Put the FAM in family

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Solomon Cook
  • 325th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  For those in the military, speaking in acronyms is a way of life. One that may slip passed without much thought is "R and R", a little rest and relaxation.


Enter the FAM Camp, a location found on Tyndall in-between Bonita Bay Outdoor Recreation and the housing gate. It is a camp ground on the water with cabins and camper sites.


"We want to support military families," said Samantha Long, 325th Force Support Squadron FAM Camp manager. "FAM Camp is a place to relax and to come enjoy being with your family. Coming here is a chance to do something different and go on a 'staycation.'"


The FAM Camp has various amenities, such as a recreation center and fire-pit.


"When you are here, you don't feel like you're on base," said Long. "Being here is a chance for active duty members to be able to camp out but still being able to go to work in the morning."


FAM Camp is short for family. Like a family, visitors do what is needed to keep the camp in good condition, additionally; portions of the camp were built by the FAM Camp visitors themselves.

"I really enjoy the people," said Long. "Those that are regulars here really take pride in the camp; they decorate their lots and do landscaping as if they were at home. The recreation center is actually a log cabin that was built by visitors."


Campers have also built park benches, made repairs to walkways and other things, Long added.


Inside the recreation center, there are activities hosted such as movie nights, darts tournaments and senior aerobics.


In addition to the activities going on at the camp, the visitors go out into the local community to share the family feeling with others.


"The FAM Camp has an Angel Tree every Christmas season," said Long. "People from the Emerald Shores nursing home give us the names of several residents who may be in need of some love and care to brighten the holiday season for them. We have a Santa from here that delivers all the presents and speaks to each resident during the holiday."


The FAM Camp also donates food and winter clothes to local churches and the Anchorage Orphanage for Thanksgiving, Long added.


The FAM camp will continue to serve the military and give them a place to relax and feel like family.


"Around the camp, if anyone has a problem someone will help you," said David Joyner, 325th FSS recreation aid. "No matter what it is, no questions asked. We really are like a big family."