ANSBACH, Germany (March 28, 2013) -- Within the German communities of Franconia, seeing a tree in a yard decked out in eggs is a fairly common sight. It is a sign that the Christian religious holiday Easter has arrived. Eggs don't typically grow on trees in the United States this time of the year, but there are many other analogous traditions shared by German and American culture.
One of those is the Easter egg hunt. Easter can be a time for families to spend with each other, but with many American nuclear families stationed in Germany away from their extended families, the Franconia Military Community's different garrisons sought to give their families a sense of home and community by coordinating this longstanding Easter tradition.
"Especially around holidays, this is the time when you want to get people together because most of us are not with our extended families," said Darlene Hines, the special events coordinator with Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation. "This is a great opportunity to spend time with your other family, your Army family."
The USAG Ansbach's Easter egg hunt takes place at Duggan Gym at Barton Barracks from 10 a.m. to noon March 30. The event, originally planned to take place at Urlas Housing, had a change of venue due to a forecast of inclement weather.
"There's still snow on the ground with more snow expected and rain and snow on Saturday," said Hines on why the egg hunt changed locations.
Besides poor weather making Urlas Housing a less feasible option for the location of the event, Duggan Gym, according to Hines, has many attributes that make it an ideal location.
"Duggan Gym is a great location because there's plenty of parking here," said Hines. "It's an easily accessible facility. If, by chance, the weather does end up being nice, then we have the option of putting the event outside in the field behind [the gym]. The Eagle's Nest is a great location that we could utilize for food services as well."
As a venue for food, the Eagle's Nest, a small community-oriented building adjacent to Duggan Gym, will serve as the location for vending food.
As in other Easter egg hunts, children are separated by age. Children ages 3 years and younger hunt eggs at 10:15 a.m.; children ages 4 to 6 years old hunt eggs at 10:45 a.m.; children ages 7 to 11 hunt eggs at 11:15 a.m.
The organizers want parents and guardians to bring their children well before the start times of the hunts to ensure their children have a chance to get eggs.
Before and after the hunts, there will be several other activities to entertain the children and their families, including an Easter tattoo station, an coloring station, refreshments and photos with the Easter Bunny. There is also a plan to hold games such as a sack race and egg race.
Garrison ID card holders are welcome to bring their families. To learn more, call 09811-83-7227 or DSN 468-7227.
Child Youth and School Services, Army and Air Force Exchange Service and Better Opportunities for Single Soldiers host the USAG Bamberg Easter egg hunt March 30 at 11 a.m. at Friendship Park. In addition to the hunt, children can take pictures with the Easter bunny and play in the bouncy houses, and families can enjoy the barbecue and more.
Bamberg is still looking for more volunteers to help hide eggs, cook, supervise games and assist with clean-up. To learn more, visit the Bamberg BOSS Facebook page at www.facebook.com/#!/Bamberg.BOSS.
USAG Schweinfurt holds their Easter egg hunt at Conn Club Event Field at Conn Barracks from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. March 31. The hunt will be split into four age categories: children 3 years and younger, children 4 to 6 years old, children 7 to 9 years old, and children 10 to 12 years old. The Easter Bunny will pose for photos with children and families. To learn more, call Schweinfurt FMWR at 09721-96-8398 or DSN 353-8398.
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