July 12, 2018 · mccsokinawa.com
Bouncy Houses & Pool
Photos courtesy of Southeast Botanical Gardens, galitskaya/bigstock.com
Scuba Certifications
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n Saturday, July 21, join MCCS Tours+ on a trip to Southeast Botanical Gardens for an ultimate day of fun in the sun! It’s summertime, and that means the Gardens has finally resurrected their giant inflatable bouncy houses and pool. From 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., you’re invited to sit back, relax and watch your kids have the time of their lives splashing and bouncing around. This tour is sure to have them over the moon. The tour will also grant you full admission to the rest of the park. Make friends with the adorable animals that live in the petting zoo. Feed ducks, goats, monkeys and other cute animals. Or, take a stroll through the 1,300 species of exotic trees and flowers in the park. You can also stop by the pond and test out your fishing skills, or make a visit to the cozy arts
inside
and crafts area where you can decorate shellfish and coral, and plant your own precious succulents—mini enough to take home with you! Prices are $34 for adults, $30 for children ages 15– 17, $19 for children ages 6–14, $14 for children ages 3–5 and FREE for children under 3. With so much to do, be sure to bring yen for additional spending. Lunch is not included in the tour price, but you may bring a picnic lunch or enjoy a buffet lunch at Restaurant Peace located on the Garden grounds. Tour goers should also bring swimsuits, towels and an extra change of clothes. For more information on this tour and others, visit mccsokinawa. com/tours.
Scuba Certifications | 1 & 3 Dive-In Movie Nights | 3 Ryukyu Mura Summer Festival | 5 Shisa Pizza at Taiyo | 7
ou’re living on a subtropical island where it should be a crime to not be exploring the gorgeous world beneath the surface of the sea. Not only will Okinawa's crystalclear waters captivate you, but you will truly appreciate the stunning underwater seascapes it has to offer. Here, there’s plenty of opportunities to dive into. The first step is simple— getting certified. Actually, the first step is to head to Tsunami Scuba, where you can earn numerous PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors) certifications via a wide variety of courses and dive services. Classes are held year-round at all locations. (cont. on page 3)
Learn to Swim Program | 9 MCCS Tours+ | 11 Semper Fit Events | 11
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livingatlarge Scuba Certifications
(cont. from page 1)
New divers, you have to start your adventure with an Open Water Diver course. In this class, you’ll learn about the essential skills, important safety practices, necessary equipment and its care. Next, you can sign up for an Advanced Open Water course or specialty classes such as Night Diver.
If you’d like to get more serious about diving and possibly make it a career (or you want to move up the ladder), there are professional classes available to earn the certifications you need. Tsunami Scuba also offers classes that teach you about what you may encounter underwater such as sea
creatures (covered in the AWARE Fish Identification course) and more. For class times, locations and other information, call your local Tsunami Scuba or visit mccsokinwa. com/tsunamiscuba.
To advertise in Okinawa Spotlight, call 645-2245, fax 645-0975 or email sales@okinawa.usmc-mccs.org. MCCS is not responsible for designing and editing outside ads.
events&happenings
galitskaya/bigstock.com, Kelpfish/bigstock.com
Dive-In Movie Nights
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tching for a movie night, but don’t want to spend the remainder of your summer wasting away on the couch? Well, ditch it and dive in! This summer, MCCS Aquatics is hosting a series of fun-filled Dive-In movie nights at four of our Aquatics Centers. Patrons are invited to chill on the deck or relax in the water, all while enjoying a poolside evening
flick. To sweeten the deal, snacks and drinks will also be provided FREE of charge! This is sure to be a fun time for the whole family. It all goes down on August 6 at the Foster Aquatics Center, August 8 (7:30–9 p.m.) at the McTureous Aquatics Center, July 19 and August 16 at the Plaza Housing Aquatics Center, and July
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26 and August 23 at the Kinser Aquatics Center. With the exception of McToureous, all movie nights run from 7 to 9 p.m. The best part? The movies are family friendly, FREE and open to all ranks and ages. For more information and movie selections, visit mccsokinawa.com/aquatics. This publication printed with
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japanese phrase
islandadventure
of the week
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Mushi atsui desu ne. It's humid and hot.
kolonko/bigstock.com, Sarah Head
For details about FREE Japanese language classes, please call Marine & Family Programs-Resources at 645-2104/2106.
Ryukyu Mura Summer Festival
ummer is a season of celebration on Okinawa with matsuri, or festivals, held throughout the island. Hundreds of thousands of people flock to festival venues every year clad in yukata (summer kimono) to party, play festival games and enjoy matsuri cuisine. There’s absolutely no question, Uchinânchu, or the people of Okinawa, love their festivals— so much so that they are known throughout Japan as matsurizoku or “festival people.” And, as a resident of Okinawa (temporary or otherwise) you’re considered an honorary Uchinânchu, so it’s time to get into the matsurizoku spirit! Join Tours+ as they head to the Summer Evening Festival at Ryukyu Mura Saturday, July 28 from 4 to 9:30 p.m. This festival will be held at one of the most unique venues on the island; Ryukyu Mura consists of
houses and buildings up to 200 years old moved from various villages in the prefecture and painstakingly restored. The village captures the essence of a past era on the island where visitors can also observe reenactments of traditional methods including the creation of sugar from sugarcane and participate in workshops teaching how to create traditional Okinawan arts and crafts, such as bingata (textiles) and pottery. The Summer Evening Festival at Ryukyu Mura will be a unique
experience with tons of activities such as eisa dancing, game booths, constellation observation and firefly watching. On top of that, the festival venue also offers loads of unique photo opportunities! The tour price is $54 for adults, $41 for children 6–15, $24 for children 3–5 and FREE for children under 3, and includes matsuri food and drink. For more information on this tour and others, visit mccsokinawa.com/tours.
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pickoftheweek
didyou know?
Shisa Pizza at Taiyo
N TAIYO SHISA PIZZA Open Daily 7 a.m.–8 p.m. Breakfast Menu 7–10:30 a.m. Pizza Menu 10:30 a.m.–8 p.m.
ow, golfers and pizza-lovers alike can enjoy a hearty bite at Taiyo Golf Club with fresh-fromthe-oven lunch and breakfast, all thanks to Shisa Pizza. End your round (or day) with a slice of heaven or Buffalo chicken wings and other pizza favorites. Shisa’s breakfast menu includes grab-n-go options like Breakfast Calzones (filled with your choice of egg and cheese for $3 or bacon, egg and cheese for $3.50), the
Southwestern Burrito (stuffed with egg and cheese, bacon, bell peppers and onions for $6.75) and more. For lunch and beyond, Shisa Pizza Express features craft-your-own 12” and personal pan pizzas (including a 5-blend for $5 and a one topping for $5.75). Additional toppings such as pepperoni, sausage, Italian sausage, ham, bacon, chicken, meatballs, fresh tomatoes, black olives and more (even pineapple) are available for just $0.75 each. Specialty pizzas
such as the Garden Veggie ($11) and the Carnivore ($12) are also available. Buffalo wings come hot or mild (6 for $6, 12 for $11, 24 for $20 and 48 for $36) with dipping sauces available for $0.75 each. Taiyo G.C. Shisa Pizza is open daily. For more information, call 622-2022 (from an off-base or mobile phone, call 098-954-2022). You can also visit Shisa Pizza online at mccsokinawa.com/shisapizza.
soupstock/bigstock.com, Thomas Alan Smilie, Roderica Mathis
photooftheweek
Okinawa is blessed with stunning panoramic oceanscapes, perfect for watching the sunrise. This photo was taken off the eastern coast of Nago.
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indepth
didyou know?
kiankhoon/bigstock.com, Rawpixel.com/bigstock.com
More than half of all Americans either can’t swim or don’t have all of the basic swimming skills, according to the American Red Cross.
Learn to Swim
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wimming is a great (not to mention fun) way to exercise. It works practically every muscle in your body and keeps your heart, as well as your joints, happy and healthy. It’s also an important life skill that could save your life (or others) one day. If you don’t know how to swim or you’re tired of doing the doggie pad-
dle, MCCS Aquatics is ready to help with Learn to Swim, a program that’ll have you swimming with confidence in no time. There are two sessions left for this summer: July 16–25 and July 30–August 8. Register online for parent/child lessons ($50) or regular lessons ($75). There will also be walk-in signups available after online
registration closes. The registration fee includes eight weekday classes at the McTureous, Foster or Kinser Aquatics Centers. Sessions are tailored to a variety of skill levels and last approximately 30 minutes. For more information or to register, visit mccsokinawa.com/learntoswim.
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tours+
adventure begins here Battle Sites Tour July 14, 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Adults $28; Children (3–11) $18, (0–2) FREE Visit Hacksaw Ridge and the Battle of Okinawa Historical Society Museum on Camp Kinser. Afterwards, explore the Japanese Naval Underground Headquarters and end the day at Peace Memorial Park. Bring dollars for lunch and yen for admissions. Japanese Tea Ceremony & Kimono Dressing July 15, 9 a.m.–3 p.m. Adults $51; Children (3–11) $34 Take part in a traditional tea ceremony and dress in a traditional Japanese kimono. Afterwards, we will travel to Naha Main Place for lunch and shopping. Wear (or bring) white socks, a t-shirt and leggings (women) or white shorts (men). Bring extra yen for dinner and purchases. Children under the age of 3 are not allowed on tour.
Expo Park & Churaumi Aquarium July 22, 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Adults $39; Children (16–17) $34, (6–15) $21, (3–5) $16, (0–2) FREE Head to Expo Park, where you can visit Japan’s largest aquarium. Watch a FREE dolphin show, explore an Okinawan village and much more! Admission for both the park and aquarium are included in the tour price. Lunch is not included. Kerama Island Snorkeling & Diving Tour July 29, 7 a.m.–4 p.m. Diving: $88 (Ages 10+) Snorkeling: Adults $78; Children (4–11) $44 Join Tours+ as we take you on a boat ride to the Kerama Islands for snorkeling or diving. Bring lunch, drinks, a snorkeling set/diving gear and a wetsuit if desired. Divers must present diving certificate during sign-up (tour includes 2 tanks). Children under 4 and expectant mothers are not allowed on the tour.
*Bring yen for additional food, drinks and/or purchases. For more information, contact MCCS Tours+: Camp Foster 646-3502 | Camp Hansen 623-6344 | Camp Kinser 637-2744
upcoming semperfitevents
Roderica Mathis, AntonioDiaz/bigstock.com
Hansen Powerlifting Competition July 21, 10 a.m. The Palms, Camp Hansen Register by July 16 (1 p.m.) at any staffed MCCS athletic facility for $20. This event is open to all participants island-wide. Weigh-ins will take place from 8 to 9:15 a.m. followed by a mandatory competitor’s brief at 9:35 a.m. For more information, call 623-4831 or email adultsports@okinawa.usmc-mccs.org. Open Racquetball Tournament August 17–19, 9 a.m. Camp Kinser Fitness Center Register by August 13 (1 p.m.) at any MCCS athletic facility for $20. This event is open to all participants island-wide. Awards will be given to first, second and third place individuals. By-laws and the tournament bracket will be emailed on August 13. For more information, call 637-1869/3913 or email adultsports@okinawa.usmc-mccs.org.
Southern CC Cup Flag Football Tournament August 10, 6 p.m. August 11–12, 9 a.m. Camp Foster Field #6 Register by August 6 (1 p.m.) at any MCCS athletic facility for FREE. This event is open to all units aboard Camps Kinser, Foster and MCAS Futenma. A group trophy will be given to first and second place teams. By-laws and a tournament bracket will be emailed August 6. For more information, call 645-4866 or email adultsports@okinawa.usmc-mccs.org. Northern CC Flag Football Tournament August 17, 6 p.m. August 18–19, 9 a.m. Camp Hansen Parade Deck Field Register by August 13 (1 p.m.) at any MCCS athletic facility for FREE. This event is open to all units aboard Camps Courtney, Hansen and Schwab. A group trophy will be given to first and second place teams. By-laws and a tournament bracket will be emailed August 14. For more information, call 623-5558 or email adultsports@okinawa.usmc-mccs.org.
classof theweek
Muscle Madness This group resistance exercise class utilizes light-to-moderateweighted barbells and high repetitions to increase muscle endurance. For a full group fitness schedule, visit mccsokinawa.com/groupfitness.