid community provides."

Twelve boys attended the first week and 15 girls attended the second week of the camp. The campers were treated to aircraft simulation rides, a visit to the Alabaster Caverns, Frontier City, flights in civilian airplanes at Woodring Airport, a trip to the Oklahoma City Zoo and a number of other activities on, and off base.

The campers were treated to an evening of making s'mores at the base park with Col. Darren James, the 71st Flying Training Wing commander, and Bill Shewey, the mayor of the city of Enid.

"There's no way we could have pulled this off without the support from the base," said Day. "They are wonderful and it's amazing what they do for those kids."