Vance hosts Camp Tomahawk for Enid boys

  • Published
  • By Zach Sproul
  • 71st Flying Training Wing Public Affairs
VANCE AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --  For the past 37 years the Greater Enid Chamber of Commerce and Vance Air Force Base have partnered to hold Camp Tomahawk, a two-week summer camp. The camp is for local children who might otherwise be unable to attend a summer camp.

The boy's camp ran from June 6 through 10 with 16 young men getting the opportunity of a lifetime to participate in the camp.

For most of the boys this year's Camp Tomahawk might be their first and only camp. Camp Director Lauren Roff, 71st Force Support Squadron unit program coordinator, is also attending her first Camp Tomahawk. "Like I told the kids, we want every single child to have a great experience. I've never done anything with camp before, but I love kids, I'm just one big kid myself," she said.

Camp Tomahawk allows children to experience swimming, barbequing, putt-putt golf and a variety of field trips.

The opportunities to do things that they may have never experienced before can be a real rush for these kids. The campers toured the base fire department and flight line, traveled to Oklahoma City to visit the zoo and Frontier City.

Members of the Vance fire department took the boys on a complete tour of fire station, to include the training room, mess hall and lounge area. The boys got a hands-on experience with the firefighting equipment, including "CRASH 12," an aircraft emergency response and rescue vehicle.

The firefighters also demonstrated different pieces of equipment they use in putting out fires and cleaning up chemical or fuel spills, as well as the Jaws of Life and thermo imagining cameras.

The fire station tour concluded with a question and answer session in the lounge where the boys were able to see what firefighters do during down time. The campers relaxed in the large, plush recliners throughout the room. The boys took turns asking the firefighters a wide range of questions and were entertained with a variety of amusing, but serious responses. Several of the boys aspire to be firefighters one day.

With temperatures reaching the triple digits, the Plains Pool on base was another cool destination for the boys. At the pool there was lots of laughter and splashing. Highlights at the pool were the diving board and waterslides where the lines were quite lengthy at times.

The campers spent an afternoon in the T-6 simulators learning the ins and outs of daily training from a pilot's perspective. They received some hands on training that not many will have the opportunity to experience.

The camp could not be a success without the unselfish members of Team Vance who volunteer their time to help with the activities of the camp. It is just one example of Vance and the community of Enid coming together for the greater good. Many of the off-base activities, field trips and meals were donated by members of the community.

Next week, June 13-17, the base will host the girls' segment of Camp Tomahawk.