Thursday, September 25, 2008

Sports and Recreation briefs

Fitness centers update

Graves Fitness Center racquetball courts #1 and #3 will be closed through today for the installation of a new rock climbing wall.
The Body Shop will be closed through Sunday for the ceiling to be painted. A small selection of the Shop’s fitness equipment will be moved to Specker Field House.
Specker will be open as an alternative to Graves from 5:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., Monday through Friday. Graves’ hours will be extended to 10 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Organization Day hours
The fitness centers will adjust their hours Friday for Organization Day. Graves Fitness Center will be open from 5:30 to 11 a.m. and 2 to 10 p.m. Specker Field House will be open from 5:30 to 11 a.m.

Hoop Fest canceled
Fort Belvoir’s Got Game Hoop Fest, scheduled for Saturday, has been cancelled due to lack of sign-ups. For more information, call 703-806-3100.

Basketball tryouts
County basketball tryouts for ages 9 to 18 will be at Specker Field House Oct. 1 to 6 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. during the week and noon to 1 p.m. during the weekend. More information is available at 703-805-9139.

Hang gliding classes
Outdoor Recreation offers a hang gliding class Oct. 25 from 8 a.m to 2 p.m..
Students are taught basic instruction on hang gliding and have the chance to go on three to four tow gliding experiences. More dates may be scheduled based on interest. $125 per person.
Students are encouraged to bring water and a snack. Participants must be 110 pounds to participate; a weight belt may be available to meet requirements.
Contact Natalie Boutte at 703-805-1226 for more information.

Dash for Dad/ Depend 10K
Runners in the Washington D.C. area are encouraged to lace up their sneakers for ZERO - The Project to End Prostate Cancer for its first Dash for Dad/ Depend 10K at 8 a.m. Sunday.
The race begins at the AMC Hoffman Center in Alexandria.
All proceeds benefit prostate cancer early detection research and provide free screenings in the area.
For more information and to register, visit http://www.DashforDad.org.

Open chess championship
The 49th annual US Armed Forces Open Chess Championship is Oct. 11 to 13 at the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda. The event is open to all active duty, reservists, military retirees, cadets and ROTC (with DoD identification) with a USCF membership.
Trophies are awarded in categories such as top three, top by branch, top by class and other special categories.
Entry forms can be completed at http://www.usmilitarychess.org, or printed and mailed to Ernest Schlich, 1370 S. Braden Crescent, Norfolk, VA, 23502 with rank, name, USCF ID#, current rating and branch of service.
More information is available from Ernest Schlich at or 757-853-5296.

Fast and Furriest 5K run/walk
EventNet and the Vola Lawson Animal Shelter of Alexandria invite military families to the inaugural Columbus Day Fast and Furriest 5K run/walk Oct. 13.
The race will begin at the Belle Haven Sailing Marina with packet pick-up at 8 a.m. and dog activities at 8:30 a.m. Runners without dogs will leave at 9 a.m.; runners with dogs at 9:15 a.m.; and walkers with and without dogs at 9:30 a.m.
The shelter will also provide dogs to adopt for the walk.
Two-legged participants receive t-shirts and four-legged participants receive bandanas.
Entry fee is $25 for runners, $30 for runners with dog and $20 for children. A $10 charge will be added to entrants after Oct. 1. A portion of the registration fee will offset food, treatment and care for shelter animals along with daily operations and outreach programs.
Register online at http://www.active.com and search “fast and furriest.” Registration forms can also be downloaded at http://www.myeventpro.net, or e-mailed or mailed by request at .
More information is available from Catherine Roper, EventNet, at 703-966-7202 or .

Group exercise classes
The new session of group exercise classes runs through Nov. 1. Enjoy all the different classes for one price of $62. 25 percent discount is available for active duty. Walk-in fee per class without a pre-paid pass is $5 ($3 for active duty).
Try classes such as pilates, indoor cycling, rep fusion, Zumba, kickboxing and more. Call 703-806-5368/3100 for more information or sign up at Graves Fitness Center or the Body Shop.

WABA 50 States and 13 Colonies ride
The Washington Area Bicyclist Association is hosting the 50 States and 13 Colonies ride at 8 a.m. Oct. 11, beginning at the Walter Pierce Park in Washington.
The 50 States ride is a 60-plus mile ride. The ride covers all 50 state streets in all eight DC Wards. The 13 Colonies ride is nearly 15 miles and covers streets named for each of the 13 original colonies. Both rides are for cyclists experienced and comfortable riding in city streets with traffic.
There will be a start/finish area and three pit stops stocked with water, food and a bike mechanic.
For more information, e-mail .

Post basketball tryouts
MWR Sports is seeking players and a coach for the women’s basketball program and players for the men’s team. Visit Graves Fitness Center or call 703-806-5589 for more information.

Hunting qualifications
Hunting qualifications, also called the archery shooting proficiency test, is required for anyone wishing to hunt on Fort Belvoir.
Qualifications continue Wednesdays and Thursdays from 4 to 7 p.m. through Nov. 6.
Hunters must complete a registration card and pay the annual hunting registration fee of $30 for the season.
Hunters must present their 2008-2009 hunting licenses and complete a registration form; please contact the Archery Center for details.
Mechanical broadheads are permitted for qualifications only when presented with the same manufactured broadheads which will be used for hunting.
More information is available from the Archery Center/Hunting Check Station at 703-805-3688, Wednesday through Friday, 1 to 9 p.m. and Saturday to Sunday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Pioneer softball league
The Pioneer softball league seeks girls ages 7 to 12 for fall softball. Contact the Pioneer softball manager at 703-933-2389 for registration and more information.
Fall baseball
Registration for the fall season of baseball is now underway. Space is available for at least one team in age brackets 8 to 10, 10 to 11, 13 and 14. 
Games will be played with teams in neighboring Fort Belvoir communities.  Teams should be formed by early September as games will begin as school begins.  The season runs until mid October, approximately six weeks, playing games twice per week.
Team managers are also needed. Contact Jerry Arrington at 703-805-9139.

Outdoor adventures
Looking for adventure? You’ve got it! Fort Belvoir Outdoor Recreation is gearing up to provide you with some memorable outdoor experiences! At least once a month you’ll have the opportunity to sign up for an exciting trip (prices include transportation) including skydiving, hot air ballooning, canoeing and white water rafting.
Special rates are available for families and E-5 and below. Call 703-805-1226.

Virginia hunter education course
The Virginia State Hunter Education course is at the Outdoor Recreation classroom, Bldg. 778. Class dates are Oct. 15, 6 to 9 p.m. and Oct. 19, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Students must attend both classes and take final exam on Nov. 2 to receive class certificate.
This year’s final class is new from Department of Game and Inland Fisheries. Students study the course online, then register to come to
Fort Belvoir for final exam.
There is no fee for this class, but registration is required.
Register by calling the Archery Center/Hunting Check Station at 703-805-3688.

DC Rollergirls
The DC Rollergirls are recruiting new skaters for the upcoming season. Interleague play begins in October and ends in April with a championship bout in May. Home games will be played at the DC Armory.
Skaters must be 18 years of age or older to skate and health insurance is required. No previous experience is necessary.
More information is available from Diana Dawa at or http://www.dcrollergirls.com.

Fitness instructors needed
The Fort Belvoir fitness program is seeking an indoor cycling instructor and aerobics instructors. Call Anthony Poore at 703-806-3100 for more information.

Swimming lessons
Children’s swimming lessons are available Tuesdays and Thursdays or on weekends at Benyaurd Indoor Pool. Special pricing is available for families registering more than one child. Details and pricing information is available at 703-805-2620.

Adult recreational volleyball
Anyone over the age of 21 years is welcomed to play Adult Recreational Volleyball every Sunday 3 to 6 p.m. on the grass of the P-2 Field as three MWR volleyball courts are set-up for use.
In case of inclement weather, Wells Field House will be used if available. 
Directions and a map are available at http://www.BelvoirMWR.com. 
If you have any questions, concerns, please contact: Ron Valentine at or 703-805-2912 (work).