JOINT BASE CHARLESTON, S.C. -- As the morning sun rises, the dew covering the grass begins to evaporate and the barking of the neighborhood dogs begins to fill the silence. A crisp breeze carries a bird's song through the tree branches and the sounds of tires rolling over the payment along with a cadence of footsteps are smothered by joyful laughter of children and boisterous voices of women as they power walk through the base neighborhood, propelling strollers to burn calories and stay fit. Welcome to the Stroller Roller program offered by Joint Base Charleston - Weapon Station's Morale, Welfare and Recreation office.

"Stroller roller is a free program which supports active duty family members," said Nancy Haynsworth, fitness and aquatics coordinator for JC CHS - WS MWR office. "Moms, along with their toddlers and preschoolers, meet for one hour of walking, strength and balance training. The program is offered six times weekly and provides the opportunity for moms who otherwise wouldn't be able to attend exercise programs due to childcare expenses to exercise, bond with their children and meet other military spouses."

"The stroller roller program is the only exercise program available through MWR for parents where child care is not an issue," said Brittany Casey, the stroller roller instructor. "Moms are with their children the entire time and the kids seem to really enjoy being able to go for a ride in a stroller."

Some of the benefits of the program are losing weight, promoting physical health and improving emotional well-being.

"There is a socializing aspect to the program because it gives mothers an opportunity to get out of the house and spend time with other military spouses and they can relate to each other's stressors," said Mrs. Casey. "The mothers come out and have fun talking and building relationships with each other and that allows them to have a strong understanding friend to confide in."

Exercising in a small group offers emotional benefits such as companionship, motivation and friendship. When Children are brought along for the ride many of the same benefits can be developed. Children are stimulated from the ride though the neighborhood with all the different sights and sounds they experience as they explore the world around them.

"It is nice for mothers to be able to exercise with the kids while spending quality time with other mothers," said Lisa Talbot, a Stroller Roller participant and mother of two with another on the way. "The kids also get to have a play date during mom's workout in which they get to interact with other kids which typically would not get if we just stayed home."