Photo By Emily Hileman | Mrs. Chung sniffs for the food pellets attendees had on the private safari ride at...... read more read more
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Better Opportunities for Single Soldiers hitched up the wagon and took single Soldiers of all ages that love animals to the Eudora Wildlife Safari Park, Sept. 16.
When a Soldier recommended the safari park to Staff Sgt. Andy Navas, the Fort Jackson BOSS president, he immediately started researching and planning an activity.
“She told me on a weekend and on the next Monday, I went to the office and looked it up,” he said. “Most people go through in their personal cars, but when I saw they have a private wagon, I knew we had to do it and it was great. We were all able to interact, talk and enjoy it at the same time.”
As the name and mission of BOSS suggests, their goal is to enhance the morale and welfare of Single service members, but that doesn’t stop at Soldiers living in the barracks. It is also extended to single parents and service members that are geographically separated from their significant others.
“I saw the BOSS trip through an email from Fort Jackson and I thought it was a great opportunity to bring my little one,” said Staff Sgt. Bianca Stuart. “It had animals and I know she loves animals and I personally do too. It seemed like a great way to get away from the installation and get out and have fun.”
Stuart, a Human Resources Specialist with 120th Adjutant General Battalion and a single parent, jumped on the opportunity to get away from post and enjoy the experience with her daughter and other single parents.
“Not every activity is single parent oriented, but I try to do as much as I can for them,” Navas said. “Even if we’re just doing a cookout, bring your kids and there will likely be other kids as well. It’s a good time for them to just have fun, play with each other and maybe even make a new friend.”
Following the one-hour trip through the safari with a tour guide, attendees were dropped off at the petting zoo which also included pony rides, a playground and concessions.
“It was a great way to get away from post and have fun with others that also like animals,” Stuart said. “You had the petting zoo; you can feed the animals as they approach you and they have different vendors our here. It’s just relaxing.”
“When I saw that BOSS was doing a safari, and I’ve always loved animals,” said Spc. Shandell Brown, a frequent attendee of BOSS events, “ I knew I had to come out here and see some cool animals, pet and maybe even feed them.”
Brown, a single Soldier and Healthcare Specialist assigned to Moncrief Army Health Clinic, said he has attended nearly every BOSS trip since the Edisto River Adventure trip in June.
“I happened to see that they were doing a river trip and I’ve never done stuff like that with friends or anything,” he said. “So, I decided to try it and see what it was like and I just kept coming back.”
For those who might still be on the fence about attending BOSS events, Brown advised others to at least try it one time.
“Come out once and have some fun,” he said. “If you don’t like it, then that’s alright, I’ll understand, but more than likely you’ll enjoy it.”
The next BOSS activity is a Concealed Carry Safety Course, Sept. 22. It’s an all-day class required for Soldiers to get a South Carolina concealed carry permit. Those interested in the course or other BOSS events should call (803) 629-9781 or email ftjacksonboss@gmail.com.
| Date Taken: | 09.21.2023 |
| Date Posted: | 09.21.2023 15:29 |
| Story ID: | 453983 |
| Location: | FORT JACKSON, SOUTH CAROLINA, US |
| Web Views: | 20 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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