JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. -- The 87th Air Base Wing Chapel hosted a Mobile Escape Room team-building event at the McGuire Chapel here, Aug. 27.
The Chapel hosted the gathering as part of a series of events put together throughout the year to boost morale and encourage Joint Base MDL community members spiritual growth regardless of religion or service.
“Our jobs are very demanding and taxing,” said U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Latoya Irving, 87th ABW chapel NCO in charge of plans and programs. “Just allowing [service members] to get out of their workspace and day-to-day activities to relieve their stress can promote a positive environment.”
Escape rooms encourage players to work together to solve a series of puzzles and riddles using clues, hints and strategy to complete the objective at hand. The Mobile Escape Room is a 35-foot bus, reconstructed into a zombie apocalypse-themed escape game room able to drive to requested locations.
“It’s a good way to learn communication,” said Religious Program Specialist 2nd Class Joan Alston, 87th ABW chapel facility manager. “This is especially a good time to promote team-building because around this time, new people are coming in or coming back from deployment and they don’t know everyone. Providing this event gives them a chance to get to know each other and to bond spiritually with each other.”
Up to ten people could participate in one session and each session had 30 minutes to complete the escape room. During the game, a live zombie would periodically come out and attack the players. The experience allowed the teams to put their minds together to solve the puzzles under the pressure of a time limit and the anxiety of being attacked by the zombie.
“Our goal is to have everyone who comes out to enjoy themselves emotionally and spiritually,” said Alston. “We want them to learn from other people who come from different walks of life and be able to smoothly communicate with each other to make for a better work environment give spiritual peace.”