Guarding wellness

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Daniel Ter Haar
  • 185th ARW

A recent wellness camp for members of the Iowa Air and Army National Guard was hosted by the 185th Air Refueling Wing in Sioux City, Iowa. The camp is designed not only to help members kick start their own fitness regimens, but to improve overall health.

Master Sgt. Ben Blackford, one of nine 185th ARW facilitators for the program, said that the week-long class teaches more than just physical fitness with classroom instruction in the morning and workouts in the evening.

“We teach wellness, anything from spiritual to social and financial wellness, members even learn about how to deal with addictions and habits,” said Blackford.

According to Blackford, the role of a facilitator is to ignite change and to break down the personal barriers that stifle wellness. The 185th ARW wellness camp facilitators may have various positions within the unit but all are focused on encouraging National Guard members to start healthy habits.

“With this program, we use it as a kick starter or a catalyst to start that drive, we like to get people to ask what can I do to better myself,” said Blackford.

According to organizers, the program is on the fifth year and is open to any Iowa Air or Army National Guard member and their spouses.

Blackford also said that there was a tentative April class in the works.

 

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