Limited access fishing returns to Monroe today

The time has come to practice your “one-that-got-away” stories ... Fort Monroe fishing is back!

Effective today, anglers can wet their lines in designated fishing areas across post, according to the Directorate of Family Morale, Welfare and Recreation here. Those locations, and who can fish them, are as follows:

• The Old Fort Moat is only open to DoD identification card holders, their immediate families and up to three guests. Fishing is permitted 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

• The Mill Creek Boat Ramp is open to all fishermen from dawn until dusk, seven days a week.

• Old Point Comfort Marina (OPCM) slip holders and their guests may fish from the A-dock and T-heads located at the end of each dock;

• All community members and guests may fish along the seawall, beach and banks of the Chesapeake Bay and Mill Creek shoreline, except in specific “no fishing” areas as posted or outlined below.

• Fishing and/or crabbing is prohibited at the following locations: OPCM piers, The Chamberlin, the Access Control Point ramp (southeast of OPCM), and the beach at the Bay Breeze Community Center. Additionally, Engineer Pier, the Finger Pier and all of the adjacent seawall construction areas are not currently open for fishing. These areas will re-open when the seawall construction project is completed in 2009.

The Commonwealth of Virginia does require a saltwater license in order to fish with rod and reel, hand line, spear, or any other fishing device. Authorized patrons fishing on Fort Monroe must have in their possession a saltwater fishing license and DoD identification card, if applicable.

Exceptions to this policy include children under age 16, seniors ages 65 and older, those fishing from a recreational boat (owned, leased or rented) or head boat, individuals with physical or mental limitations, visitors from the veterans’ medical centers, and school groups (grades K-12) with permission from the Commission of Game and Inland Fisheries.

To access a printable copy of the Fort Monroe Recreation Land and Water Use Guide, click on the Marina link at www.monroemwr.com, and then follow the link titled “Fishing Map, Regulations and Guidelines.”

For other information, contact the OPCM staff at 788-4308.

CYS to conduct camp registration

Summer camp registration for school-aged kids is scheduled for May 5 to 8 at the Central Registration Office in Building 246 from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Summer camp begins June 16 and ends Aug. 29.

Camp Summerfun is for kids who completed grades 1 through 5 and Camp X-treme provides activities for youth who have finished grades 6 through 8. Hours of operation for Camp Summerfun are 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, with the exception of July 4. Camp X-treme hours are Monday to Wednesdan and Friday from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday field trips may go later than 1 p.m.

The program is open to children of active duty and military retirees; DoD, Coast Guard and AAFES civilian and contract employees; and reservists or National Guardmen on active duty. Spaces will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis.

Camp activities include sports, arts and crafts, cooking, technology lab skills, music and dance, special events and more.

Fieldtrip fees are a separate cost from the weekly fees. Fieldtrip destinations include Ocean Breeze water park, laser tag, Jungle Putt Putt, and a variety of other fun places. Breakfast, lunch and a snack are included.

The cost for camp is based on the total family income. Fees for Camp Summerfun range from $42 to $97 per week; Camp X-treme fees are $21 to $75 per week with a 10-percent discount for additional siblings. Also, a $20 non-refundable deposit per week is required.

For more information, call Donna Marchigiani at 788-3595 for Camp Summerfun and Beth Sigler 788-2427 for Camp X-treme.

Shorts

Golf Championship
The preliminary rounds for the 2008 Military Long Drive Championship are just around the corner. Several Army installations within driving distance of Fort Monroe will be hosting the qualifying events that will lead up to the final showdown scheduled for Oct. 24 in Mesquite, Nev. The top prize is $10,000 and an automatic spot in the 2009 championships at the same location.

Among the installations that will conduct first-round competitions between July 11 and Aug. 31 are: Fort Lee, Va.; Fort Dix, N.J.; Fort Meade, Md.; Carlisle Barracks, Pa., and Forts Benning, Gordon and McPherson in Georgia. The second round sites have yet to be identified.

The object of the competition is to drive a golf ball as far as possible without it landing out of bounds. Last year, U.S. Coast Guard Airman Ryan Hixson won the inaugural Army DFMWR event with a drive of 367 yards.

The competition is open to all active-duty service members, reservists, retirees and military family members over 18 years of age. For more information, visit www.ArmyMWR.com.

Soccer Shootout
All volleyball enthusiasts in the Fort Monroe community are invited to the City of Hampton’s 3-D Sand Soccer Shootout, scheduled from May 31 to June 1 at Buckroe Beach.

The action will be non-stop as each competing team plays up to three games in a round-robin format. The age divisions range from under eight to 30 and older. Only the top two teams from each division will advance to the finals.

In addition to a whole bunch of fun in the sand, the beach tournament is meant to be a fundraising opportunity for youth-focused non-profit organizations, according to organizers from the North American Sand Soccer Championship Association. Interested groups can register with 3D Soccer for free and set up an activity booth at the event to raise awareness and funds for their cause.

The entry fee for those who would like to compete is $335. The registration deadline is May 2. For more information, visit www.3dsandsoccer.info.

Ten-Miler Team
All Fort Monroe runners, regardless of their speed, are invited to join the installation running team and take part in this year’s Army 10-Miler scheduled for Oct. 5 in Washington D.C.

Those interested should act fast – registration for the 10-Miler opened April 1 and the 26,000 slots are expected to fill up quickly. Last year’s slots were snatched up in a record 42 days. For more information, contact Bill Jones at 788-4471 or william.jones@us.army.mil.

Golf for Kids
Start Smart Golf registration begins April 20 and ends May 3 at the Community Activities Center, 100 Stilwell Road. The playing season is May 5 to June 9.

Children ages four through seven will learn golf basics along with the game’s nine core values – integrity, honesty, respect, courtesy, judgment, confidence, perseverance, responsibility and sportsmanship, according to sponsors.

Participants must be current Child and Youth Services members and have a valid sports physical on file. The cost is $40 for the first child and $32 for each additional child from the same family. For more information, call 788-3957.

Pool Pass Special
An Early Bird Special is being offered for outdoor pool passes until April 30 only. For active duty military members, an individual pass costs $66 and a family pass is $100 ($75 for ranks E-5 and below). Retirees; DoD, NASA and Veterans Administration civilians; non-transient Fort Monroe contractors and their eligible family members may purchase individual passes for $100 or a family pass for $200 for the season.

Starting May 1, regular pool pass prices will be in effect with no exceptions.
For more information, call 788-3301.

Area Runs

Dismal Swamp Stomp, Saturday — This 2nd annual event features a flat 13.1-mile course in Chesapeake, Va. All runners must be able to complete the course in 3.5 hours or less.

The start time is 8 a.m., rain or shine. A children’s half-mile fun run also is scheduled for 11 a.m. The top prizes for adult runners range from $125 to $1,300.

The registration fee is $55 for the half-marathon and $10 for the fun run. For more information, call (888) 889-5551.

Run for the Community 5k — Scheduled for Saturday, this Newport News Run will take place at Oyster Point Business Park. Registration begins at 7:30 a.m. and the run commences at 8:30 a.m.

Free t-shirts and “goody bags” are guaranteed for the first 200 runners. Light refreshments will be provided after the race.

For more information, call 329-7669.

Chesapeake Bay 10k — This April 26 event begins at Oceanview Beach Park. The race starts at 8 a.m.
T-shirts are available for the first 600 entrants only. A $150 prize will be awarded to the 1st place overall male and female and the 1st place overall finishers in the Masters’ division. The event also features a children’s fun run.

The registration fee is $35 for the 10k and $5 for the fun run. For more information, visit www.chesapeakebay10k.kalerunning.com.

Ford’s Colony Run for Shelter — Featuring a 5k and 8k run and walk, and a 1-mile fun run, this event begins at the D.J. Montague Elementary School in Williamsburg on April 26.

The fun run starts at 8:30 a.m., followed by the 8k at 9 a.m., and the 5k walk/run at 9:10 a.m. For more information, call 229-7375.

5k By the Bay — Scheduled for May 3, the Riverside Rehab 5k by the Bay will start at 9 a.m. at Peterson’s Yacht Basin in Newport News.

Proceeds from the race will benefit the Denbigh House of Newport News and the Brain Injury Association of Virginia’s 25th Annual Camp Bruce McCoy.

The registration fee is $15 if received before April 25. For more information, call 928-8145 or visit www.riversideonline.com/rri/5k-by-the-bay.cfm.

4th Annual JFS Run, Roll or Stroll — Presented by Jewish Family Services of Tidewater, this May 4 event begins at 7:45 a.m. at 24th Street and Atlantic Avenue, Virginia Beach. For more information, visit www.tidewaterstriders.com.