Airmen experience the alcohol-free great outdoors

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Emerald Ralston
  • 341st Missile Wing Public Affairs
MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. --  The Health and Wellness Center held an alcohol-alternative trip to the Bull Run Ranch, near Cascade, Mont., July 18 to 19. 

The trip included a two-hour horseback riding excursion, a rafting trip down Hardy Creek and a health class that was held before the participants made their own healthy dinners. 

The event was sponsored by the Enforcing Underage Drinking Laws coalition. This alcohol-free event was held to give Airmen an option for the weekend to get out and experience Montana and have fun in a healthy, active environment. 

"The Bull Run trip was to show young Airmen there are plenty of things to do in Montana without alcohol being part of the equation," said Staff Sgt. Gabriel Carbajal, Health and Wellness Center NCOIC. "It's always a good thing for young Airmen to meet new people as well, and seeing them all laughing and having a good time without booze was great." 

The trip was put together by Kelley Suggs, health education program manager at the HAWC, and the EUDL. They are always looking for new ideas for alcohol-alternative events and hold several events each year. 

Along with the activities, such as horseback riding and rafting, the educational element added with the dinner made the trip not only fun, but informative, said Ms. Suggs. The class took place just prior to dinner and consisted of a discussion about the myths and misconceptions about exercise, weight loss and drinking. 

"These events are great for the young Airmen because when I was a first term-Airman, I don't recall any events like this one offered to me," Sergeant Carbajal said. "It provides them with an outlook as a young Airman that they don't need alcohol to have a good time."