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10-28-2009, 08:49 AM
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Junior Member
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Join Date: Oct 2009
8 posts, read 2,302 times
Reputation: 10
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Moving to Ellsworth AFB
Hello All!
Just found out my husband has received orders to Ellsworth AFB...we (my husband and I and four kids -11, 9, 8 & 6) will be heading there in June. I would love any information on the local area...is there a lot for kids to do? Are there a lot of family activities? What is the city name where the base is located? I have had a hard time finding a lot of information on the local area.
Is anyone familiar with the base?
We are leaving NC, so this is a big change for all of us, but we are excited for the new experiences!
Thanks in advance for your help!
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10-28-2009, 08:59 AM
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Apr 2009
381 posts, read 142,002 times
Reputation: 337
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Brechan
Hello All!
Just found out my husband has received orders to Ellsworth AFB...we (my husband and I and four kids -11, 9, 8 & 6) will be heading there in June. I would love any information on the local area...is there a lot for kids to do? Are there a lot of family activities? What is the city name where the base is located? I have had a hard time finding a lot of information on the local area.
Is anyone familiar with the base?
We are leaving NC, so this is a big change for all of us, but we are excited for the new experiences!
Thanks in advance for your help!
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I'll give you the google search info. on your questions.
The base town is called Box Elder with the town of New Underwood nearby. The school the base children attend is Douglas. It's a fairly good sized school by South Dakota standards, but unfortunately for them they are the smallest school playing sports in the largest school bracket.
Only a few miles away is Rapid City, the second largest city in South Dakota. Don't be concerned. I believe the population is only about 70,000.
The best part of being stationed in Ellsworth AFB is you are now right beside the Black Hills. One of the most picturesque areas in the country. You will drive less to see and do more in the Black Hills than anywhere I've ever visited. Also, being from NC, you will enjoy seeing country unlike what you've seen before as you are also on the edge of the plains as well as the badlands. This is cowboy country. Get to know some ranchers. Ride some horses. Take in a rodeo.
You will enjoy your stay here with that assignment. For you and especially your kids, this will be a lot like going on vacation.
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10-28-2009, 08:59 AM
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Mar 2009
289 posts, read 104,907 times
Reputation: 273
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The town right there is Box Elder. Pretty small town, but Rapid is only a few minutes away, so there is plenty to do out there. My brother was stationed there, and he'd love to be stationed there still, but his planes moved.
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10-28-2009, 09:24 AM
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Wyoming
2,039 posts, read 785,009 times
Reputation: 1699
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You lucked out with one of the Air Force's best base locations -- at least if you enjoy 4 seasons. Rapid City is at the edge of the Black Hills, a prime family vacation area. June is a great time to arrive. Summers are warm but comfortable.
You shouldn't have a problem finding information on the area with Google. Just enter "black hills", "mount rushmore", "custer state park", "rapid city", "deadwood, sd", "sturgis", "custer, sd", and "spearfish, sd". That should give you a good start and enough links to keep you busy all day.
Congratulations on a great assignment!
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10-28-2009, 10:56 AM
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Junior Member
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Join Date: Oct 2009
8 posts, read 2,302 times
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Thank you all for the great information! I was a little worried...you tell people you're going to SD and automatically they say, "Oh!" or "I'm sorry" but I think it's going to be a great experience for our family. I'm looking forward to it! We've been near the beach and we're excited to move to the mountains!
Do you know if kid's sports are popular in the area? Our son has been playing Pop Warner Football, our girls cheerlead, love soccer and softball.
Thank you all again!
Also, does anyone know about working in the school system? I am currently working on my Masters in Teaching, Elementary Education...I have never taught before but have a Masters in Human Resources and where we live there is a program that helps you transition into a teaching career...does one exist in this area?
THANK YOU!
Last edited by Jammie; 10-28-2009 at 12:02 PM..
Reason: merged
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10-28-2009, 11:11 AM
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Proud cancer survivor
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Join Date: Sep 2008
2,217 posts, read 812,784 times
Reputation: 1242
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Brechan
Thank you all for the great information! I was a little worried...you tell people you're going to SD and automatically they say, "Oh!" or "I'm sorry" but I think it's going to be a great experience for our family. I'm looking forward to it! We've been near the beach and we're excited to move to the mountains!
Do you know if kid's sports are popular in the area? Our son has been playing Pop Warner Football, our girls cheerlead, love soccer and softball.
Thank you all again!
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Yes sports are part of life here. There are soccer leagues and opportunities for football, and softball.
Rapid City and the hills are an excellent place to live.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Brechan
Also, does anyone know about working in the school system? I am currently working on my Masters in Teaching, Elementary Education...I have never taught before but have a Masters in Human Resources and where we live there is a program that helps you transition into a teaching career...does one exist in this area?
THANK YOU!
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There is the Rapid City School District and the Douglas School District. The Douglas School district services Box Elder EAFB area
dsdk12.net
And Rapid City School district:
http://public.rcas.org/Pages/Default.aspx there is an area for employment opportunities.
The pay for teachers is low, but cost of living is lower than other areas too.
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10-28-2009, 11:17 AM
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Junior Member
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Join Date: Oct 2009
8 posts, read 2,302 times
Reputation: 10
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Thank you rjl78! I have so much to look up! 
By chance does anyone live on base? Know the sizes of base housing? Do you like/dislike the base housing?
Thanks! Sorry for ALL the questions! But I SO appreciate the help! |
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10-28-2009, 11:22 AM
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Mar 2009
289 posts, read 104,907 times
Reputation: 273
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My brother lived on base, but was in the dorms, so sorry, can't help there.
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10-28-2009, 11:26 AM
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Proud cancer survivor
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Join Date: Sep 2008
2,217 posts, read 812,784 times
Reputation: 1242
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Brechan
Thank you rjl78! I have so much to look up!
By chance does anyone live on base? Know the sizes of base housing? Do you like/dislike the base housing?
Thanks! Sorry for ALL the questions! But I SO appreciate the help! |
I haven't been in any base housing for about 11 years. I think they come with a basement and 3 or 4 bedrooms. I think they run about 1200 square feet. But I am doing all this from memory... |
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10-28-2009, 12:03 PM
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Moderator
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Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: So. Dak.
13,092 posts, read 9,003,440 times
Reputation: 13088
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Hi Brechan, the area you're coming to is somewhat similar to western NC. If you're prepared for the winters, you'll love it here. Welcome!!! 
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