Summer Activities

Let’s face it, we’re all tired of being cooped up and we’re ready to get outside in 2021. Join Fort Benning Family and MWR in all of our safely planned summer activities! Peruse through some (but definitely not all) of what we have going on!

SPLISH, SPLASH!

Aquatics, p.32 Summer pool season officially opened on May 29! Georgia summers are hot and beautiful – a perfect time to cool down at our amazing Breezeway Complex! Conveniently sign up for a session online up-to two weeks in advance, and enjoy worry-free admission.

Maybe your child still needs those water wings, but you think they’re ready to explore the deep end - Youth Sports is also offering swim lessons at Smith Physical Fitness Center! Open to children ages 6 months and older, we offer a variety of swim levels for everyone.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, AMERICA!

Independence Celebration, p. 2 In a typical summer, we celebrate Independence Day a little early here at Fort Benning. The annual Independence Celebration stands to celebrate our nations’ independence, and to provide Soldiers and their families a safe environment to enjoy music, fireworks and fun in the sun! Join us Saturday, June 26 for a live concert and the biggest fireworks display in the Chattahoochee Valley.

ADVENTURE OUTDOORS

Outdoor Recreation, p. 28 Wanderlust (noun): a strong, innate desire to rove. Explore your inner adventure seeker with programs near and far this summer! Outdoor Recreation is offering a plethora of activities for everyone. From kayak and paddleboard events to paintball competitions, or from recreational archery shoots to a multi-day stay in Helen, Georgia that is stacked full of excursions, we’re bound to have an opportunity for every budget and adventure level.

Equipment Resource Center, p. 27 Okay, maybe we should say “we also sell worms,” but it got your attention, right? Stop by the Equipment Resource Center at Outdoor Recreation for all your summer needs! Worm selling aside, we rent campers, tents, kayaks, paddleboards, event and party supplies, lawn and garden equipment, sporting goods, boats…(deep breath)…grills, bikes, yard games, bounce houses, slip and slides, trailers, moving equipment……you get it. If you need it, we probably have it. Come check us out! (pun intended.)

STAYCATION

Uchee Creek Campground & Marina, p. 25 Nestled on the banks of the Chattahoochee River on the Alabama side of Fort Benning, our 385-acre park has full hookup RV sites, tent sites, cabins and chalets, recreation areas, rental facilities, a fishing and boating marina, trails and more. It’s the perfect staycation for when you just want to “get away,” but can’t go too far.

SUMMER DESTINATION

Destin Army Recreation Area, p. 23 Destin Army Recreation Area is a gated resort in the heart of Old Destin, near the Harbor Walk Village, just 220 miles south of Fort Benning, between Pensacola and Panama City. The resort spans 15 acres along the Choctawhatchee Bay, minutes from the Gulf of Mexico. With amenities like a fishing pier, swimming pool and splash park, recreation equipment, a marina equipped with a variety of vessels to rent, fishing charters and more, make this stunning resort your next DESTINation during your stay at Fort Benning.

GET SOAKED

Summer Soaker 5K, p. 33 On your mark, get ready, and sign up for our next 5K Fun Run – the Summer Soaker! Happening on July 31, the race course will be lined with super soakers and end with a pool party at the Breezeway Complex. Spectators are encouraged to join! If you live along the route, bring out your garden hoses and your water guns to give the runners a refreshing way to cool down.

FITNESS IS MY WITNESS

Sports & Fitness, p. 33 Looking to work on your physique or missing summer league sports? With five uniquely different fitness centers located throughout Fort Benning, try them all and choose which one fits your personality! If you need a fun twist on the routine workout, weekly fitness classes are available.

Adult sports will also be offering a variety of leagues and tournaments this summer, so keep an eye out for upcoming registration dates and meetings!

COLOR YOUR WORLD

Summer Reading Program, p. 11 During June and July, join DoD MWR Libraries worldwide as they explore “Reading Colors Your World.” This year, we’re able to host this all-ages program outdoors! Get ready to log your minutes and earn prizes while we color our worlds through reading.

YOUTH CAMPS

CYS Summer Programs, p. 16 Parents, are you ready for a break? Child and Youth Services has the perfect solution to an unforgettable summer while giving parents the peace of mind in knowing that their children are supervised in a safe environment. Summer camps are available for youth in grades K-12, and have a wide variety of activities and adventures planned.

YOUTH SPORTS CLINICS

Youth Sports, p. 16 We’re back! It’s been a long year, so we’re excited to gear up for youth sports again! Many programs are available for different age groups. Registration begins in June and July for flag football, soccer, paintball, golf, basketball, tennis, foot golf and more! Interested in becoming a coach? Then we’re interested in you! Reach out for more information on our website at benning.armymwr.com.

BACK 2 SCHOOL!

Kids Zone, p. 16 Save the date! Child and Youth Services is hosting the annual Back 2 School Bash on July 23! During this free, drive-thru event, school supplies will be given away for students in grades K-12 of active duty Soldiers.