MWR Liberty Program offers variety of activities to single Sailors

And even though the Liberty Program is primarily for junior, enlisted service members, all unaccompanied personnel assigned to U.S. Navy installations are eligible to participate in events. However, children under 18 are not allowed on trips and tours or inside the Liberty Center. Select activities allow guests to participate on a space available basis, but they do not receive the Liberty Program discounts.

Each Liberty Center is unique and reflects the local area and they are all alcohol and smoke-free facilities that provide free movies, television, video games, quiet rooms for reading and writing and computers with Internet access.

File photo Sailors climb the rock wall at the 2006 Barracks Bash.

The Liberty Cove Recreation Center at NAS Jacksonville offers a variety of activities on and off base. Inside the facility you will find several computers for easy access to the Internet, plasma televisions for playing video games and a movie theater with comfortable recliners. There are also several pool and ping-pong tables. If you enjoy playing pool, several tournaments are scheduled this month including a doubles tournament, eight-ball tournament and a nine-ball tournament.

The tournaments are held every Wednesday at Liberty Cove with first place being awarded a $25 gift certificate to the Navy exchange and the second place winner receives a $10 gift certificate.

Another exciting tournament held every Monday, is the Texas Hold'em poker tournament at The Zone. Gift certificates from The Zone are awarded to the first through third place winners. "I think it's great that there's something to do and somewhere for single Sailors to go," said IT2 Sherri Hill. "Sometimes it's hard to find affordable activities, but the recreation center offers us great outings that are very reasonable."

Photo by MC1 (AW) Melissa Robertson-Leake Single Sailors utilize the Liberty Cove Recreation Center's computers for Internet access.

MWR programs are priced to be competitive with establishments located outside the base and if you do a price/value comparison you'll be sure to choose MWR every time! Liberty Cove program coordinators schedule activities monthly for Sailors. "Our main focus is to get Sailors active in the community. Getting Sailors out of the barracks to interact with each other and trying things they haven't done before such as whitewater rafting or horseback riding is our goal," explained Assistant Liberty Coordinator Darlene Bielarski.

The Liberty Cove Recreation Center provides a home away from home with a environment that's friendly, comfortable and that provides Sailors with an escape route from the stress of a daily work routine," she added. The center also offers opportunities to go on roller-skating, skydiving and Comedy Zone trips, take free golf lessons and attend great concerts and baseball games.

Photo by MC1 (AW) Melissa Robertson-Leake CSSN Daniel Schneider and Linda Jones compete in a friendly game of ping-pong at Liberty Cove Recreation Center.

One of the most anticipated events is the annual Barracks Bash. The 2007 Barracks Bash is scheduled for May 9 from 3:30-7:30 p.m. in the barracks courtyard. Liberty Cove sponsors this annual event to give Sailors living in the barracks an opportunity to get out of the barracks and to have an enjoyable time with fun entertainment. Activities will include sumo wrestling, rock climbing, a dunking booth along with music and lots of delicious food.

Liberty Cove Recreation Center is open Monday-Sunday 10 a.m. to midnight. For more information on upcoming events, contact the Liberty Cove Recreation Center at 542-1335.