Culture of responsible choices: Ballance work with outdoor activities

  • Published
  • By 341st Missile Wing Public Affairs Staff
MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. --  The base Outdoor Recreation center provides customers with guided outdoor trips and rental equipment for use in outdoor activities and adventures for groups large and small. 

Activities supported by ODR this summer include fishing, swimming, rafting and horseback riding. 

Whitewater rafting 

ODR offers guided raft trips on the Clark Fork and Blackfoot Rivers west of Great Falls that flow out of the Rocky Mountains. Each year, 10 to 15 volunteers are trained to guide rafts to support the program.
Blackfoot: May 30 and June 13
Clark Fork: June 27 and July 2
Families can also join in the rafting experience on a Missouri River family float. The next float will be June 6 from 1 to 7 p.m. 

Swimming 

Malmstrom has a seasonal pool located next to the new fitness center. Swimming lessons are offered all season long in two-week sessions beginning June 8. Cost is $25 and registration is done at the swimming pool. They also offer free lap swimming to active duty military members Monday to Friday from 12 to12:45 p.m. Private swim lessons are offered, and adult swim lessons will be offered if enough interest is shown. 

Fishing 

Pow Wow Pond is stocked every spring and the Children's Fishing Day is held there the first Saturday in June every year. ODR will offer fly fishing classes again this year. These classes are taught by a local fly fisherman. Dates for classes have not yet been determined. Contact ODR to express interest. 

Safety tips 

- A good plan is essential to a successful and enjoyable experience. 

- Experience the outdoors in a group or with a wingman in case of an emergency. 

- Check weather forecasts ahead of time, study the destination and be knowledgeable of the activity. 

- Wear a proper-fitting life jacket when boating. 

- Boating and drinking is against the law. 

- A risk assessment prior to participating in outdoor adventure activities is essential. 

- Knowledge and proper equipment are essentials to any successful and safe outdoor recreation activity. 

Rentals 

ODR has a fleet of 11 15 horsepower boats with trailers and four campers that sleep four to six people. A boating card, issued at ODR following a boating exam, is required for boat rentals. People renting travel trailers, or campers, must have a vehicle with a minimum chassis weight of one-and-a-half tons. The vehicle must also be equipped with an electric trailer brake controller. 

Additional recreational gear is available for rent as well. For a list of available items and prices, go to www.341fss.com. 

If the ODR staff does not have knowledge or experience about the activity or
area where a group wants to go, they will research it. 

For more information on the base swimming pool, contact Steve Surls at 731-3021. 

For information on Yellowstone and Glacier National Parks, go to: www.nps.gov .

To learn more about fishing in Montana, go to: www.bigskyfishing.com. 

For Montana hiking information, go to: www.hikercentral.com.