Outdoor Rec offers activities to get into the swing of summer

  • Published
  • By Rebekah Molloy
  • Nucleus writer
KIRTLAND AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. --  Kirtland's Outdoor Recreation program embraces summer with children's programs, kayak clinics, pool activities, brewery tours and more, while guides help Airmen and their families create their own outdoor expeditions.

"No matter what you do with us, it's going to be an adventure," said Joni VanMeir, Outdoor Recreation director.

VanMeir is particularly excited about the monthly brewery tours, "Thirsty Thursdays," which started late last year. ODR leads a visit to a local brewery where the group sees, in her words "everything a customer doesn't get to see."

She was pleasantly surprised when members of a brewery tour group returned the day after their tour to see what else they could sign up for because they hadn't realized how much fun it would be.

Outdoor Rec welcomes young outdoor enthusiasts with "Kidz Rock," which began this spring. According to VanMeir, Kidz Rock teaches the basics of rock climbing on ODR's climbing wall.

ODR stepped up its water game with the arrival of the warmer months and, according to VanMeir, added "a massive amount of extras" at the pool, such as water aerobics and more days open to private bookings.

Kayak roll clinics begin at the outdoor pool Monday. Geared toward people with previous experience, the clinics provide a way for kayakers who perhaps haven't kayaked recently to practice their technique before hitting the rapids.

The brewery tours, intensified pool activities and new kayak clinics are offered in addition to whitewater rafting, horseback riding tours, hiking and camping trips, as well as a plethora of other options.

"Sometimes people just want to go somewhere, but they don't know where they want to go. We can help," VanMeir said.

ODR doesn't just provide all the gear one needs for a hiking excursion or camping extravaganza, but they also know what gear one needs. It's the expediency and beauty of Outdoor Recreation, VanMeir said.

"Don't know how to pitch a tent? We'll show you. Want to go camping but don't like cooking? We'll get it taken care of for you," she said of ODR's custom trips, which require eight or more people to book.

For people new to the area and curious about the best way to see New Mexico, VanMeir recommends whitewater rafting trips.

"For rafting, we drive you all the way up to Taos," she said, "so you see a lot of New Mexico before you even get to the river."

Outdoor Recreation can be reached at 846-1499.