SMP provides wholesome off-time fun

Photo By Sgt. Daniel Jean-Paul | A Single Marine Program representative watches as two teams compete in the first-ever All Camps Dodgeball Tournament and Barbecue June 27, at Gunner’s Gym on Camp Foster, Okinawa, Japan. According to Durell Archie, the Camp Foster SMP coordinator, the dodgeball tournament is part of an effort by SMP to provide single and unaccompanied service members with the opportunity to break the monotony of barracks life by engaging them in positive activities to take part in. “It’s a great way for service members to stay active in their off-time and it’s good, wholesome fun,” said Archie.  

CAMP FOSTER, OKINAWA, JAPAN

06.27.2015

Story by Lance Cpl. Daniel Jean-Paul 

Marine Corps Installations Pacific

CAMP FOSTER, Japan - The Marine Corps Base Camp Butler Single Marine Program hosted its first-ever All Camps Dodgeball Tournament and Barbecue June 27, at Gunner’s Gym on Camp Foster, Okinawa, Japan.

Teams representing Camp Foster, Hansen, Schwab, the Installation Personnel Administration Center, Marine Wing Communications Squadron 18 and Marine Corps Installations Pacific Headquarters competed in an eight-team, round-robin tournament. Each of the teams faced off with one another at least once in heavily contested matches, with IPAC “Arsenal” going undefeated. SMP presented The Arsenal and the runners-up with prizes ranging from specially made coins to an engraved plaque.

After the awards were presented, the service members were treated to a barbecue, where they enjoyed burgers, hot dogs and each other’s company.

“It was a great time,” said Sgt. Ernesto-Sebastian Sanchez, an electrician with the III Marine Headquarters Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force and member of the Camp Hansen team. “Even though we didn’t win, it felt great to come out here with the other Marines and have fun doing something a little different.”

According to Durell Archie, the Camp Foster SMP coordinator, the dodgeball tournament is part of an effort by SMP to provide single and unaccompanied service members with the opportunity to break the monotony of barracks life by engaging them in positive activities to take part in.

“It’s a great way for service members to stay active in their off-time and it’s good, wholesome fun,” said Archie.

SMP organizes various events throughout Camp Butler and the Okinawa community for service members to attend, such as weekend trips, community involvement opportunities and recreational activities including the Naha Dragon Boat Races, Mount Fuji hikes and camp perimeter cleanups.

“The Single Marine Program allows service members to get out of their comfort zones and meet new people while doing things they’ve never thought they would do,” said Lance Cpl. Abigail A. Denmark, treasurer for the Camp Foster SMP. “We’re constantly trying to come up with new, interesting activities and trips for service members to attend.”

According to Archie, the program hopes that the success of this tournament will help garner more interest in future ones.

“The more people we can get out to these events the better,” said Archie. “If we can get more people interested in these smaller events, we’ll be able to host things on a much larger scale.”

SMP plans to hold a dodgeball tournament quarterly, with every installation of Camp Butler being represented.

• Date Taken: 06.27.2015
• Date Posted: 07.09.2015 01:10
• Story ID: 168852
• Location: CAMP FOSTER, OKINAWA, JP