MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. -- Every year right before the summer time, the Marine Corps stresses safety to its Marines and sailors during the 101 Critical Days of Summer campaign, since the hot, sunny season is considered the most dangerous part of the year for safety mishaps.
But, Marine Corps Community Services Semper Fit Division aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, for the second straight year, is making the summer campaign more akin to the competitive nature of Marines and sailors.
Take “critical” out, and you have the 101 Days of Summer, a summer-long event designed to foster athletic and recreational competition while promoting safety.
The event kicked off May 20 at Liversedge Field with various units competing against each other in volleyball. The events will run through Sept. 2 with tug-of-war as the final competition at W.P.T. Field aboard the base.
Open to all units, the competition is broken into three divisions. The large division consists of 1,000 personnel or more; medium with 500-999 and small with less than 500. First place units will receive $1,000, $750 and $500 respectively and second place finishers will receive $750, $500 and $250.
Each unit that shows up to an event will automatically receive one point, and depending on how they finish, 10 points will be awarded to first place and five for second. After the last competition in September, the winners will be announced.
Susan Goodrich, the branch head for the Single Marine Program, Semper Fit Division, MCCS, said the event was created with the intent to make more people aware about the dangers of illicit drug use, alcohol abuse, and offer fun, healthy alternatives as an option.
“We can get more Marines and sailors out here by using this event to draw them in and educate them,” said Goodrich. “At these events, we have the Department of Defense (multi-media campaign), ‘That Guy,’ to inform service members about consequences of excessive drinking to the MCCS Health Promotion staff handing out sunscreen to prevent people from getting sun burnt. It’s a fun, informative environment.”
She said while last year was a success, they hope to raise the bar this year by getting the word out more.
“Last year, we had good turnouts, but not where we wanted to be,” said Goodrich. “This year, we have briefed the units and requested each of them to have a point of contact who will be responsible for spreading the message to all of their Marines and sailors.”
In addition to last year, 101 Days of Summer will make the event more convenient to those service members who would like to participate.
“We put more locations throughout the base so the average service member doesn’t have to find different modes of travel to get to any one place,” said Goodrich. “We’ll utilize (gymnasiums), recreation centers and fields at places such as Courthouse Bay and Stone Bay.”
This year, however, could be a win-win situation for any particular unit participating. If a unit already has a team for an event, such as three-on-three basketball, another team can be assembled and compete.
“We won’t put a set limit on how many teams from one unit that wants to participate,” said Goodrich. “Put it this way, that gives that unit more of a chance of coming out on top.”
The summer-long event includes kayaking, skeet, three-on-three basketball, video gaming, home-run derby, dodge ball, billiards, golf and bowling. The next event, three-on-three basketball, is today at 11:30 a.m. at various gymnasiums aboard MCB Camp Lejeune.
For more information about 101 Days of Summer, or to get the full summer schedule, call 451-4642 or visit www.mccslejeune.com/101days.