Dear Joe,

My wife and I have enjoyed our summer, but we’re hoping to plan one last summer vacation with our entire family before our grandchildren return to school. Are there any resources we can use that offer fiscally friendly accommodations? We know Labor Day is a busy time for travel and can be expensive, and we’d like to have the whole family together.

Any advice?

Thanks,

One last summer hurrah

Dear Hurrah,

I completely understand wanting to have a last summer vacation and that hotels can get pricey around that time!

I would recommend checking out the accommodations through the Morale, Welfare, and Recreation (MWR) center. Through the MWR, you can see which resorts, hotels, and other accommodations are available to you at a special rate.

You can also utilize American Forces Travel, through MWR, to book travel, accommodations, and more. American Forces Travel is a new MWR program that is a joint service initiative, providing online leisure travel services—give it a try!

Hope this helps,

Joe

Dear Joe,

I retired just as summer began, and my daughter was involved with a club through the School Age Center during the school year. She is hoping that with schools starting up again soon she can return to the club, but I’m not sure if that’s possible since I’m now retired. Is it? Or will we need to find another club outside the Army for her?

Please help,

Heading back to after school programs

Dear School programs,

Yes, she is still eligible! Even though you are a Retired Soldier now, she is still able to take part in the School Age Center (SAC) programs, but it will be on a space-available basis. For more questions, be sure to visit the My Army Benefits fact sheet on the SAC. A reminder that SAC programs are typically ages 6-12, so if she wishes to continue into her teenage years, I recommend checking out the Youth Services programs offered through the Army Morale, Welfare, and Recreation (MWR) centers.

Hope this helps!

Joe