Affordable summer activities at JB MDL Outdoor Recreation Department Published June 23, 2011 By Airman 1st Class Dennis L. Sloan Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst Public Affairs JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. -- Vacations and outdoor activities are on people's mind now that schools are out and summer has arrived. The Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst Outdoor Recreation Department is just the place to start when planning an event filled summer. The ORD provides discounted tickets, rental equipment and outing opportunities to members of the joint base community. The Information Tickets and Tour Department staff, located in the ORD, helps to plan family and group trips at a reduced price. Tickets for trips to theme parks, concerts and other activities around the United States are sold at a reduced price at the ITT department. The department is available to all Defense card holders. "If we can send a family of six to Disney World for 20 percent less than the regular price, they will have more money to spend on other essentials," said Kristen McDowel, 87th Force Support Squadron JB MDL ORD recreation specialist. "We want to help military families to enjoy their time off." The JB MDL ORD staff frequently organizes group trips throughout the local area. Currently the team is planning a day trip across the border to Delaware at a reduced price. The trip will include river tubing, barbecue and transportation for all participants. "Discover some of New Jersey yourself with a little help from us," said Hefelfinger. "There is rich history around here and in nearby cities like Philadelphia and New York, so go out and see them at a reduced price." Families, who prefer to stay close to home, can attend the family-camp out Aug. 12 through 13 on Doughboy Field. The camp-out is open to all military families and will include: bouncy houses, go-carts, sand castle building, barbeque dinner, s'mores around a camp fire and movie showing. Community members who prefer to host activities in their own yards can also find the ORD helpful. The ODR is home to canoe, fire pit, camping gear and sports equipment rentals. All sorts of backyard games are available for rent as well as horse shoes, lawn golf and washers. The Outdoor Recreation Department also rents nine different pavilions, located across the joint base, which can be reserved for unit picnics or even base-wide celebrations. "The Outdoor Recreation Department has great deals on sporting equipment ranging from softball to volleyball and tennis equipment for kids participating in base sport leagues," said Bob Hefelfinger, 87th FSS JB MDL ORD recreation assistant. Many yearly base events such as the annual Fouth of July Celebration feature inflatable tents, go-carts and batting cages set-up and maintained by the Outdoor Recreation Department. Ticket sales and equipment rentals are not the only services provided by the ORD team. Community members can put steel to paper and practice firearm proficiency at JB MDL Range 14. The range is open to the base and local communities during the week and weekend. Paintball and air soft tournaments take place every weekend on Range 14. Hunting and fishing licenses can also be purchased at the range. So if planning a family picnic, a weekend get-away or just a trip to the ranges, the Outdoor Recreation Department has all the equipment needed and more. All equipment and rental prices can be found at the Outdoor Recreation Department, located at 6045 Doughboy Loop, Mondays through Fridays, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Saturdays and Sundays, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information on upcoming events or rental equipment, call 562-6667. Range 14 is open 1 to 8 p.m. Wednesday and Friday and 8 to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. To schedule a paintball appointment or even just an afternoon of shooting at Range 14, call 562-4676. "We want to offer community members a fun change of pace, while also increasing their morale," said McDowel. "There are many programs available here and families may find something they've always wanted to do but never had the chance to."