Recreation

Academy Falcon Club (All Ranks)
(719) 333-4253
The Academy Falcon Club, located on Academy Drive, features lunch and dinner menus, and a popular Sunday brunch. The restaurant is open to all patrons, although only club members receive discounts. The club serves up some of the best prime rib, filet mignon and salmon in the Colorado Springs area. No need to go far for a great meal with great service in a familiar and friendly atmosphere.

The club is open for membership to Air Force officers, all enlisted personnel assigned, active, retired and federal civilian employees, grades GS-7, WS-8, WG-12, WL-6 grades and above, and enlisted membership G-6, WS-7, WG-11, WL-5 or below, including non-appropriated fund equivalents. Facilities are available for meetings, special parties, promotion parties, wedding receptions, coffee socials and buffets for 700 guests. An experienced club manager, club chef and catering manager provide the necessary expertise for a versatile and top-quality menu and event.

For more information on catered events call (719) 333-4677. Call (719) 333-4253 for information on fundraisers, dinner theaters, restaurant reservations, cooking demonstrations and much more.

Visitor Center
(719) 333-2025
The Barry Goldwater Visitor Center offers information about the Academy and exhibits on cadet life and Academy history. The 35,000-square-foot facility has a theater featuring a 14-minute film about the Academy every half-hour, a snack bar and gift shop. A 1/3-mile nature trail from the Visitor Center leads to the Cadet Chapel.

The Academy is open to visitors daily, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. The Visitor Center is open daily, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The center is closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day. For more information, call (719) 333-2025.

Aero Club
(719) 333-4423
The Academy Aero Club is located on the east side of the airfield. The Aero Club has six Cessna aircraft that are used for training and recreational flying. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. The club is open for flying, weather permitting, seven days a week—including holidays, sunrise to sunset. The Aero Club provides introduction to flight by arrangement. The club primarily conducts flight training for members to obtain their private pilot's license; however, advanced training is also available. All instruction is by FAA certified instructors. In addition, the Aero Club provides testing for all FAA required knowledge tests.

Athletic Facilities
(719) 333-4522
The Cadet Field House is the center of many cadet sports activities. It houses Clune Arena, a 5,834-seat basketball arena, a 2,502-seat ice hockey arena, and a multipurpose area consisting of a football-sized Astroturf infield and a 1/6 mile track. It also houses training rooms, locker rooms, the ticket office, a gift shop, snack bar and administrative offices.

To the west of the field house is the cadet gymnasium. This is where most cadet physical education classes are taught. It houses three gyms with basketball courts, varsity volleyball courts, an Olympic-sized natatorium with diving tower and a water polo pool.

Base Fitness and Sports Center
(719) 333-3531
The base fitness and sports center is located across from the enlisted dormitories. A $5.1 million renovation was recently completed, adding 20,000 square feet to the facility making it a total of 75,000 square feet.

Recreation activities include:
• Swimming
• Racquetball courts
• Basketball
• Volleyball
• Walleyball
• Outdoor tennis

Fitness activities include:
• Aerobics classes
• Spinning classes
• Martial arts classes
• Stretching classes

The latest weight machines, free weight and cardiovascular equipment are available. The aerobic/weight room features wireless televisions, allowing exercisers to watch/listen to the channel of their choice. The Academy Health and Wellness Center is across from the civil engineer complex, off Stadium Boulevard near the South Gate. Services include health assessments, smoking cessation, cooking and other classes. A dietitian and physiologist are on staff to provide health and fitness counseling. Three racquetball courts and a variety of aerobic exercise machines are available by reservation one day in advance or on a space-available basis.

Intercollegiate Athletics
(719) 472-1895
One major benefit of Academy life is the opportunity to watch 27 varsity intercollegiate Air Force teams compete on the national level. Most sporting events are free with the exception of football, men's and women's basketball, ice hockey and women's volleyball. Tickets are sold in the Falcon Athletic Center, located next to the Cadet Field House. Academy staff and faculty members are offered membership in the Athletic Association. Members can buy season tickets at reduced prices. Call (719) 472-1895 for ticket information.

Bowling
(719) 333-4709
Year-round bowling, seven days a week can be enjoyed at the Academy Lanes Bowling Center located across from the main exchange.

Thunder Alley Bowling is its newest program, with bowling in black-light, a spectacular sound system, fog and strobe lights. Twenty computerized lanes have automatic scoring and videotaping. There are glancer cushions and accommodations for children's special events, a game room, rental lockers, and rental balls and shoes are available. A snack bar features daily lunch specials. A fully equipped pro-shop offers ball drilling for a wide variety of brands, colors and weights.

There are also bowling bags, shoes, balls and accessories for sale. League play is available for men, women, mixed youth, seniors, cadets and others during the winter, plus intramural and varsity play. Special programs include scotch doubles tournaments, late night and noontime discount bowling, turkey shoot and ham bake tournaments.

Farish Recreation Area
(719) 687-9098
Farish Recreation Area, the Academy's year-round recreation facility, is a 42-mile drive west of the Academy. Farish may also be reached by hiking eight miles up the mountain from the Academy. Use of Farish is limited to active duty military members and other eligible personnel. Farish encompasses 655 acres of pristine mountain beauty situated at an altitude more than 9,000 feet above sea level, surrounded in part by the Pike National Forest.

A variety of overnight lodging accommodations are available all year, as well as camping during the summer. Reservations are required and may be made up to one year in advance. A new multipurpose center may be reserved for official or private functions for groups up to 75 people.

Fishing in three stocked lakes, pedal boat rides, hiking trails, picnic pavilions, volleyball and a playground are popular activities in the summer. Private boating, swimming and hunting are NOT permitted anytime. Winter brings snow tubing, cross-country skiing, snow shoeing, ice fishing, hockey and broom ball.

Farish is truly a naturalists' and photographers' paradise. Wildlife and wildflowers abound. Interpretive talks and outdoor nature activities are scheduled all year and may be customized for special groups such as family reunions, home school classes, scouts and others.

Eisenhower Golf Club
(719) 333-2606
The Eisenhower Golf Club, named after our 34th president, Dwight D. Eisenhower, is a scenic 36-hole golf facility that is home to one of the Air Force's premier golf courses. On July 8, 1963, President Eisenhower personally dedicated the Blue Course by hitting the ceremonial first shot off the number one tee. The driver Ike used is prominently displayed in the Eisenhower Room. The Blue Course is a championship layout designed by Robert Trent Jones. It measures 7,301 yards from the championship tees and is listed in the top 100 designed golf courses built prior to 1963 in the United States. It is usually among the top 10 courses in Colorado ranked annually by Golf Digest Magazine. The Silver Course, designed by Frank Hummel, opened in 1976 and is a demanding scenic course where a premium is placed on accuracy rather than length. It measures 6,519 yards from the championship tees. Both courses demand shot-making and great putting to score well. A full tournament schedule each year provides players the opportunity to challenge these courses under tournament conditions. The Eisenhower facility also provides an excellent driving range, three practice putting greens, two chipping greens, the Tee House snack bar, the Falcon Nest lounge, men's and women's locker rooms and a fully-stocked pro-shop.

Rampart Range Sportsmen's Club
The Rampart Range Sportsmen's Club works with the Colorado State Division of Wildlife on projects around the Academy and when applicable assists the civil engineering forestry section. The clubhouse is located on the Academy just north of the South Gate near Kettle Lake and boasts a trap range and horseshoe court. Hunter education classes are scheduled by calling the club (719-333-4441) voice mail prompt which in-turn puts you in contact with club members Chuck and Lyn Money for hunter education information. They've been awarded State of Colorado Hunter Education Instructor of the Year, State of Colorado South East Region Hunter Education Instructor of the Year, and placed in the top 6th out of 50 states in the International Hunter Education Association (IHEA). Club members meet every Thursday night. Members must be active duty military, retired, or civilians assigned to the Academy.

Outdoor Recreation Centers
and Information, Tickets and Tours
Vandenberg Outdoor Recreation
(719) 333-3138
The Vandenberg Outdoor Recreation Center is located in Vandenberg Hall, Room 1C15, and can be used by all Academy-affiliated personnel. This shop offers a wide variety of programs, rentals and retail. Rental items include mountain bikes, camping, fishing, backpacking gear, skis, snowboards, boots and poles. Accessories and clothing for almost any outdoor sport are available for purchase. In the winter, a full-service ski shop offers repairs on skis and snowboards.

Vandenberg ITT
(719) 333-4602
The Vandenberg Information, Ticket and Tours office offers tickets to Front Range ski resorts and some other attractions. Bus transportation for cadets to Denver International Airport and Colorado Springs Airport can be arranged for Thanksgiving, Christmas and Spring Break holidays.

Community Center Outdoor Recreation
(719) 333-4475
The main Outdoor Recreation Center is located in the Community Center on the north end of Building 5136. It includes equipment checkout with a wide variety of camping, hunting, fishing, gardening, lawn and ski gear; RV lots and picnic areas; the Information, Tickets and Tours Center; the Outdoor Adventure Program at (719) 333-2940, which offers year-round trips including white-water rafting, kayaking, fishing, camping, canoeing, downhill and cross-country skiing, big game hunt camps and classes including global positioning system and the ski shop.

ITT offices offer countless brochures and maps available for travel and vacation planning. A professional, friendly staff provides the convenience and service of a quality travel agency. There are discount tickets for national, Denver, and local attractions, and several major sporting events. Both offices conduct special seasonal tours, and maintain contracts for discount condominium and hotel lodging in Colorado, southern California, Utah, Wyoming, New Mexico and Canada. During the winter, lodging and special ski packages are available at most major ski areas in the state, as well as discounted lift tickets.

The center rents, sells or leases downhill and cross-country ski equipment to all levels of skiers ranging from beginners to experts. Technicians will properly fit you with boots, skis and poles. The ski shop, (719) 333-2492, offers a wide range of ski repair and tune-up services such as edging, waxing, base repair and binding mounts. Military discounted ski lift tickets are available for ID card holders only. The ski season generally runs from Thanksgiving through Easter. Overnight and daily ski trips can be reserved through the OAP staff.

Colorado R & R Travel
(719) 333-7367
Destination Leisure Travel Office is a land-only service travel office. Patrons can book a vacation through this office. Offering discounted lodging reservations in Colorado, Utah, California, New Mexico, Arizona, Oregon, Montana, Idaho and the Canadian Rockies. We also provide reservations for car rentals and recreational activities. Colorado R & R is located in the outdoor recreation center. For more information, call (719) 333-7367.

Rocky Mountain Blue
(719) 333-3348
An Air Force Services contracted program with Keystone Resort provides discounted military rates and services for lodging, conference facilities, family vacationing, weddings, reunions, special events, ground transportation, lift tickets, equipment rental, recreational activities (such as golf and whitewater rafting), meals and eateries for our military and DoD customers. For more information, call (866) 768-2583.

FamCamp
(719) 333-4980
Located east of Falcon Stadium, the Peregrine Pines FamCamp has 105 wooded sites available for camping, and all sites have electrical, water and sewage hookups. Facilities include: two bath houses with laundry rooms, picnic tables, barbecue grills, trash receptacles, leveled parking with some pull-throughs, eight tent sites for primitive camping. A water station is at the nearby picnic area, and a dump station is located on the premises. There is a 30-day limit for RV camping during the summer (Memorial Day to Labor Day). The FamCamp is open year-round depending on weather conditions. The FamCamp Office is open from May 1 to the last home football game.

RV Lot
(719) 333-4356
The Outdoor Recreation Center maintains two recreational vehicle storage lots located near the South Gate with space for vehicles from small trailers to large RVs. Active duty, retirees and other eligible personnel on or off-base may use the lot. A monthly fee is charged. Base residents are prohibited from maintaining and storing RVs at their residence, and therefore have priority.

Picnic Areas
(719) 333-4753
Two picnic areas are located northeast of Falcon Stadium, and are open May 1 through Sept. 30. They are available to groups or families, by reservation only (government ID card is required). A restroom facility is conveniently located nearby. Picnic Area #2 has a covered pavilion, a built-in grill, a sand volleyball court and a horseshoe pit. It can comfortably host up to 200 people. Picnic Area #3 also has a small covered pavilion, two large barbecue grills, two horseshoe pits and a sand volleyball court. It can host up to 75. Reservations for the picnic areas are made at the Outdoor Recreation Center, (719) 333-4356, beginning Feb. 1.

Skills Development Centers
(719) 333-4579/6136
The hobby shop area is located off Community Center Drive across from the Boy Scout huts, and includes the arts and crafts skills development center, wood skills center and auto skills center. The arts and crafts center provides professional services in customized matting and framing done with museum quality materials, with a large selection of mattes and frames. Customized engraving is offered on a variety of materials, including metal, wood, glass and plastic, as well as many more items for you to choose from. Military and civilian nametags and a variety of plaques are available. Inside the center is a ceramic shop with many molds for you to pour. There is a resale store where you may buy supplies at reduced rates. The center sponsors a wide range of classes for beginners through advanced skill levels in everything from stained glass, quilting, ceramics, pottery and framing. Classes are offered throughout the year at a nominal cost. If you have a special request for a class please come and talk to us, or call (719) 333-4579.

Command-level art and photography contests are held annually. Winners are forwarded to the Air Force level for further competition.

The wood skills development center runs an extensive framing program in cooperation with the arts and crafts center. A wide variety of power equipment is available including a planer, lathe, band saws, shaper, sanders, routers, radial arm saw, radial miter, drill press, framing saw and table saws. A tool crib provides hand and power tools to work selected projects. A trained instructor is on-duty during operating hours to assist the patrons and ensure safety compliance. Classes are offered for safety qualification, tool use and special projects. Other classes are available upon request. For more information, call (719) 333-6136.

Auto Skills Center
(719) 333-4752
The auto skills development center is one of the finest in the Air Force. The rising cost of car and motorcycle repair and general maintenance makes the use of the Academy auto skills shop a money-saver. Eleven work stalls are available including one for large recreational vehicles, plus a tool crib, two engine rebuild stalls, four lubrication racks, three lift stalls, a welding stall, an alignment machine, an automatic and four drive-through car wash stalls (open 24 hours a day during the summer), four vacuums and a steam cleaning pad. The professional, qualified staff offers on-hand technical advice. Equipment for steam cleaning engines, changing and spin balancing tires, charging batteries and cleaning spark plugs are all available. There is a large selection of tools and motor manuals, plus floor dollies and bumper jacks, engine hoists and a drill press. Classes are held throughout the year upon request. Services by shop personnel include headlight aiming, 80-ton hydraulic pressing, turning drums and rotors, easy computerized wheel balancing, McPherson strut spring pressing, valve grinding and head seating, computerized front and rear-end alignment, engine analyzer (Sun Machine) and computerized air-conditioning service. The auto hobby shop also offers emission testing. For more information, call (719) 333-4752.

Community Activities Center
(719) 333-2928/2802
Academy Community Activities is located downstairs in the Community Center, as well as the Milazzo Club Ballroom, Propeller room and kitchen. These areas are offered to the five mission elements—USAFA, cadet wing, prep school, ABW and DF—as well as other base occupants and special interest groups that operate here. The center provides a variety of core activities and services such as holiday/ seasonal/thematic base wide special events, performing arts, entertainment and other cultural programs, as well as meeting areas in support of commander's calls, retirements, wedding receptions, training, squadron functions, instructional/ self improvement classes and holiday parties.

Pilates, weight management, dog obedience, movies in the park, holiday craft bazaars and other programs are offered year round. Special events include Tops In Blue, holiday craft bazaars, Missoula Children's Theater, USAFA Annual Family Picnic, AF Teen Aviation Camp, Parent Teen Talent Contest, Parent Teen Outdoor Adventure Camp, AF Chess Tournament and others come around once a year. For more information, call (719) 333-2928/2802/2133.

Equestrian Center
(719) 333-4607
The equestrian center is located south of Pine Valley housing and west of Air Academy High School. Approximately 25 horses are available for rent by the hour or day from April through October and are available for lease by the season during the fall and winter. Located within the Academy boundaries are miles of beautiful riding trails. Boarding facilities are available for more than 75 privately owned horses on a full or partial-care basis. A new horse facility features private 12 ft. by 12 ft. stalls with individual 36 ft. run pens and a 16 ft. wide alleyway.

There are facilities to accommodate show horses. The center is host to the cadet equestrian team, conducts horsemanship seminars and twilight horseback rides. During the spring and summer months numerous trail rides are conducted by reservation. All types and levels of instructional classes are offered. Special group hayrides can be arranged by calling (719) 333-4607.

Local Media
Colorado Springs is home to nearly two dozen AM and FM radio stations, four network affiliated and two independent television stations and The Gazette, the city's daily newspaper. Denver newspapers and USA Today are also available in the area. Residents on or off the Academy have the option of subscribing to a cable television service. Additionally, Academy residents have viewing access to the installation's closed circuit television channel, Channel 4, which broadcasts the Pentagon Channel. Similar to a CNN news format, the Pentagon Channel broadcasts military news from all branches of the service 24 hours a day. For more information, contact Academy Public Affairs at (719) 333-2990.