DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE-MORALE, WELFARE AND RECREATION

SUMMER READING PROGRAM

AVOIDING THE SUMMER SLIDE: National research finds that students who participate in library summer reading programs scored higher on reading achievement tests at the beginning of the next school year than those who did not participate.

Morale, Welfare and Recreation develops all kinds of enrichment programs to support force readiness and military community. One such program is the Department of Defense MWR Summer Reading Program.

The program's theme this year is "It's Showtime at Your Library." Department of Defense-MWR libraries will feature all types of performance, from movies and theater to puppetry, dance, poetry, videos and more. Reading promotes family time for all ages. That's why children, teens and adults can enroll in this year's summer reading program at ila.org/dodsumread .

ENCOURAGE SUMMER READING

The mission of the Department of Defense-MWR summer reading program, through a contract with the Illinois Library Association iREAD Reading Programs, is to provide the resources and experiences to bridge the summer gap, while inspiring literacy and life-long learning. The benefits of summer reading are clear:

• • National research finds that students who participate in the library summer reading programs scored higher on reading achievements tests at the beginning of the next school year than those who did not participate.
• • Avid readers of all backgrounds are higher achievers than students who seldom read. • Skillful, critical and prolific reading is one of the most important personal habits that leads to a successful academic career and happy, productive life.

Plus, reading is fun for the whole family. Reading can lead to priceless conversations, spur a child's imagination and inspire young readers to explore creativity and design new worlds. Sign up for the Summer Reading Program: contact your local Morale, Welfare and Recreation installation library at installations.militaryonesource.mil

EXPLORE YOUR INSTALLATION LIBRARY

The Department of Defense and MWR oversees the management of 207 libraries on military installation ( militaryonesource.mil/recreation-travel-shopping/recreation/libraries/explore-the-library), which provide much more than aisles of books. Check your installation library to see what events are offered. These could include activities, graphics, crafts, reading lists, incentives, films, and more for children, teens and parents. Discover what's in your installation library.

TAP INTO THE MWR DIGITAL LIBRARY

If you're a member of the National Guard or reserve or don't have access to a local installation library, you can still participate in the Summer Reading Program virtually. Learn more at dodvirtualsrp.beanstack.org/reader365

The MWR Digital Library ( militaryonesource.mil/recreation-travel- shopping/recreation/libraries/morale-welfare-and-recreation-digital-library) can help you support your summer reading goals, giving service members and families access to eBooks, audio books, digital magazines, genealogy resources, digital newspapers, journals, tutoring services and more. The digital library service is a particularly helpful benefit for those military families who may not have access to installation libraries. The digital library service is available through your service branch:

• • Army digital library mwrlibrary.armybiznet.com
• • Marine Corps digital library mccs.ent.sirsi.net/client/en_US/default
• • Navy digital library. navymwrdigitallibrary.org
• • Air Force digital library airforce.libraryreserve.com

IT'S SHOWTIME : SUMMER READING 2019 AT DOD-MWR LIBRARIES

• Visit the following links to learn more about the MWR Digital Library and other library and reading resources:
• DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE: MWR SUMMER READING PROGRAM ila.org/dodsumread
• MORALE, WELFARE AND RECREATION DIGITAL LIBRARY militaryonesource.mil/recreation-travel-shopping/recreation/libraries/morale-welfare-and-recreation-digital-library
• DOD MWR LIBRARY RESOURCES militaryonesourceconnect.org/achievesolutions/en/militaryonesource/Content.do?contentId=27777
• FROM AUDIOBOOKS TO ACADEMIC RESEARCH, THE DIGITAL LIBRARY HAS IT militaryonesource.mil/recreation-travel-shopping/recreation/libraries/from-audiobooks-to-academic-research-the-digital-library-has-it
• EXPLORE THE LIBRARY militaryonesource.mil/recreation-travel-shopping/recreation/libraries/explore-the-library
• LIBRARIES — THE ESSENTIALS militaryonesource.mil/recreation-travel-shopping/recreation/libraries/libraries-the-essentials

MORALE, WELFARE AND RECREATION: YOUR SOURCE FOR AFFORDABLE FUN

Military life has many demands, so Morale, Welfare and Recreation staff want to help you make the most of your free time. MWR is the military's network of support and leisure programs for service members. On base or off, Morale, Welfare and Recreation ( installations.militaryonesource.mil) provides lots of ways for you to connect with friends and others for entertainment, rest and relaxation — all at reduced or no cost.

R&R ON THE INSTALLATION

• At military installations around the world, you'll find a lot to do and enjoy, including:
• • SWIMMING POOLS: Cool off and relax with recreational swimming. Sign up for swimming lessons, or join an aquatic fitness class for aerobic, low-impact workouts.
• • BOWLING FACILITIES: Get a few friends together for a few games or buddy-up by joining a league.
• • GOLF COURSES: From nine holes to full-scale, PGA-quality links, installation golf courses offer fun and fitness at affordable prices. Some locations also offer driving ranges, putting greens and lessons.
• • RECREATION CENTERS: Many centers help you connect with family and friends with free Wi-Fi and computer use. Or unwind with billiards, air hockey, foosball, table tennis, Xbox, PlayStations and board games. You'll also find a large library of movies and big-screen TVs to watch them on.
• • TRAILS: Morale, Welfare and Recreation staff can recommend great local trails where you can hike, bike or take a relaxing walk in nature.
• • AUTO SKILLS CENTERS: Most installations have Automotive Skills Centers where you can maintain or repair your vehicle. For a minimal fee, you can use work bays, vehicle lifts, and a broad selection of tools, and get advice from certified mechanics.
• • LIBRARIES: Check out a bestseller, read a magazine article or study for an upcoming test with library resources. Visit your installation library or log on to your Military OneSource account to access the MWR Digital Library from anywhere in the world.
• • MOVIE THEATERS: See the latest movies at prices lower than those at the commercial chains. Now showing: all your favorite genres and some in 3D. • OUTDOOR AND RECREATION RENTAL CENTERS: Need outdoor gear for a few hours or a few days? Rental centers offer campers, canoes and kayaks, canopy tents, tables and chairs, grills, garden equipment and much more.
• See what Morale, Welfare and Recreation offers at your own installation at installations.militaryonesource.mil

R&R OFF THE INSTALLATION

Off-base adventures start with your installation's Information, Tickets and Travel office ( militaryonesource.mil/recre- ation-travel-shopping/recreation/tickets-tours/information-tickets-and-travel-your-keyto-fun) and the outdoor recreation office. They'll give you the scoop on sporting events, museums, theme parks, aquariums, zoos, historical sites and other attractions, both near and far. They're also good for discount tickets and vacation planning services.

CHECK OUT THESE GREAT OFF-BASE OPPORTUNITIES :

• • LODGING at recreational facilities, hotels and resorts around the world. Enjoy a cottage on the beach, a mountaintop retreat or a five-star resort with all the luxuries, both stateside and overseas. mil- itaryonesource.mil/recreation-travel-shopping/travel/recre- ational-lodging/vacation-with-military-lodging
• • AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL PASSES give you access to more than 84 million acres of national parks where you can hike, climb, ski, surf, stargaze or just relax. nps.gov/plany- ourvisit/passes.htm
• • BLUE STAR MUSEUMS allow you to soak up history, science or culture between Memorial Day and Labor Day across the country – for free. militaryonesource.mil/recreation- travel-shopping/recreation/hobbies/blue-star-museums Remember, each service branch has its own Morale, Welfare and Recreation program. See what's in store for you:
• • Army armymwr.com
• • Marine Corps. usmc-mccs.org/topics/fitness
• • Navy navymwr.org
• • Air Force. myairforcelife.com Morale, Welfare and Recreation is your destination for entertainment, rest and relaxation on or off the installation. Visit your local office for more information or call Military OneSource at 800-342-9647.

VACATION DISCOUNTS FOR MILITARY FAMILIES WITH AMERICAN FORCES TRAVEL

There's a new online leisure travel booking website created for members of the U.S. military community: American Forces Travel. American Forces Travel ( americanforcestravel.com) is designed to be a one-stop travel booking site. A joint service initiative, it offers military discounts and helps fund other current and future MWR programs.

FIND DISCOUNTS WITH AMERICAN FORCES TRAVEL

• American Forces Travel lets service members and their families book their leisure travel and vacations completely online, and at a discount, through its service provider, Priceline Group, Inc. Potential bookings include:
• • Flights inside and outside the U.S.
• • Hotels all around the world
• • Rental cars
• • Cruises and vacation packages Military travelers using American Forces Travel are experiencing significant savings. By booking through American Forces Travel, users get up to:
• • 60% off hotel rooms
• • 80% savings on cruise packages
• • $10-18 per-day discounts on car rentals
• In general, military community members booking through American Forces Travel enjoy lower booking fees, have a best price guarantee and get deals on prepaid car rental rates. Priceline will not charge for bookings or cancelations. While Priceline is waiving all Priceline fees, suppliers may have their own fees, terms and conditions.

SUPPORTING MWR PROGRAMS

Beyond offering travel discounts, American Forces Travel can help members of the military community find many relaxing, fun ways to recharge and stay mission ready. That's because anything booked through American Forces Travel earns a commission that goes directly to MWR programs around the world, at no cost to you. That money helps pay for services you already use, like outdoor recreation, pools, parks and workshops on your installation. militaryonesource.mil/recreation-travel-shopping/recreation/single-life/morale-wel- fare-and-recreation-your-source-for-affordable-fun

AMERICAN FORCES TRAVEL ELIGIBILITY

• Anyone ( militaryonesource.mil/recreation-travel-shopping/recreation/fun- and-fitness/morale-welfare-and-recreation-programs-and-eligibility) who can use MWR programs and services can use American Forces Travel:
• • All active-duty service members from every service branch
• • All National Guard and Reserve Component members
• • All retired military including those in the National Guard and reserves who are retirement eligible
• • All Medal of Honor recipients and 100% disabled veterans
• • All Department of Defense civilians serving outside the United States, including appropriated fund and nonappropriated fund employees (Department of Defense civilians serving inside the United States should have access by the end of the calendar year)
• • American Red Cross and United Service Organizations-paid personnel currently serving outside the United States
• • All eligible family members who have Department of Defense identification cards ( militaryonesource.mil/military-life-cycle/new-to- the-military/getting-connected/department-ofdefense-identification-cards)
• To verify eligibility, the website will check the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System ( tricare.mil/DEERS). Once you are approved, you can book your next vacation to anywhere in the world, while supporting the MWR programs on your installation. Consider American Forces Travel when arranging your leisure travel.
• American Forces Travel is the only official MWR leisure travel site and it is supported under contract by Priceline.com.

– Military One Source

A ONE-STOP TRAVEL BOOKING SITE : AMERICAN FORCES TRAVEL 

American Forces Travel is a new Morale, Welfare and Recreation program arising out of a joint service initiative combining the efforts of each of the five branches of service and the Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Military Community & Family Policy. Because the Internet is now the most popular way to research and book travel, the branches of Service chose to evolve their travel offering. Travel is transforming the way MWR provides online leisure services to Service members and families, empowering them to revitalize, reconnect, be well, and most importantly, be mission-ready. In addition to dramatically enhancing quality of life for the military community, American Forces Travel will inject critical revenue into MWR programs by providing commissions from every booking made.