Written by: Jeff Banowetz
Posted: Thursday, 27 March 2008
It’s April in Michigan and
guess what…it’s still cold outside. If you’re looking for ways to
escape nothing beats a vacation. But this year put a purpose behind your
trip—go on a volunteer vacation. It’s a great way to get away and do some good.
“The draw is really to spend time in the
outdoors, have the opportunity to give back and meet like-minded people from
across the country,” says Andrea Ketchmark, the volunteer programs manager of
the American Hiking Society. “Many people volunteer in their own backyards. Our
volunteer vacations program gives the chance to travel, explore new places and
really see trails in a different light.”
The American Hiking Society
gives people the chance to protect, preserve and participate. Not only will you
hike some of the most beautiful trails all across the U.S., you will also
construct or rebuild footpaths, cabins and shelters, and repair bridges. With
more than 70 projects in 25 states, the American Hiking Society has many
opportunities for you to vacation with a purpose, meet new people and
experience the beauty of the backcountry.
“At first it seemed like
a great idea; a cheap vacation in the woods hiking and doing outdoor stuff with
like-minded people,” says Doug Burke of Oak Park. “That was in 2001. Now I’ve
done eight trips and the ninth is coming up in May.”
Doug Burke has traveled
to North Carolina, Tennessee, Kentucky, New York, Arizona, Pennsylvania and
Virginia with the American Hiking Society. Along with a relatively inexpensive
vacation, Burke got to meet people who loved to hike just as much as he did. He
learned new physical skills and helped improve the trails he loved to travel
upon. According to Burke the trips are some of the most rewarding things he has
done, and he simply cannot get enough.
“Before I retired I went
on a trip every year,” says Burke. “Now I firmly intend to go on at least two
every year. It’s tremendously interesting to meet people you don’t know, people
the like of whom I would not have met any other way.”
If you want to trade in
your pair of shoes for a pair of tires, check out Common Circle
Expeditions. Here vacations are centered on biking and sustainability. A third
of your time will be spent biking; the other time will be spent at host
sites helping with service projects and, like all good vacations, relaxing.
“The volunteering is
very dynamic, we go to the farm community and ask what needs to be done now…and
we get it done,” says Ashleigh Sewell, the operations manager of Common Circle.
“I think that doing a volunteer vacation is more inspiring than playing on the
beach. You get to have more intimate relationships; you’re not just a visitor,
your part of the community.”
Common Circle Expedition’s
tours are designed for riders of all abilities. The tours tend to have some
focus on sustainable economics with the service projects varying depending on
what needs to be done. Currently there are tours scheduled for Hawaii and the
Oregon Coast.
For a more worldly
experience, check out Biosphere Expeditions. Travel the world and get hands-on
with the wildlife in the area.
“This is a real growing
trend with people who no longer feel satisfied with passive tourism,” says Erin
McCloskey, the operations manager for North America for Biosphere Expeditions.
“It’s for people who want to learn something, share their talents, meet
likeminded people, do something for wildlife conservation in the field, work
with people from the local communities and give something back.”
Biosphere Expeditions
offers anywhere from a weekend trip to several monthlong tours in
various locations like Brazil, Peru, Honduras and Spain.
McCloskey was quick to
warn that this is more than just a vacation, it’s a conservation expedition and
participants need to be dedicated. At the end of the day you can sit back and
relax, but during the day you will be working with wildlife such as whales,
dolphins and even lions. Travel to these animals’ habitats to observe, survey,
photograph and preserve these magnificent creatures all while on vacation.
“Our hope is that this
style of ‘voluntourism’ becomes more and more popular,” McCloskey says. “It is
really an incredibly rewarding experience and changes many people's concept of
travel.”
For more information,
visit www.americanhiking.org, www.commoncircle.com or www.biosphere-expeditions.org.
The road race season in Michigan kicked off in April with Spring Training Series Races in Ann Arbor and Waterford and the Ciociaro Can Am Challenge Series in Windsor. Now that roadies are all warmed up, it's time to stretch their legs in some good old-fashioned road and criterium racing. In the coming weeks road cyclists can look forward to the Grattan Race Series kick-off, the Cone Azalia Classic road race, the Tour of Kensington Valley, the Priority Health Tour De Leelanau, the Tour De Gaslight Criterium and in June, a race that is quickly becoming a favorite among all racers, citizen and professional alike - The Superior Bike Fest in Marquette.
I just received a grim e-mail to end an otherwise unremarkable day. The subject line read "Ryan Shay Autopsy Released." 
