MARINE CORPS AIR STATION YUMA, Ariz. -- In a non-descript building next to the station car wash sits a business that many Marines use and find extremely helpful.
Arizona Adventures is an outdoor recreational rental facility that rents out equipment to active duty military members and their families, said Tricia L. Nichols, Arizona Adventures manager.
“We rent all kinds of sports equipment to active duty military, dependents-- pretty much anybody with a valid military (identification),” said Nichols.
Arizona Adventures can outfit Marines and their families with supplies for any outdoor occasion, according to Nichols. They carry tents, coolers and small grills that are great for camping.
“Arizona Adventures has excellent gear at great prices and the location is excellent,” said Lt. Col. Rob Kuckuk, commanding officer of Marine Attack Squadron 311 and Arizona Adventures customer. “I mostly rent camping gear. It’s too great of a deal to pass up. Marines can get a tent and cooler and anything else we need for around ten dollars.”
“Arizona Adventures has absolutely everything you could use for camping or any outdoor recreation,” said Staff Sgt. Mickey D. Davis, Aircraft Rescue Fire Fighting section leader and
Arizona Adventures customer. “I use Arizona Adventures for camping and softball supplies.”
Arizona Adventures isn’t just for the outdoorsy types, said Nichols.
“We have rental equipment for all activities, not just camping,” said Nichols. “We can supply you for any type of outdoor activity.”
Arizona Adventures offers rentals on metal-folding chairs, folding tables, and other accessories for parties or other large events.
“One of our most commonly used items are the folding tables and chairs,” said Nichols. “Anytime service members on station have guests over for a party, or something similar where they will have a lot of people at their homes, they rent the supplies-- the tables, the chairs, the coolers, pretty much anything they need-- from us.”
“I’ve been using (Arizona Adventures) for about three years,” said Kuckuk, a native of Madison, Wis. “I use (Arizona Adventures) about once a month.”
“I think Arizona Adventures is a great asset on this base,” said Davis, a native of Alexander, La. “When I first arrived here, Arizona Adventures was run by older men, and none of them seemed to really care about the condition (of) the gear they were renting. Now that Tricia has taken over, she has been doing everything in her power to get new and better equipment. The best part about having Tricia over there is she actually uses most of the equipment in that building, and she (tests) all of the gear prior to renting it out.”
Arizona Adventures also rents out sporting equipment to all service members, most of which is free.
“I rent all my softball equipment from Tricia,” said Davis. “Most of the team sports played on station get their equipment from Tricia.”
Arizona Adventures hosts a variety of trips as well, said Davis.
“Tricia offers trips that are similar to the ones (the Single Marine Program) hosts, except Tricia’s trips are more adventure related,” said Davis. “Tricia takes Marines camping or mountain biking, but the best part is if you don’t like mountain biking Tricia also has hiking while you’re out their. She tries to make the trip as enjoyable as possible for as many people as she can.”
Even with these great benefits and low prices, a lot of Marines still don’t use Arizona Adventures, said Davis.
“Arizona Adventures is a great example of the classic benefits that military members receive for their service to their country,” said Kuckuk. “It’s just a shame not many Marines use it.”