Operation Retreat Haven, Spring 2010

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Jennifer Seidl
  • 97th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
ALTUS AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --  Chapel staff and volunteers hosted the spring 2010 session of Altus Air Force Bases' Operation Retreat Haven 7-9 May at Quartz Mountain Resort.

Friday evening began with an orientation and dinner. Parents were able to drop off children who needed care with Child Development Center workers, who set up a temporary facility on site. They could then attend the ice breaker and "Letter from the Heart" seminar before rejoining their families and others for a campfire with s'mores, and a cowboy sing-along.

Saturday, child care was provided again for those attending "5 Love Languages" with Chaplain, Major Tim Sessions, and "Long Distance Encouragement" with Chaplain, Captain Amy Hunt, an Individual Mobilization Augmentee chaplain from the Dallas area.

Army Guard Specialist Tiffany Gore attended with her husband, Senior Airman Romero Dyer. When asked what she would tell people about Operation Retreat Haven, she said "I would tell them to come on out here. You get a lot out of it. I discovered a lot of things about myself that I didn't know. You can take it home and use it every day, especially the seminars."

In addition to the information and encouragement regarding communication, "Financial Awareness" with Eric Thayer, 97th Force Support Squadron, discussed money related ways to make the most of a deployment. Following breakout sessions, which divided single, spouses, and deployers into separate groups for round table discussions, families came together once more for lunch and fun.

"There's a lot of activities here, rather than being stuck in a 10 mile radius of a place for a long time. I recommend it." said single attendee, Airman First Class Mo Christian Zabala of the 97th Logistics Squadron.

Free activities available Saturday afternoon included horseback riding, go-karts, mini-golf, paddle boats, canoes, and of course the outdoor excitement of Quartz Mountain scenery, hiking, and fishing. A second campfire followed dinner.

Chaplain, Captain Donald Romero, said one of the purposes of Operation Retreat Haven is to provide people a chance to relax, and for those with families to spend time together focused on each other.

Sunday morning, attendees were encouraged to join together for a worship service and special Mother's Day brunch before check out.

"We're real pleased with it; this has been a good turn out," said Romero.

For more information on how you can attend or volunteer to help with the next Retreat Haven event, please contact the Chapel at 481- 7485.