European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - December 24, 1990, Darmstadt, Hesse Page 10 w. Mull Iff a a my the stars and stripes monday december 24, 1990�?� traveler disappointed by Camp Darby Camp Darby is highly overrated. The Beach closes at 7 . Whoever heard of closing a Beach the shop Petty closes at 7 . If a shop Pette is for convenience Why does it close Only one hour after the commissary people who travel from Germany to get to Camp Darby would find it quite difficult to arrive in time to use any of its facilities. The commissary closes at 6 ., the Exchange and shop Pette close at 7 ., Anu the Burger bar closes at 5 . Travellers May not want to Cook out after driving All Day to arrive at Camp Darby however they May not have a Choice when faced with the limited facilities at Camp Darby. Gas coupons arc also very hard to conic by we were allotted 200 liners in Gas coupons with this Small amount travelling was very expensive because we bad to Purchase Gas with the local currency. Camp Darby was not what was advertised. Camp Darby was a Grassy a level Field at the end of the Post. By morning my son was at the door of the tent because of the incline on the campsite we were assigned. The sea Pines Lodge was also quite a disappointment. It was extremely overpriced for what was offered. It also did not have what it advertised. For example it offered a Frozen dessert. When i went in to Purchase it the dessert was not available and no one knew when it would he available. In spite of this signs were still up advertising this product my family and i were very disappointed in Camp Darby and we Felt that it put a Damper on what could have been one of our More enjoyable leave times. Needless to say we wont be returning to Camp Darby and advise our friends to do the same. We will spend our. Italian vacations in an italian Campground next time. A Tommy k. Duppstadt Span Dahlem a Germany editors note a col. Bud Drosc commander 8th area support group Camp Darby Italy replies in a sorry this traveler had some bad experiences while visiting our facilities. Thanks for bringing these problems to our attention so we can continue to improve our scr a ices. A a a a a a a. A Quot first of All Camp Darby is not an arc facility such As Garmisch and . The Mission or the 8th area support group is to serve As the logistical base for the Southern european task Force and to support . Military operations in the Mediterranean and the middie East. We also offer camping and tourist lodging facilities As part of the morale welfare and recreation program and we Welcome visitors year round our prime location in the famous province of Tuscany a just six Miles from the leaning Tower of Pisa an hours drive from Florence minutes from the italian riveria and three hours from Rome a makes us a or Quot Blell Fol ��?~1&Quot a Ltd a a a a ,. A mh.#. A. A amp sine military families take advantage of the Beach at Camp Darby Italy located near Pisa on the Mediterranean. Natural for people who want Art affordable vacation. Tourist accommodations on the italian Economy Are Vicy expensive. A typical italian Beach costs about $20 a Day for an umbrella and two chairs our american Beach charges $3.50. The front part of the Beach is open at All times however there arc no provisions for lifeguards parking or snack bar attendants after 7 . Due to costs. A camping space with electrical and water hookups will Cost As much As $30 per Day for a family of four while our Campground charges $10. Our sea Pines Lodge costs $24 per Day comparable italian hotels charge at least $80 per person. Camp Darby is a Small installation and therefore does not have the expansive customer service facilities found at Large communities in Germany. Our cafes and commissary facilities have grown considerably in the last year however like any Small town our stores can to afford to stay open until the wee hours. We have expanded the Post Exchange and commissary hours to 8 . On thursday evenings. Sea Pines Camp and Lodge is open 24 hours a Day for our visitors convenience. The Community club is open until Midnight with either full dinner or snacks. Our snack bar with pizza and submarine sandwiches is open until 11 . Nightly to serve the weary traveler better. Next season we plan to open a club Annex in the Campground which will serve until 10 ., including breakfast and take out meals. 1 regretfully the sea Pines let Cream machine has been waiting for parts for a Long title wholeheartedly agree that the advertising sign for that product should have been removed. Fuel coupons Are strictly controlled by the nato sofa agreement and to do other than the current program requires renegotiation the writer s comments and concerns Are appreciated. We Are always looking for ways to make Camp Darby a More enjoyable and affordable vacation facility As Well As being one Kofusa Reury a major logistical installations. We like being a Friendly american Home base front which to explore the delights of Italy. Please try us again we re always getting better. We Are working with Usa eur to greatly expand our Lodge and campgrounds adding bungalows trailers More showers a mini Golf course and a dormitory for youth groups or units. We will open a swimming Pool this summer. Thanks for recommendations and concerns we Are always trying to make things better and continue to be the a most improved Community in the army. A Parent i live in the Giessen sub Community and have two children Ages 3 and 2. They both have attended child devel on rent centers cd in this Community since april 1989. A i have always had two questions 1 Why do vye pay so much More than the surrounding communities 2 we be charged and treated the same As we would be if we were on a military installation in the states after ail there is one regulation that governs child development service1 pay $200 a month for each child. Effective oct. 1, my rates increased to $206. This is too much just pick up your phone and Call any Day care Center in the Frankfurt Hanau or Wiesbaden communities. They quote prices freely Over the phone. Also Why do i have to pay for Day care on National and Federal holidays and this year a Giessen cd i service Day it was Only a Hall Day but i worked and had to make arrangements to take my children elsewhere for the whole Day at fort Stewart Gay a i never paid for a National or Federal Holiday the Center was never closed on a soldiers workday such As monday through Friday. In a paying More than my old Barracks Roommate is paying in Frankfurt for her two children who Are the same age As mine and More than my Best Friend pays for her two children in Hanau just because we Are geographically located overseas does t mean that its not the same army the rooms Are overcrowded daily by drop ins and hourly care children. Effective oct. L the preschool rooms were to be reduced from 30 to 20-24 children. I must say that i done to think i can stomach a no answer to my questions from our cd coordinator. Also is there a regulation that says she can charge my Community rates the others Arentt paying. And please done to say if you done to like it take your care children someplace else would if i could the family counselling Center is just not the answer when we like a lot of soldiers and families live on the Economy. The interaction that my children get with other children is very important to them. A Theresa r. Hardy Giessen Germany editors note Bonnie storm he Usa eur child development services cd program manager replies \ a v a. You be asked Many questions about cd policies id like to address the eight general topics that pertain to Usa eur cd programs. Our responses Corres Moo the topics cited by the writer. A a a comparison of Usa eur child development centers cd rates Between communities. In october 1990, Usa eur communities implemented the new department of defense Dod fee ranges which resulted from congressional directives in the military child care act of november 1989. The resulting fee policy mandates four ranges of rates based on service families total income. Your Community is charging you a rate in the Middle of the scale for your family income. Communities in your. Usa eur major command Are charging rates Between $200 and $225 per month in your income category the average is $213.80, since you pay $206, your Cost is below the average b comparison of Usa eur cd rates with stateside rates. Communities and installations around the world Are implementing these fees there will be Little difference Between Usa eur rates and stateside rates. C payment during Federal and local holidays Fay me lit during Federal holidays is based on two factors a cd staff is paid during Federal holidays As Are soldiers and Many categories of civilians. A full Day rates represent a substantial discount from hourly rates in order to cover holidays. In your Community the hourly rate is $1.40, if you were charged at the hourly rate 10 hours a Day 21 Days a month your Bill for two children would be $588 a month $412 represents a substantial savings of $176 or 30 percent d comparison among cd patrons using the new cd fee policy you May pay More than your old Barracks Roommate for the same child care because she has a lower family income. Both you and your Friend pay less than half the actual Cost of care rates in civilian centers stateside average $450 a month. E overcrowding of rooms. If your child a room seems overcrowded please Check with your cd director about the maximum a Ftp size for these children f reduction of child spaces the number of children in each room is determined by the Dod maximum group site which changed on oct. 1. The old group Eizo for preschoolers was 30 it is How 24, the department of defense made this policy for All cacs Quality care can to be provided for Young children when there Are too Many children in a group g policy makers is. Parents with cd children the military child Caro act requires that each cd have a Parent advisory Board composed primarily of parents who make recommendations on cd policy you May want to be a Board member so that your concerns Are addressed a h sibling discounts if your Community commander provides a lower rate for the second child in the same family he does so to help families with two or Smy of children. This is a Community option thank you for the Opportunity to answer your questions about cd fees hopefully this will Clear up your questions other a questions can be answered by the Usa eur cd staff at ets 370-6686,
