Vance volunteers host local boys, girls for Camp Tomahawk

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Frank Casciotta
  • 71st Flying Training Wing Public Affairs
VANCE AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --  What is the best part of summer? For some kids in Enid, Okla., it's going to Camp Tomahawk at Vance Air Force Base.

The camp began June 18, marking the 38th year Vance has hosted the free two-week camp. The first week was for the 20 boys who attended this year and the second week for the 17 girls.

"The base and community have come together and exceeded my expectations with what they've been able to provide for the kids," said Capt. Sherri Ginger, the Camp Tomahawk coordinator and an instructor pilot for the 32nd Flying Training Squadron. "Agencies on base have really come through by providing volunteers, tours and food."

More than 80 members of Team Vance stepped up to volunteer for the camp.

"So many people were volunteering I actually started getting complaints from people trying to get involved but not getting picked," said Ginger. "I was moved by their willingness to help."

This year, the campers spent the night in the Community Chapel Activity Center on base instead of staying in tents. The CCAC offered better protection from the harsh summer heat. It was also easier on the volunteers who watched over the campers throughout the night.

Since mid-April Ginger has been working alongside the Enid Chamber of Commerce to ensure campers had a memorable and fun experience this year.

Both the boys and the girls went on day-trips to attractions like the Alabaster Caverns, met with pilots, toured aircraft and even had a meeting with Bill Shewey, the mayor of Enid, said Ginger.

"I am so thankful for Susan Burcham, my Camp Tomahawk counterpart at the Enid Chamber of Commerce," said Ginger. "She has been coordinating all the off-base events and getting sponsors. But we really couldn't have pulled it off without the tremendous support from the community."

More than 55 local establishments donated approximately $3,700 to the camp, not including the free food, discounts and passes to attractions like Frontier City and Splash Zone.

"It has been a pleasure for the Chamber to continue building a working relationship with the base," said Burcham. "We really needed both parties to make this work.

"We handled the off-base events and Vance coordinated on-base events and provided all the volunteers to take care of the kids," said Burcham.

"Camp Tomahawk gives us a good chance to show the kids of Enid what we do here and provide positive role models for them while they are here," said Master Sgt. Derek Cox, the assistant coordinator for Camp Tomahawk. Cox is assigned to the 71st Medical Group.

The Camp Tomahawk volunteers from Vance did a good job of impressing at least one of the campers. "I want to be a pilot some day, or at least join the military," said Tianna Beebe, one of the Camp Tomahawk campers. "It's all just really interesting, and fun."