Going On Faith Winter 2019-2020

ON T H E M A G A Z I N E F O R FAITH-BASED TRAVEL PLANNERS VOL. 22 - NO. 5

WINTER 2019

RAILROAD ADVENTURES AUTHENTIC A L A BA M A AGRITOURISM EXPERIENCES

W I C H I TA

KANSAS

WILL HOST 2020 GOING ON FAITH CONFERENCE

INCLUDED ROUND TRIP

hometown to airport transfers Collette takes the hassle out of getting to the airport with our hometown pickup for all air-inclusive tours (for groups of 10 or more).

THE WORLD AWAITS WITH TOURS TO ALL SEVEN CONTINENTS. Call 844.445.5663 or your local travel professional now to learn about our booking offers.

CST# 2006766-20 UBN# 601220855 Nevada Seller of Travel Registration No. 2003-0279

GOF

THE MAGAZINE F O R FA I T H - B A S E D T R AV E L

[ WINTER 2019 ]

22 26 30

Best of Alabama Groups get authentic Southern experiences on tours through this state.

All Aboard

A World of Color

Scenic trains offer memorable ways to see the countryside.

Art museums are windows into human creativity.

DEPARTMENTS Columns 6 EDITOR’S NOTES: Seeing travel through fresh eyes ON THE COVER: The Aurora Winter Train showcases snowy scenery on the Alaska Railroad.

By Mike Criss, courtesy Alaska Railroad

4

Spotlights

HEARTLAND

TRAVEL GUIDE 34 Discover essential agritourism experiences in America’s Midwest.

Extra

8 WELCOME to WICHITA This Midwestern city will host the 2020 Going On Faith Conference.

14 ONSITE IN JORDAN

43 MYRTLE BEACH STUDENT GUIDE This South Carolina beach destination is ideal for youth group trips.

40 RETREAT: Taconic Retreat Center

Mac T. Lacy Founder and Publisher

Herb Sparrow Senior Writer

Christine Clough Copy Editor

Charles A. Presley Partner

Donia Simmons Creative Director

Brian Jewell Executive Editor

Ashley Ricks Graphic Design/ Circulation

Kelly Tyner Director of Sales and Marketing

Eliza Myers Associate Editor

Kyle Anderson Account Manager

Going On Faith is published quarterly by THE GROUP TRAVEL LEADER, Inc., 301 East High Street, Lexington, Kentucky 40507, and is distributed free of charge to qualified group leaders who plan travel for churches, synagogues and religious organizations. All other travel suppliers, including tour operators, destinations, attractions, transportation companies, hotels, restaurants, and other travel-related companies, may subscribe to Going On Faith by sending a check for $39 for one year to: Going On Faith, Circulation Department, 301 East High Street, Lexington, KY 40507. Phone: (859) 253-0455 or (859) 253-0503. Copyright THE GROUP TRAVEL LEADER, Inc. All rights reserved.

Reproduction of editorial or graphic content in any manner without the written consent of the publisher is prohibited.

VisitNOPC.com

Smoke warms the soul,

out here.

Follow the smoke to one of our local andouille smokehouses. Book an andouille making experience for your group right here along the German Coast, where andouille was first created. Try each maker’s recipe and preparation then proclaim your favorite.

Our stretch of the Mississippi River is the only place in the world where you can taste authentic andouille - the German “sausage” with a French name.

Explore andouille on YouTube

Watch “Throwdown with Andouille” to learn about this cultural icon.

SEEING TRAVEL

EDITOR’S

NOTES BRIAN JEWELL

THROUGH FRESH EYES

S

ometimes you see your own blessings more when looking through someone else’s eyes.

I recently returned from hosting a group of Going On Faith readers on a familiarization trip in Jordan (you can read about it in our article “OnSite in Jordan” on page 16). We host FAM trips to numerous domestic and foreign destinations each year, but this one was different: In addition to professional travel planners, the group also included eight pastors and a couple of their wives.

The idea of bringing pastors along was to introduce them to the amazing biblical sites and faith-based experiences throughout Jordan in hopes they will bring groups from their congregations on return trips. Based on the feedback we got, I think that’s sure to happen. But for me, there was another benefit to traveling with a group of pastors: I got to see the experience through a fresh set of eyes.

This fall, I celebrated my 15th anniversary with our company. In a decade and a half of full-time travel journalism, I have visited 48 states and nearly 30 foreign countries, and I have lost track of the amazing experiences I’ve been privileged to enjoy as part of my job.

If you do anything long enough, though, it can begin to feel routine. And if I’m being honest, 15 years in tourism has taken its toll: I’ve been a lot of places and seen a lot of things. But it’s hard not to become jaded, particularly when each trip now requires me to be away from my young family.

And that brings me back to Jordan. This was my third visit to the country — I was also

there last winter — and my third time to see to many of its most popular sites. And since I was helping to facilitate the FAM, I was more focused on managing the logistical details of the trip than experiencing the history and culture in front of me.

That all changed at Bethany Beyond the Jordan. Many archaeologists and scholars believe this to be the site where Jesus was baptized in the Jordan River, and it’s one of Jordan’s most important faith-based sites.

After a wonderful tour guided by the site’s director, we made our way to a secluded place on the river bank where some of the people in our group wanted to be baptized. And when the first couple went into the water, I knew it was going to be a special moment. The other members of the group spontaneously started singing hymns. Then one of our pastors baptized his wife, and she came out of the water shouting for joy.

The emotion of that moment caught me completely off guard. I was so jaded by my previous experiences — and so preoccupied by our itinerary and schedule — I had forgotten what a special place this is. For me, a visit to Bethany Beyond the Jordan was just another day at the office. For these pastors, though, it was a life-changing experience they’ll never forget.

After that day, I tried to see the rest of the trip through our guests’ eyes. And I loved it. It was a pleasure to watch them discover the wonders of Jordan for the first time. And it was a wonderful reminder of how blessed I am to have a career in travel.

BRIAN JEWELL [ EDITOR ] brianj@grouptravelleader.com

6

going on faith [ winter 2019 ]

JOIN US FOR A TRIP TO LOUISIANA IN APRIL WITH THE GROUP TRAVEL LEADER

H

ave you always wanted to experience the top attractions in western Louisiana? Are you looking for ways to learn more about trip possibilities in Louisiana and have a great time doing it? Do you have a few days to see Louisiana’s No Man’s Land region firsthand in April? Would you like to spend a few days with executive staff of Going On Faith magazine while you’re at it?

If so, we have just the opportunity for you.

The Louisiana Department of Tourism is inviting up to 20 of our travel planner readBRIAN JEWELL (BOTTOM LEFT) AND KELLY TYNER (BOTTOM RIGHT) WILL ACCOMPANY ers to enjoy a five-day site inspection trip TRAVEL PLANNERS TO ENJOY THE CREOLE NATURE TRAIL (TOP) AND LIVE MUSIC IN LOUISIANA (BOTTOM CENTER). in and around its No Man’s Land region, April 22-26. Qualified travel planners will be Courtesy Louisiana Tourism guests of the Louisiana Tourism staff and will enjoy visiting the communities of Lake Charles and Natchitoches and several other parishes along the state’s western edge.

And once you get to Louisiana, all your expenses are covered.

“Join Going On Faith magazine’s executive editor, Brian Jewell, and Kelly Tyner, our director of sales and marketing, for this fun and educational site inspection trip to Courtesy Louisiana Tourism experience the best of Louisiana’s No Man’s Land,” said publisher Mac Lacy. “Brian and travel planners. Applicants will complete a brief travel profile that will be Kelly will accompany our Louisiana hosts on this trip and will be sharing used by Louisiana Tourism staff to select attendees. their travel experiences with everyone in attendance.

“Brian and Kelly will be highlighting the trip in real time on social media, and Brian will write an article on this tour for publication in The To submit your travel profile and request a spot on this exciting trip, go Group Travel Leader magazine,” said Lacy. “Tour participants will have to grouptravelleader.com/nomansland-fam and fill out your profile online. the opportunity to share their impressions and experiences about Louisiana To inquire by phone or to ask a question, call us toll-free at 888-253-0455 with our staff and meet some wonderful hosts from the state. It’s going to and ask for Kelly. be a lot of fun for everyone involved.”

Registration for this complimentary site inspection trip in Louisiana All accommodations, sightseeing, transportation and meals are included closes February 1, so don’t delay. once participants arrive in Louisiana. No travel expenses to and from Join Brian, Kelly and the Louisiana Department of Tourism for a wonLouisiana will be reimbursed. derful trip April 22-26.

This readership event and site inspection tour is limited to 20 qualified

going on faith [ goingonfaith.com ]

7

PRIDE

OF

KANSAS

WICHITA WILL IMPRESS ATTENDEES AT THE GOING ON FAITH CONFERENCE

GOING ON FAITH

CONFERENCE PREVIEW

Courtesy Downtown Wichita

The Keeper of the Plains statue, standing at the confluence of the Arkansas and Little Arkansas rivers, is a Wichita landmark.

W

BY DA N DICKSON

ichita, Kansas, is as well known for its Old West heritage as it is recognized in modern times as the Air Capital of the World. That is quite a span of history, but the city, with its many interesting sites and attractions, is more than happy to educate visitors about what makes this prairie destination so special.

Several hundred delegates to the Going On Faith Conference, scheduled for August 19-21, 2020, will get a chance to see and do a lot in the capital city of

8

going on faith [ winter 2019 ]

Kansas. The conference will take place at the Hyatt Regency Wichita. Connected to the Hyatt is the 200,000-square-foot Century II Performing Arts and Convention Center.

Going On Faith delegates are travel planners who represent churches and faith-based organizations all around the nation and who are seeking fresh travel ideas and destinations to consider. They will meet with hundreds of tour and destination providers. Wichita officials think a planner would do well

to select their city to launch a tour.

“Wichita is the largest city in Kansas and a pretty lively Midwestern location right in the middle of the country and with a lot of local pride,” said Lindsey Gully, convention sales manager for Visit Wichita, the city’s convention and visitors bureau. “Over the past 15 years, downtown Wichita has been evolving into a vibrant area. There’s been a lot of revitalization with restaurants, boutique shopping, breweries, art galleries and neat outdoor spaces. It’s really

Courtesy Old Cowtown Museum

All photos courtesy Visit Wichita unless otherwise noted

Wichita snapshots, clockwise from top left: Wichita’s city flag; dining at a local restaurant; public art inspired by the Keeper of the Plains; Eisenhower National Airport; WichitaSedgwick County Historical Museum; Old Cowtown Museum

fun to walk downtown and see all those things. We are excited to be hosting the conference.”

Old Union Station is downtown in the Old Town area. It has been preserved and restored and offers eateries, entertainment and mixed office space, as well as a winery, one of three in the area. There are about 8,100 hotel rooms in Wichita, with accommodations ranging from luxury to economy. Kansas’ only AAA Four-Diamond hotel — the Ambassador Hotel Autograph Collection — is located in the city.

“THE THINGS THE CHURCH GROUPS I WORK WITH LIKE BEST ARE THE SIZE OF THE CITY AND WHAT IT HAS TO OFFER. IT’S EASY TO GET TO AND NAVIGATE IN, AND WE HAVE PLENTY FOR THEM TO DO.”

The CVB feels that Wichita, a city of 390,000 people, is primed to host a conference like Going On Faith because of its Bible Belt culture and the many faiths represented there.

“We have over 600 churches, and we are very welcoming,” said Gully. “The things the church groups I work with like best are the size of the city and what it has to offer. It’s easy to get to and navigate in, and we have plenty for them to do.”

going on faith [ goingonfaith.com ]

9

WICHITA THEN AND NOW

Wichita hasn’t forsaken its pioneering past while plunging into an exciting future. The city is rich with stories of its beginnings as a cowtown to becoming a center for the aircraft industry.

“After the Civil War, we were one of the destinations at the end of the famous Chisholm Trail,” said Moji Rosson, vice president of sales for Visit Wichita.

Cowboys, many of them just teenagers, drove an astonishing 20 million head of cattle north from Texas to the railheads in Kansas, which meant Kansas helped deliver beef by train to the rest of a growing and hungry country. The Chisholm Trail still bears old wagon ruts in the earth, as well as the way markers that kept the herds and horsemen on track.

Wichita’s Old Cowtown Museum commemorates the area’s cattle-driving past. This living-history museum is in the Delano entertainment district near the Arkansas River, which flows through the heart of the city. The museum lets visitors immerse themselves in the sounds, sights and excitement of a Midwestern cattle town. The area was a cowboy hangout in the old days.

“You can actually experience what it would have been like to be part of Wichita during the cattle days,” said Rosson. “There’s an old general store, a school, historic houses, a blacksmith, funeral parlor, a saloon, everything you can think of.”

In contrast to its Cowtown nickname, Wichita embraced the future of aviation as early as the 1920s and 1930s, when business leaders and aeronautical engineers established such elite aircraft manufacturing companies as Cessna, Beechcraft and Stearman Aircraft. Aviation luminary Charles Lindbergh visited the city often. Famed flier Amelia Earhart was a Kansas native. In the late ’40s, Wichita operated one of the busiest airports in the U.S., as it was a major midcontinent stopover for the new, emerging commercial airline industry.

Today, Airbus, Learjet, Textron Aviation and Spirit AeroSystems continue to design and build aircraft around Wichita. McConnell Air Force Base is in the city.

The local airport is named Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport.

The late president grew up in Kansas.

The Kansas Aviation Museum showcases a world-class collection of aviation memorabilia and is home to the Kansas Aviation Hall of Fame, which includes some of the greatest names in aviation industry.

LOCAL ICONS

Aside from immersing oneself in cowboy lore or the history of the aviation industry, there is much more to do in Wichita. Many visitors who arrive in the city are urged to visit the monument known as Keeper of the Plains.

“It is considered Wichita’s most iconic image and structure, and it is located at the confluence of the Arkansas and Little Arkansas rivers,” said Jessica Sawatski, Visit Wichita’s public relations manager.

The 44-foot-tall steel sculpture of a Native American is standing on land that natives believe is sacred. The image was created by local artist Blackbear Bosin. Each evening, people wander to the surrounding plaza to view the lighting of the Ring of Fire around the monument.

Theater is a special experience in the city mainly because of a summertime program called Music Theater Wichita. The company produces five Broadwayscale musicals June through August using a smattering of Broadway and Hollywood professionals and seasonal performers, technical staff and orchestra members. More than 1,000 people audition for the coveted roles.

“This is one of our hidden gems, a real training ground for Broadway performers,” said Rosson. “They are so good they blow people away. If you watch a Broadway show in New York City, more likely than not, you are seeing artists and actors who got their start right here in Wichita.”

Speaking of the arts, one of the largest art museums in Kansas happens to be the Wichita Art Museum.

Like many midsize American cities, Wichita is seeing an explosion in the craft beer scene. “We have 10 local breweries, and we certainly think that will increase,” said Rosson. “Wichitans have really gravitated toward craft beer, and visitors can also enjoy the creativity of our local breweries, such as with their wheat beers.”

Shopping is fun in Wichita. The CVB recommends a couple of interesting places to explore. One is called the Spice Merchant. It is in a historic building and features more than 200 bulk teas, 75 freshly roasted coffees and various types of bulk herbs and spices. You can pick up gift items and gourmet foods there, too.

Another spot is run by third-generation family members. The Nifty Nut House was opened in 1937. Think nuts, candy, milk and dark chocolates, gum, dried fruits and mints, to name a few delicacies. The shop offers raw, roasted and salted nuts of all kinds.

The Spice Merchant and the Nifty Nut House are both great places to bring groups.

OUTDOOR FUN

Nifty Nut House

10

going on faith [ winter 2019 ]

Along the Arkansas River, near the Delano District, a new 10,000-seat AAA baseball park is being built. It will house a yet unnamed Pacific Coast League team that will begin play there in the spring. When baseball is not in season, the park and surrounding areas will host high school football games, sports festivals, concerts and an ice rink.

“There will also be a lot of dining and shopping options in the area,” said Rosson.

The Arkansas River is also fun for recreation. Local folks and visitors enjoy kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, canoeing and more. People can engage with the river by taking advantage of watercraft rentals in the downtown river area.

Botanica, the Wichita Gardens is the city’s community green space. The gardens offer beautiful surprises year-round as the seasons change. Visitors find prairie wildflowers, flowering shrubs, roses, annuals, perennials and much more.

Wichita is rightfully proud of Sedgwick County Zoo, the seventh-largest zoo in the United States. There are 400 species and about 3,000 individual animals within its gates. The zoo groups its animals geographically, such as by Africa, Asia, North America and so on, and also presents special settings, such as for chimpanzees, tigers, gorillas and penguins. Exhibits are designed to help guests immerse themselves in the animal’s world.

Sunset over downtown Wichita

JOE CAPPUZZELLO

WAY TO GO, WICHITA! Wichita, Kansas, enthusiastically showed its interest in highlighting its destination to faith-based travel planners and will host the Going On Faith Conference as a result.

If a city wants to host an annual travel event like the Going On Faith Conference, Joe Cappuzzello is always happy to hear from them. A destination must demonstrate its ability to treat 300 delegates like they’re the most important people in town, he says. That’s the main criteria for a city that submits a request for proposal to host this annual event.

“We look at three things,” explained Cappuzzello, president of the Group Travel Family, which selects the host cities and manages the conferences. “No. 1 is the destination and the bid they put in. No. 2 is the physical facilities, and in Wichita we will hold the conference at a Hyatt Regency Hotel, which is entirely self-contained. The third is: Do we feel like we’ll be taken care of? We don’t go to big cities. We like to go to places where we feel special and our guests are looked after.”

That’s why Wichita, with its Midwestern hospitality, won Cappuzzello over.

“These cities are investing in us so it is in both of our interests,” he said. “This is a marketing opportunity, brand awareness, a chance for them to showcase their city to a very strategic clientele.”

For more information about hosting the Going on Faith Conference, e-mail: jcappuzzello@grouptravelfamily.com or call him at (800) 628-0993.

going on faith [ goingonfaith.com ] 11

FACES

of FAITH

‘We Travel in Faith’

TRAVEL

BY A SHLE Y R ICKS

SUZANNE TASKOWITZ

[ FAITHFUL TRAVELS ]

BY E L I Z A M YE R S

I

TRAVEL PROGRAM: Faithful Travels began as a fundraiser for the Archdiocese of Miami Respect Life Ministry in 1984. The group plans and escorts pilgrimages to the Holy Land and other religious destinations, such as Greece and the Vatican in Italy.

n the 1970s, Suzanne Taskowitz taught elementary schoolchildren about exotic and fascinating places across the globe. Though the places were familiar to her on paper, the tactile experience of exploring a foreign land eluded her.

“I was teaching geography and history about places I had never been to,” said Taskowitz, group leader and managing partner of Faithful Travels.

“I developed this wanderlust for all those places.”

Taskowitz remained active in her church over the years, which led her to work with the Archdiocese of Miami Respect Life Ministry. That’s when she believes some divine intervention came into play.

“They were losing their funding,” said Taskowitz. “I had just received an email from a company in Greece that would incorporate fundraisers into pilgrimages to Greece. It was incredible timing.”

The 2009 pilgrimage brought 84 people to Greece and raised $10,000 for the ministry. Taskowitz founded Faithful Travels and began regularly planning pilgrimages to follow the steps of Paul in Greece, tour the Vatican in Italy and remember the life of Jesus in Israel. Other trips to the Middle East and other religious sites soon followed.

FAVORITE BIBLE VERSE: 2 Corinthians 5:6-7 “So, we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body, we are away from the Lord, for we walk in faith, not by sight.”

HOMETOWN: Newark, New Jersey

TRAVEL TIPS TIP 1 Spiritual journeys bring out some deep-seated issues and experiences that you must sometimes help with and get the spiritual director’s assistance.

FAVORITE DESTINATION: Greece and Israel are two of Taskowitz’s favorite destinations because of their religious significance.

HOBBIES: Taskowitz hosts baby showers for pregnancy centers during her free time. She enjoys old movies, meditation and browsing for unique items in curiosity shops.

12

going on faith [ winter 2019 ]

TIP 2 Some of the most wonderful and difficult people will go on a pilgrimage for special reasons. They can try your patience, but pray for guidance when dealing with them.

TIP 3 Don’t be afraid to set behavior standards.

Taskowitz’s religious travel program isn’t tied to one church but to many. She works with Catholic priests and other denominations in Florida to create custom faith-based tours.

“People like to travel with priests that they know,” said Taskowitz.

“I’ll advertise trips in The Florida Catholic, but it’s the priests who usually bring people with them. I set up the infrastructure, cover the expenses of the priest, and then the priest will go with the parishioners.”

Taskowitz now has enough experience at holy sites to advise church groups on what will resonate with them most. Once she recommended a group not skip the birthplace of Jesus in Bethlehem despite their concern about the long line into the church. She knew they wouldn’t want to leave the Holy Land without seeing one of Christianity’s most revered places.

When dealing with travel to the Middle East, Taskowitz said the issue of safety regularly comes up.

“I tell the groups that we travel in faith not fear,” said Taskowitz.

“I work with my tour guide to make sure everything is safe.”

Though Taskowitz has made a career out of sending pilgrimages across the ocean, attending the Going On Faith Conference in Grand Rapids, Michigan, this year opened her eyes to a new tour destination: her backyard.

“I had never thought of doing a pilgrimage in the United States,” said Taskowitz. “I gathered information there that I will now put together some pilgrimages in the United States.”

A Present of the Past

She also enjoyed the experience of networking with likeminded conference attendees. She asked a couple of people who drove to the conference from Detroit if they would drop her off in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The two attendees affably agreed and insisted they take her straight to her hotel. After they dropped her off, they realized that Taskowitz hadn’t known either of them before asking for the ride.

“They asked me later, ‘Weren’t you afraid we were going to kidnap you?’ I said, ‘No, I figured I was safe at a faith-based conference.’

I met some really nice people there.”

Taskowitz previously planned secular travel as well as faith-based travel but has found that people often join her pilgrimages with distinct motivations.

“There are all different reasons that people go on a spiritual journey,” said Taskowitz. “Some might be more into their faith, some may be trying to reconnect with their faith, or some may be in turmoil. To watch the transformation of people on a pilgrimage is a moving experience.”

Over the years, Faithful Travels has helped bring many people closer to God. Taskowitz has several stories of people coming on a pilgrimage angry with God and the world. The travelers often come back with newfound clarity and peace.

“It has been a rewarding experience,” said Taskowitz. “When you bring people to the Holy Land and see their reaction, it is an irreplaceable feeling.”

S ite of Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum, the largest hand-cut stone

building in North America and the venue for the scariest paranormal tour in the region. Home to West Virginia’s most scenic and delicious winery.

Destination for your next legendary get-away. It’s Stonewall Country.

CR E AT E LE GE N DA RY A DVE N T U R E S AT STO N E WA L LC OU N TRY. C OM

going on faith [ goingonfaith.com ] 13

JORDAN

FAM

All photos by Brian Jewell

Going On Faith travel planners and their pastor guests explored the wonders of Jordan — including the stunning Petra — on a faithbased FAM tour this fall.

14

going on faith [ winter 2019 ]

Mount Nebo

ON SITE IN JORDAN A TR I P TO JO R DAN CAN B R I N G YO U R FAITH TO LI FE I N A WH O LE N E W WAY.

A baptism at Bethany Beyond the Jordan

Exploring Um Qais

THIS FALL, GOING ON FAITH BROUGHT A GROUP OF 15 PEOPLE TO EXPLORE JORDAN AS PART OF OUR ONSITE FAM PROGRAM. This group included several professional tour operators

and travel agents, as well as numerous pastors from a variety of denominations representing churches from across the country. The delegation traveled as guests of the Jordan Tourism Board and were hosted by Zina Ammari, the organization’s faith-based tourism manager.

During the 10-day journey, the group visited Jordan’s most renowned spiritual sites, such as Bethany Beyond the Jordan and Mount Nebo, as well as significant historical and archaeological sites such as Petra and Jerash. The tour also included natural wonders like the Dead Sea and the incomparable desert at Wadi Rum. Throughout the tour, participants reveled in spiritual experiences and came to love the warmth and hospitality of the Jordanian people. Here’s an overview of some of the trip’s highlights, along with personal reflections from some of the pastors who participated.

Scuba diving in the Red Sea

A homemade snack at Iraq al Amir

JERASH Often referred to as the Pompei of the Middle East, Jerash is the site of the region’s most preserved Roman city, East, which was contracted in the second century A.D. The group walked the streets of this historic city, stopped for photos at Hadrian’s Arch, hiked up to the Temple of Diana and enjoyed a brief concert in a 3,000-seat historic amphitheater.

TEL MAR ELIAS Tel Mar Elias, or the Hill of Elijah, commemorates the life of the Old Testament prophet who spent much of his life in Jordan. From the hill, visitors can see the area where Elijah was born. Tradition also holds that this hill was the site where Elijah was taken up into heaven after crossing the Jordan River. The group explored the archaeological sites on the hill, which include the ruins of two historic churches.

UMM QAIS Referred to in the New Testament as Gadara, Umm Qais is both an archaeological and a biblical site.

It was one of the cities of the Decapolis, and visitors will find extensive ruins from the Roman period as well as the Ottoman period. This is also the place where Jesus drove demons out of two demented men and into a herd of pigs, who then raced down the mountain and into the Sea of Galilee.

AMMAN Jordan’s capital and its largest city, Amman is home to 4 million people. The group stayed three nights in Amman and spent some time exploring the Citadel, its historic center dating back to the Byzantine period.

Ruins at the Citadel suggest earlier civilizations on the site as far back as 1200 B.C. Next, the group toured the Jordan Museum, where participants saw artifacts from across the country, including fragments of the Dead Sea Scrolls.

IRAQ AL AMIR In Iraq al Amir, a village not far from Amman, a group of local women have formed a crafts and hospitality co-op. The organization is one of several sites listed on the Meaningful Travel Map of Jordan.

The group enjoyed opportunities to work closely with local women creating handmade paper crafts, ceramic figures and delicious Jordanian appetizers.

16

going on faith [ winter 2019 ]

Tel Mar Elias

BETHANY BEYOND THE JORDAN For many people, the spiritual highlight of the trip was a visit to Bethany Beyond the Jordan. On the banks of the Jordan River, this site preserves the cave where John the Baptist is believed to have lived, as well as the place where biblical and archaeological evidence suggest Jesus was baptized. The group got a guided tour from the site’s passionate director, then took some time for an impromptu baptism service at a quiet place on the river.

The group in front of the Treasury at Petra

MOUNT NEBO Visited by three popes, Mount Nebo is one of the most important religious sites in Jordan. According to the Old Testament, Moses stood on this mountain and overlooked the Promised Land at the end of his life; then God buried him somewhere in the valley below. The group took in the view at sunset and saw detailed mosaics in the ruins of two historic churches built on the site.

PETRA Jordan’s most famous tourist site, Petra is one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. This city was carved into rose-red cliff walls by the Nabatean people who lived there from the eighth century B.C. to the eighth century A.D. The group spent a whole day exploring the site, including the towering Treasury that appeared in “Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade.” Many group members also hiked up to the Monastery for breathtaking views.

Red Sea exploration

Bethany Beyond the Jordan

RED SEA After spending the night at a resort in Aqaba, Jordan’s only port city, the group ventured out on a yacht cruise to a coral reef in the Red Sea. The waters were calm and crystal clear, perfect conditions for swimming and exploring the sea life below. Some participants snorkeled on their own, and others opted for a guided scuba-diving exhibition. The crew also prepared a delicious lunch of fresh grilled kebabs.

WADI RUM Among the most stunning landscapes in Jordan, Wadi Rum is famous for its towering rock formations and red desert sands. It’s a favorite shooting location for movies such as “The Martian” and the Star Wars franchise. The group explored the area on an open-air jeep tour at sunset. That evening, the group stayed overnight at a Bedouin encampment, where everyone enjoyed traditional food, music and dancing.

The ruins at Jerash

DEAD SEA Sitting on the border between Jordan and Israel, the Dead Sea is the lowest place on earth. Its waters are very salty, which creates ultrahigh buoyancy. The group spent nights at two of the world-class resorts on Jordan’s Dead Sea shore. The group members enjoyed floating in the seawater and coating themselves in the Dead Sea mineral mud, which has restorative properties, as well as dining in the resort restaurants.

An afternoon in Wadi Rum

going on faith [ goingonfaith.com ] 17

BRYANT COLLIER H O US E O F H O PE ATL ANTA , G EO RG IA What did you expect to find in Jordan, and how did your experience compare to those expectations?

I’ll be honest — because Israel is the destination everyone talks about, we really don’t pay attention to Jordan. So I didn’t know how important Jordan was until I got there. I went in blind. So to watch the Old Testament and New Testament come alive was an eye-opening experience. And the hospitality was inspiring. It was one of the most pivotal parts of the experience — from the tour guides to the merchants and even the security checkpoints, it was hospitable the entire way.

What was a spiritual highlight of the trip for you?

Mount Nebo, hands down. It was amazing. For me, it was very big because that’s where Moses stood, where he was able to overlook the Promised Land but not go into it. That’s a very big moment. Then to know that somewhere in that terrain is where he was buried — nobody knew where God took him.

I’m so familiar with Moses, and I have a lot of emotions about his story.

This put things into perspective.

Bryant Collier and Zina Ammari in Wadi Rum

What experiences stand out as a lot of fun?

I had a lot of fun. Our wonderful hostess Zina took me out in Amman.

We were able to go and be part of the normal Jordanian culture. We went to a restaurant and then a lounge, and we got shawarma late at night. We saw the city still full of life. The streets were safe. And it was really fun to watch their culture. There were no strangers anywhere. People were just friendly.

Posing in Petra

How could visiting Jordan impact people in your church?

Pictures can’t do the place justice. You get to see historically what it means for Christianity. When you’re there — it’s amazing — you see how much of an impact Jordan has had in our faith. The ingenuity and rebuilding of the historic sites is really significant. If you want to walk through the Old and New Testament, Jordan is something you should consider.

What would you tell people who have concerns about going?

I have no safety concerns. It’s a peaceful experience. I didn’t fear anyone’s feelings toward me. I felt more safe walking the streets of Amman than I feel in some of the major cities here in the States.

When are you bringing a group back?

We’re already working on getting some dates for my church. There’s also a group of pastors and some social groups I have contacted about doing a trip to Jordan in 2020.

18

going on faith [ winter 2019 ]

What were your expectations of Jordan, and how did they compare to what you experienced there?

I expected it to be much more similar to Israel, where you’re in a military occupied area and you’re aware of that constantly. But I was really comforted by the fact that there wasn’t a heightened military presence. And even though it was a 92% Muslim country, it was extremely hospitable to a bunch of Christian clergy and friends. It’s ironic that we perceive ourselves as a Christian nation, but we don’t have the same level of hospitality toward other faith groups that I experienced in Jordan.

MARK POLSON FI RST U N ITE D M E TH O DIST CH U RCH O F I DAB E L I DAB E L , O KL AH O MA

Mark Polson

What was an impactful spiritual experience during the trip?

The most powerful moment for me was the Jordan River site. We had a great tour with the director and saw the likely site where Jesus was actually baptized. That was incredible to look at all the evidence in one spot.

Then when we went to the private baptism area on the river, I went ahead of everyone to have a little moment with God. I stuck my hand in the water and had a little moment of prayer. It was a reminder to me that this place was the beginning of Christ’s ministry, and it could be a new beginning for me in my ministry and relationship with God. How about an experience that was just plain fun?

That was snorkeling in the Red Sea. I found Nemo, and I could see the coral and the colors and a couple schools of fish. The water was so clear. Then I went back on the boat and fell asleep on the bow for about 30 minutes.

How can a trip to Jordan help people in their own faith journey?

I haven’t quite been able to articulate that yet in my own mind. I think it will happen in the intentionality of creating some type of study or worship time on the trip. The living word of God comes to life in a real way when you’re standing on the sites where the Scriptures were living at the time.

There’s something magical about reading a passage where it took place.

A quiet moment at the Jordan River

How will you talk people through their concerns about going?

I’ve talked to several people who say they were worried about me, but I tell them I was more comfortable there than in Israel, way more comfortable than Paris and so much safer than New York City. That’s a way to set them at ease.

What are your plans to return to Jordan?

I’m testing the interest at my church. I’ll try to get a core group of around six from my congregation, then open it up to other Methodist churches in my county. And I won’t be able to go again without my wife.

going on faith [ goingonfaith.com ] 19

AARON KRUSE PAR K A D E BAPTIST CH U RCH CO LU M B IA , M ISSO U R I How did your experience in Jordan compare to your expectations?

I thought it would be a lot wealthier, like Saudi Arabia. And I thought it would be a lot more dangerous. But our guides helped us understand that Jordan doesn’t have oil like other Middle Eastern countries. There is some poverty there, but the hospitality is amazing. Even in their poverty, the people were very generous and kind. They went out of their way to take care of things.

What spiritual experience from the trip stands out to you?

Bethany Beyond the Jordan made a big impact, and the director of the site really added to that. His passion for the area was such a testimony of faith. But the most personal part was when [fellow group member] Victoria was baptized in the Jordan. Nobody had planned any songs or prayers. But when she came out of the water, she couldn’t stop praising the name of Jesus.

It was a very special and holy moment that we were invited into. It moved me to tears. It was a really precious moment to see her faith encouraged.

Aaron and Angela Kruse

What parts of the trip were the most fun?

One was scuba diving in the Red Sea. That was amazing. I’ve never been scuba diving before, but our dive master was fantastic. I would have no concern sending someone with him to scuba dive. Also, Wadi Rum was a lot of fun. I can’t believe that you can sit in the back of a pickup truck in the desert, going around at 40 to 50 miles per hour with no seat belts. I also ran down a tall sand dune there, and it felt like walking on the moon.

How do you think a trip to Jordan can enhance someone’s faith?

The baptism site is the primary thing you go to see, but so much of the Old Testament happened in Jordan. Elijah is a great example. I have become much more aware of geography as I read the Bible because the biblical map is not overlaid on the current geographical maps.

How would you allay people’s fears about traveling to Jordan?

Through the media, we have scared ourselves to death about this area. But it felt safer than walking the streets of New York. It was worth the journey.

New friends in Jordan

20

going on faith [ winter 2019 ]

Will you be bringing a group from your church to Jordan?

I’m in the middle of that right now. This was as impactful to me as a mission trip. So it needs to be worked into churches as a possibility for travel — go over to see Israel and Jordan, and have your life changed.

What were your conceptions of Jordan before visiting?

I knew of the geological and biblical sites, but I was a little hesitant to go there. My friends were telling me it wasn’t too safe. But I’m adventurous. I wanted to see and stand in Old Testament and New Testament places and places where the Bible says things will unfold in the future.

MARK HARRELL H I CKO RY G ROV E BAPTIST CH U RCH CHAR LOTTE , NO RTH CARO LI NA

How did those perceptions change during the trip?

Everywhere we went, we were met with friendliness and hospitality. It was also interesting to watch the topography change. It was more mountainous than I thought. It made me think about how Old Testament prophets had to be in shape to get around this stuff. It gave me a lot of respect for these people.

What was a spiritual highlight of the trip for you?

It’s hard to narrow that down to one thing. My mission is to enjoy life physically and spiritually. I had prayer times at Mount Nebo and Gadara, where things in the Bible happened. Praying while I was there made me feel a lot closer to God. It’s awe-inspiring. Being there is so different.

What about a fun experience?

I just finished a video from my run at Petra, from the Treasury to the Monetary. I’m getting ready to share that online. Then a couple days later, Zina and I got up around 5:30 for a three-mile run in Wadi Rum. We turned the corner and went around one of the rock outcroppings, and the sun was just coming out. It was beautiful. And when we went to the women’s co-ops and did crafts and cooking with them, that was very enjoyable. You need to visit these co-ops and spend time with the Jordanian women.

Mark Harrell

How do you think a trip to Jordan can help enhance people’s faith?

The way it was explained to me was that “you have to go see it yourself.”

There’s no other way to put into words what you’re going to experience.

What do you tell people who have concerns about going?

When people talk to me, their big concern is finances. So I’m going to try to plan a trip that includes all the major areas but takes out things that make the cost go up, so you can have an epic trip without the high prices.

When do you think you’ll be back?

I’m already talking to my friends in Charlotte about going to Jordan on a fitness trip in the future. I have four or five who want to go, so far.

A hands-on activity at Iraq Al Amir Women’s Association

going on faith [ goingonfaith.com ] 21

BEST

A

STATE OF FAITH

OF

ALABAMA JOURN E Y N ORT H TO SOUTH TO DISCOVER MUSIC, HISTORY A N D MO R E Courtesy U.S. Space and Rocket Center

Clockwise from top: Huntsville’s U.S. Space and Rocket Center; an experience at Muscle Shoals Sound Studio; the Freedom Walk in Birmingham

22

going on faith [ winter 2019 ] Courtesy VisitFlorenceAL.com

Courtesy VisitFlorenceAL.com

2

A

HUNTSVILLE

BY TOM ADK INSON

labama might not look all that big on a roadmap, but it’s long and lean and full of reasons to wander into its corners. Traveling Interstate 65, it’s 364 miles from Ardmore on the Tennessee line to the shores of Mobile Bay. You can roll a bit farther to the Gulf of Mexico’s sugar-white beaches.

Here is an Alabama itinerary that will provide your groups with connections to entertainers of world renown, contemplative sites in civil rights history and some well-traveled exotic animals. Bring an appetite for pork barbecue and fresh seafood, and enjoy Alabama.

1 MUSCLE SHOALS HIGHLIGHT | MUSIC HISTORY When Alabamians mention the Shoals area, they mean a four-city region in northwest Alabama divided by the Tennessee River: Florence, Muscle Shoals, Tuscumbia and Sheffield. Even if the term is unfamiliar, you’ve heard music recorded here, assuming you’ve ever listened to Bob Dylan, Bob Seger, Paul McCartney, Mavis Staples, the Rolling Stones, Paul Simon, Willie Nelson, Linda Ronstadt, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Cher — we could continue, but you get the idea.

Get a total immersion in this musical magic at two recording studios and a lyrical museum. Start with Fame Recording Studios: Aretha Franklin, Wilson Pickett, Otis Redding and others who created 350 million recorded or published cuts here. Like many studios, it’s nondescript, with a CVS, a Walgreens and an AutoZone for neighbors. Just as architecturally unimpressive is Muscle Shoals Sound Studio, often just called 3614 Jackson Highway. Inside is the grand piano you hear on Paul Simon’s “Kodachrome” and Bob Seger’s “Old Time Rock and Roll,” and it, of course, is home to the Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section, also called the Swampers.

The museum to visit is the out-on-a-lonesome-highway Alabama Music Hall of Fame. Despite its isolation, it is full of amazing Alabama trivia and great music. Two displays are particularly fun. Step inside a giant jukebox and listen to songs by Alabamians Lionel Richie, Dr. Hook, Nat “King” Cole and two dozen others, and just a few feet away, you walk into a towering guitar to listen to Tammy Wynette, Hank Williams, Emmylou Harris and many others.

WHILE YOU’RE THERE: Absorb some Native American heritage by hiking up the Florence Indian Mound, built between 100 B.C. and A.D. 400, and enjoying its small museum. You could also visit Tom’s Wall along the Natchez Trace Parkway, a true labor of love honoring a woman of the Yuchi people forced onto the Trail of Tears. One stone at a time, Tom Hendrix, her great-great grandson, built the largest unmortared rock wall in America and the largest memorial to a Native American woman.

MORE INFO | visitflorenceal.com

HIGHLIGHT | SEE ROCKET CITY Navigate east from the Shoals to Huntsville, an Appalachian foothills city that looks to the stars and earned the nickname “Rocket City” because of the Marshall Space Flight Center and a passel of rocket scientists who helped take us to the moon and beyond. Learn all about it — and marvel at the scale of the rockets that flung humans into space — at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center, celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2020 and home of Space Camp, Alabama’s No. 1 visitor attraction. There’s a special in-depth tour of the Marshall Space Flight Center every day at 12:30 p.m.

Back on earth, Lowe Mill Arts and Entertainment has become a major destination. Housed in a massive textile mill building, it is America’s largest independent arts center. It is open Wednesday through Saturday, with more than 150 studios for 200 artists and makers, six fine-art galleries, restaurants, a 400-seat theater and other performance venues. Time your visit just right to enjoy a poetry slam, a swing dance night or an outdoor concert.

Downtown Huntsville has a special treat, the Lucky Duck Scavenger Hunt. You get a clue sheet to help you find 14 bronze ducks, sculpted by a Lowe Mill artist by the way, while exploring downtown and learning about Alabama’s first capital city. Another activity is a driving tour of the Spaces Sculpture Trail, which features 30 large-scale sculptures throughout the city.

WHILE YOU’RE THERE: Go just a bit farther east for a full mountain experience in DeKalb County, and enjoy the Little River Canyon National Preserve, a region of forested highlands, canyon rims, sandstone cliffs, brilliant fall foliage, and rhododendrons and mountain laurel in spring. A sureto-please stop is DeSoto Falls, all 104 feet of it.

MORE INFO | huntsville.org

1

H UN TSV I LLE

2

M USC LE SH OA LS

3 BI R M I N G H A M

ALABAMA 4

M ON TG OM ERY

5 G ULF SH OR ES

going on faith [ goingonfaith.com ] 23

3

4

BIRMINGHAM

MONTGOMERY

HIGHLIGHT | HISTORY AND REVIVAL

HIGHLIGHT | JUSTICE ON DISPLAY

Many people are surprised to learn that Birmingham, 100 miles south, wasn’t founded until 1871. It is the site of one of the saddest episodes in American history: the murder of four young black girls in the 1963 bombing of the 16th Street Baptist Church. The church long ago memorialized the girls and, in late 2019, enhanced their story with a new museum-caliber display called “The Experience.” Groups are welcome to inspect timelines of city history and the darkest days of the 1960s. A touching stained-glass window of a crucified black Christ donated by the citizens of Wales overlooks the impressive sanctuary, and Kelly Ingram Park across the street contains numerous thought-provoking statues.

There’s a respite from the heaviness of 1960s history just a few blocks away at Railroad Park, a 19-acre greenspace in the heart of downtown. It’s a place for walks, concerts and outdoor activities that is adjacent to one of minor league baseball’s most impressive stadiums, Regions Field. A lake, ponds and streams add extra accents, and the highest point on the Rail Trail affords you impressive views. Highrise offices are in one direction, and the iconic statue of Vulcan is in the other direction atop Red Mountain.

Railroad Park was reclaimed industrial space, and similar efforts produced the Pepper Place district. Starting in the 1980s, various businesses began popping up in a factory and warehouse district anchored by an old Dr Pepper plant that once produced all the Dr Pepper syrup used east of the Mississippi River. Today, there are 350,000 square feet of shops, restaurants and offices. Saturdays from mid-April through mid-December are effervescent, with a bustling outdoor market for farmers, makers and food vendors.

WHILE YOU’RE THERE: Get inspiration for sprucing up your own yard at two free gardens. On the south side of Red Mountain is the Birmingham Botanical Gardens, 67.5 acres designed to impress. Calling itself Alabama’s largest living museum, it has 25 interpretative and themed gardens, including a Japanese garden and a wildflower garden, and more than 3,000 plant varieties. Slightly farther south in Hoover is Aldridge Gardens, 30 acres especially famous for its hydrangea displays.

Confronting the legacy of slavery, lynching and segregation is the goal of two sites the Equal Justice Initiative opened in downtown Montgomery in 2018. They are stark and somber, and they provoke deep thought and conversation. The New York Times said, “There’s nothing like this in the country.”

One is the Legacy Museum: From Enslavement to Mass Incarceration, built on the site of a warehouse where enslaved people were held. It explains the history of racial inequality and its relationship to contemporary issues. Less than a mile away is the National Memorial for Peace and Justice, a powerful six-acre outdoor reminder of almost 5,000 racial terror lynchings in the U.S. between 1887 and 1950. Eight hundred monuments, each six feet tall, tell a painful story: That’s one monument for every county where a lynching occurred.

WHILE YOU’RE THERE: The three-deck Harriott II riverboat gives you a water-level view of Montgomery with cruises on the Alabama River, which flows through the heart of the city. It docks beside the Riverfront Amphitheater and offers midday and evening excursions.

MORE INFO | visitingmontgomery.com

National Memorial for Peace and Justice

Courtesy Equal Justice Initiative

MORE INFO | birminghamal.org Montgomery’s Harriott II Riverboat

A Martin Luther King Jr. statue overlooking 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham

By Tom Adkinson

24

going on faith [ winter 2019 ]

Courtesy VisitingMontgomery.com

5 GULF SHORES HIGHLIGHT | MOVING ZOO Alabama is known for its beautiful 60 miles of Gulf of Mexico coastline, but an attraction unrelated to sand and surf has brought the area international publicity. It’s the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo in Gulf Shores, made famous in 2004 when Hurricane Ivan forced the first wholesale evacuation of a U.S. zoo because of a natural disaster. The almost incredible feat led to the “Little Zoo That Could” TV series, and that led to the donation of a bigger and safer parcel of land.

You could rename the zoo again as the “Little Zoo That Moved” because it is to reopen in February 2020 four miles inland after expanding from seven acres to 25 acres. A novel element is the Safari Club Restaurant, a public restaurant open beyond zoo hours that overlooks the zoo. That means your group can hear the monkeys howl and the lions roar while having dinner on the veranda. The zoo has 600 animals, 199 species and a staff that enjoys a good laugh. That’s why there is a crane named Frazier and a sloth named Sonic.

WHILE YOU’RE THERE: Some of the region’s lodging and dining buzz comes from Gulf State Park and its 350-room lodge, a Hilton hotel, that opened in late 2018. When Hurricane Ivan whacked the zoo, it also destroyed the previous lodge, built in the 1970s. The multifaceted park has two miles of beachfront, and the lodge offers accommodations and dining for groups.

Muscle Shoals Sound Studio Courtesy VisitFlorenceAL.com

A tamandua encounter at the Gulf Coast Zoo Courtesy AL Gulf Coast Zoo

A black panther resting at the zoo Courtesy AL Gulf Coast Zoo

MORE INFO | gulfshores.com

BIEDENHARN MUSEUM & GARDENS 2020 EXHIBITS: ADAM & EVE STATIONS OF THE CROSS

FEATURING- BIBLE MUSEUM, COCA-COLA MUSEUM, FORMAL GARDENS & HISTORIC HOUSE 318-387-5281 | 800-362-0983 | BMUSEUM.ORG 5¢ COCA-COLA MONROE-WEST MONROE.ORG FOR HOTEL/RESTAURANT INFO going on faithINgoingonfaith.com [ A GLASS BOTTLE ] 25

O F T R AC K S

AND

TUNNELS B Y R OBIN ROENKER

T HE S E S C E N IC RA IL ROADS OFFER EPIC GROUP EXPERIENCE S

T

A mountain journey on the Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad Courtesy Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad

A Cumbres and Toltec open-air car

here’s something about the sound of a train: the rhythmic clacking of the tracks, the chug of the engine and that unmistakable whistle to let you know you’ve arrived.

Across the country, scenic railways offer routes through some of America’s most pristine natural beauty, traveling at a pace that lets guests soak in the experience. Here are five to consider for your next group itinerary.

Courtesy Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad

26

going on faith [ winter 2019 ]

[ DURBIN AND GREENBRIER VALLEY RAILROAD ] WEST VIRGINIA The largest tourist railroad operating in the eastern United States, the Durbin and Greenbrier Valley Railroad offers scenic trips through the Appalachian Mountains of West Virginia. With multiple routes offered from three depot locations — Elkins, Cass, and Durbin — running from April through December, groups can choose treks that range from two hours to all-day excursions. The railroad also offers both diesel-powered and, for those who want a taste of nostalgia, steam-powered engines.

“The Durbin Rocket is a steam-powered, two-hour ride that takes you along the Greenbrier River and the Monongahela National Forest to a beautiful spot where you can get out and enjoy the view,” said Kathy Smith, Durbin and Greenbrier Valley’s director of marketing and retail sales.

For groups wanting a longer experience, the Cheat Mountain Salamander excursion offers an eight-hour trip from the Elkins depot through some of the state’s most remote, untouched wilderness to the scenic “High Falls” of Cheat Mountain and the historic small town of Spruce, accessible only by rail.

Railroad history buffs might wish to book a trip from the Cass depot, in particular, as it’s home to Locomotive No. 5, a turn-of-the-20th-century Class C-80 Shay engine that’s one of the oldest locomotives in continuous service on its original line in America. From Cass, the Bald Knob route offers spectacular overlooks of the third-highest point in West Virginia.

“A lot of times our groups will book not just one train, but link together a couple of excursions, sometimes taking two or even three trains in a single day,” Smith said. “That way, groups can experience multiple trips at the same time.” mountainrail.com [ CUMBRES AND TOLTEC SCENIC RAILROAD ] NEW MEXICO AND COLORADO There’s a reason the Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad, which travels the 64 miles between Chama, New Mexico, and Antonito, Colorado, is an official National Historic Landmark. Boarding its trains is like taking a step back into the Old West.

“The railroad itself was built in 1880 and traverses country that largely has no paved roads, no power lines and no parking lots,” said John Bush, Cumbres and Toltec’s president and general manager. “What you see as you ride the train is the authentic West. We like to say, basically, it’s 64 miles of 1880.”

From Chama, guests can expect to see rolling meadows and the historic Lobato sheep ranch before the track begins its four-degree climb into the San Juan Mountains, where beautiful vistas of Aspen-lined hillsides culminate in multiple high-trestle crossings of Wolf Creek and Cascade Creek below.

The route includes Cumbres Pass, which — at 10,015 feet — is the highest mountain pass reached by rail in the United States.

From the other direction, coming out of Antonito, “it looks like high desert, sagebrush country; but that transitions to pinyon and juniper forest, which then transitions to ponderosa pines, aspens and spruces,” Smith said. “You’re seeing the West of a century ago, essentially. It allows people to introspect about their place in nature and the American Dream.”

Riders can opt to leave from either station, as both routes leave at 10 a.m. and arrive at their destination, the opposite depot, around 4 p.m. In the middle of the day, both trains meet in the small town of Osier, Colorado, for a hot lunch. While the trains are on the move, riders can stand in an open-air gondola car to experience the scenery firsthand as it rolls by.

“It’s the relaxed slowing-down that people enjoy on our trains,” Smith said.

“The fact that the trains move slowly and that people are free to move around on the train gives guests the opportunity to connect with one another in ways that you do not experience on other modes of travel.” cumbrestoltec.com

[ DURANGO AND SILVERTON NARROW GAUGE RAILWAY ] COLORADO Originally used to haul silver and gold from Colorado’s San Juan Mountains, the historic line now used by the Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad (DSNGRR) has been in operation for more than 135 years.

The railway runs three trains a day from Durango to Silverton, Colorado, and back during peak season, from May to October. Groups enjoy the flexibility of being able to start a one-way, 45-mile, three-and-a-half-hour journey on vintage steam locomotives from either depot, said Carrie Whitley, director of travel trade sales for American Heritage Railways, which operates the DSNGRR. Roundtrip options are also available.

“If a group is taking a route coming from a national park in Utah, for instance, many times they would start their journey with us in Silverton, which is a charming little Victorian, Old West mining town,” Whitley said.

As the train travels to Durango, it follows along the Animas River, at some points hugging breathtaking cliffsides. “Our train allows visitors to see the wildness and natural beauty of the San Juan National Forest in areas that you can’t access any other way,” Whitley said.

Once in Durango, visitors will want to make time to stop in at Durango and Silverton’s Railroad Museum. Admission is free, and the hundreds of artifacts there offer a unique glimpse into the history of railroading.

In the winter months, from November through early May, the railroad runs excursions from Durango to Cascade Canyon, 26 miles away. In the summer and fall months, with enough advance notice, groups can also book a ticket on the railway’s special event trains, including its Wine and Rails and its Brew Train experiences, which feature in-car wine and craft beer tastings. durangotrain.com

Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railway

Durbin and Greenbrier Valley Railroad

Courtesy Durbin & Greenbrier Valley Railroad

Courtesy Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railway

going on faith [ goingonfaith.com ] 27

A dome car on the Alaska Railroad’s Coastal Classic

By Glenn Aronwits, courtesy Alaska Railroad

#1 Scenic Train Ride!

[ ALASKA RAILROAD ] ALASKA The Alaska Railroad operates several routes from the Gulf of Alaska to Fairbanks, including popular options like the Coastal Classic daytrip, which has been ranked among the top-10 train rides in North America by National Geographic Traveler. Offering roundtrip service from Anchorage to Seward, where guests have a seven-hour layover in order to enjoy Resurrection Bay or Kenai Fjords National Park, the Coastal Classic route operates daily from midMay through mid-September.

From mid-September through early May, service typically includes weekend routes only, with midweek departures during the Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year holidays as well as the last half of February into March, said Meghan Clemens, Alaska Railroad’s marketing communications manager.

For groups wanting a multiday experience, Alaska Railroad also offers multiple summer and winter package options. The Aurora excursion, a six-night journey offered on select dates in February and March 2020, includes two nights in Talkeetna, where guests enjoy a guided sled-dog tour before heading to Fairbanks for views of the famed northern lights. For those who prefer a oneway option, the Winter Escape package includes a two-day trip between Anchorage and Fairbanks, allowing guests to fly back on their return.

“Train travel is naturally well suited to group travel,” Clemens said. “We have the space for large groups to all sit together, and people can also get up and move around in ways they can’t necessarily do on a bus. So it’s a nice way for groups to be able to visit and mingle.”

“We always love the opportunity to show off the beauty of Alaska,” said Tim Sullivan, the railroad’s director of external affairs. “We understand that the ride itself is as important as the destination here thanks to these vast, beautiful Alaskan vistas our riders are able to look out and enjoy as they travel.” alaskarailroad.com

Season runs Memorial Day weekend to mid-Oct Departs Antonito, CO and Chama, NM daily at 10:00am Group Pricing Available 1-877-890-2737 ~ www.cumbrestoltec.com/groups 28

going on faith [ winter 2019 ]

[ MOUNT WASHINGTON COG RAILWAY ] NEW HAMPSHIRE There’s no better way to experience the beauty of New Hampshire’s White Mountains than a trip aboard the Mount Washington Cog Railway, the world’s first mountain-climbing cog railway train.

When the railway first opened in 1869, traversing an incline as steep as 30%, it was hailed as one of the greatest engineering feats of the century.

Now celebrating its 150th year in operation, the historic line treats visitors to a narrated, three-hour, round-trip train ride to the summit of Mount Washington and back. Guests have the opportunity to spend time atop the summit, including a stop at the Sherman Adams Visitor Center, where panoramic views of five states are possible, before their return trek by train down the mountain.

In addition to experiencing the beauty of Mount Washington, the tallest peak in the Northeast, visitors can immerse themselves in the history of the railway there, thanks to the line’s on-site museum.

The railway’s main operating season runs from May through November. In April and December, limited weekend routes are available that culminate at Waumbek Station, roughly a third of the way up the mountain. Due to the area’s harsh winter weather conditions, no routes run January through March.

When the train is in operation, groups can opt to ride on coal-fired steam engines, typically in use during the first morning trip of the day, or on one of the line’s biodiesel trains.

“We changed much of our fleet over to biodiesel about 10 years ago,” said Rob Arey, the Cog Railway’s marketing director. “But we know lots of people still love the steam-powered option.” thecog.com

Courtesy Mount Washington Cog Railway

Mount Washington Cog Railway now and then

going on faith [ goingonfaith.com ] 29

I M AG I N AT I O N

D I S P L AY ON

T HE S E A RT M US E UMS WILL IGNITE Y OUR GROUP’S CREATI V I T Y

A

The art museum at Newfields in Indianapolis has more than 54,000 works in its collection.

Milwaukee Art Museum Courtesy Milwaukee Art Museum

Indianapolis Museum of Art at Newfields “St. Francis Receiving the Stigmata” at the Philadelphia Museum of Art Courtesy Philadelphia Museum of Art

30

going on faith [ winter 2019 ]

Courtesy Newfields

B Y REBECCA TREON Courtesy Newfields

rt moves us.

Art can stimulate our own creativity, encourage dialogue, reflect the political climate of a time and teach us about history and humankind.

It can immerse us in different cultures and make us feel part of a global community.

Art museums are wonderful year-round destinations with plenty to see, including both temporary and permanent exhibitions.

They also have special programming, from docent-led tours and art-making workshops to lectures and live music.

Here, we highlight a few of the country’s most notable art museums, where groups can take in inspiring works of art and explore their own creativity.

[ MILWAUKEE ART MUSEUM ] MILWAUKEE The Milwaukee Art Museum started in 1888 and has grown to a 31,000-piece collection housed in a four-story building with 40 galleries. The museum was designed by famed architect Eero Saarinen, with a later addition by Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava. Its permanent collection is known for 20th-century European and American works by the likes of Braque, Kandinsky and Picasso, as well as pre-1900 decorative arts and many German expressionist prints. With such a sizable trove of artworks, only 10% of the entire collection is on display at any one time.

“We try to have a great mix of artists, from classics to modern artists,” said public relations director Josh Depenbrok. “The work runs the gamut of all materials, from painting to sculpture, and through all eras.”

The museum features a noteworthy photography collection from photographers such as Diane Arbus and Garry Winogrand, as well as one of the world’s foremost collections of Haitian art. It has a series of Georgia O’Keeffe paintings and two large collections of American folk art and self-taught art.

Docent-led tours can offer a general overview of the museum or focus on a specific collection or exhibit. There are also hands-on art projects available for visitors. mam.org [ NEWFIELDS ] INDIANAPOLIS In 2017, Newfields combined its various branches into one entity, making it one of the largest museum groups in the country. Its 152-acres campus includes the Indianapolis Museum of Art, Fairbanks Park, the Garden, Lilly House and the Elder Greenhouse, which is surrounded by historic landscapes, gardens, an art and nature park, performance areas, outdoor sculptures, and wetlands and woodlands. The museum was founded in 1883 and today has an encyclopedic collection of 54,000 pieces covering 5,000 years.

“Our 152-acre cultural campus offers exceptional experiences with art and nature,” said communications coordinator Emily Sogard. “We have one of the best neoimpressionist collections outside of France; Robert Indiana’s original Love sculpture; and Rembrandt’s earliest known self-portraits, plus rotating and traveling exhibitions.”

Recent exhibitions from its collection include “A Brush With Beauty: Japanese Paintings in Ink, Color and Gold,” which features not only the museum’s worldrenowned collection of Edo-period paintings but also masterpieces spanning 700 years of Japanese painting. Japan is the year’s thematic thread, so one of the most notable temporary exhibits this year is Yayoi Kusama’s mirrored infinity room along with a four-floor special exhibition of her work.

Tours are arranged to fit the interests of the group and include museum collection highlights and spotlight tours of specific galleries and special exhibitions.

One tour, the Closer Look tour, offers a deep dive into one piece of art or a history tour that focuses on one period of art. Tours are also offered of the Garden, the Lilly House and the 100-acre Art and Nature Park. discovernewfields.org [ PHILADELPHIA MUSEUM OF ART ] PHILADELPHIA The Philadelphia Museum of Art began at the Centennial Exhibition of 1876.

Memorial Hall, constructed for the event, remained open, exhibiting modern-day objects, books, and fine and decorative art objects such as ivories, jewelry, pottery, paintings, porcelain and textiles. The Main Building opened in 1928 and had 1 million visitors in its first year. Today, its entrance is being renovated, adding 23,000 square feet of gallery space for its modern and contemporary collections.

The campus includes the Perelman Building, the Rodin Museum and two his-

Fanciful wings above the Milwaukee Art Museum

Courtesy Milwaukee Art Museum

toric 18th-century houses in Fairmount Park, Mount Pleasant and Cedar Grove.

“The Philadelphia Museum of Art is the cultural heart of the city,” said Shari Feldman, manager of groups sales and tourism. “The museum is based on 2,000 years of fine arts and ranges from a variety of different cultural places and timelines up to contemporary American art.”

The museum is known for its impressionist and post-impressionist collection, with works by Cezanne, van Gogh, Manet, Monet, Renoir, Pissarro and Degas, and its campus includes the Rodin Museum, which features the largest collection of Rodin sculpture outside France. A 10-minute walk from the Main Building, it features indoor and outdoor works by the renowned sculptor. Another interesting aspect of the collection are its architectural settings — like the Japanese teahouse, the French medieval cloister and the Gilded Age drawing room — that offer a walk through time and space.

There are self-guided and docent-led tours available for groups, and tickets are good for two days’ admission at both the Main and Rodin museums. The museum holds special events such as yoga classes in the galleries, plus a quarterly evening event called Friday Remix, when the galleries are full of music, dancing, art-making and performances. philamuseum.org

Van Gogh’s “Sunflowers” at the Philadelphia Museum of Art

An Indian temple at the Philadelphia Museum of Art

Courtesy Philadelphia Museum of Art

Courtesy Philadelphia Museum of Art

Philadelphia Museum of Art’s Rodin Museum

Courtesy Philadelphia Museum of Art

A large-scale painting at the High Museum of Art

High Museum of Art’s Stent Family Wing

Courtesy High Museum of Art

[ HIGH MUSEUM OF ART ] ATLANTA The High Museum of Art is in midtown Atlanta and features seven curatorial departments, among them African art, European art and modern and contemporary art. It was one of the first museums in the country to recognize the significance of photography as an artform, and its collection includes work from Walker Evans and Eugene Atget and photos of the civil rights movement. The High was also the first museum to establish a collection of folk and self-taught artists. They also have special exhibitions, like the recent Sally Mann photography exhibit, work by children’s book author Maira Kalman and Yuri Suzuki’s outdoor sound playground.

“We’re one of the leading museums in the Southeast, with over 17,000 works of art in our permanent collection,” said Marci Tate Davis, manager of public relations. “We hold special talks and tours related to our special exhibitions, docent-led tours, daily highlights tours of our permanent collection and weekend family tours.”

Though groups can take self-guided or docent-led tours, there are several options for specialty tours as well, including Adventures in Architecture, Discover African Art and Women in Art. One Friday a month, the museum hosts High Frequency Fridays, an evening event that features docent-led tours, theater performances, music, and a theater performance and cocktails.

Monthly Friday Jazz features live jazz music, cocktails and open galleries. At both of these events, the museum hosts Drink and Draw, where guests can sketch live models.

The Greene Family Learning Gallery is a space within the museum that is used for classes and interactive art-making and has a play area. Conversation Pieces is a monthly event, with museum educators looking at one piece of art and talking about it. The museum hosts lectures by the artists whose work is featured there; they are often sold out. high.org

Find It. Love It. Epworth.

Denver Art Museum

By James Florio, courtesy DAM

A Conference, Retreat & Vacation Center Our gorgeous riverfront campus on St. Simons Island, Georgia, is a coveted destination for groups of all ages, sizes and missions.

• Over 41,000 sq. ft. of meeting space for 10-900 guests • 6 auditoriums • 31 meeting rooms • 235 motel rooms

• 22 bunk style youth cabins (sleeps up to 500) • 4 dining facilities • Recreation facilities • Adventure ropes course

View all of this and more at EpworthByTheSea.org or call 912-638-8688 for more information.

32

going on faith [ winter 2019 ]

let your

[ DENVER ART MUSEUM ] DENVER In the heart of downtown Denver, the Denver Art Museum is one of the top-20 most-attended art museums in North America. A phased opening of its newly renovated Martin Building will start in June; it will include 12,000 square feet of dedicated classroom spaces, a conservation lab where museum guests can observe conservation work in action and a design studio similar to the one in the adjacent Hamilton Building where museumgoers can create art and watch hands-on art demonstrations.

“For me, the museum is so unique because of the exhibits that come through,” said group services supervisor Jessica Herchenroeder. “We want to present exhibitions that are relevant and that people can connect with in an engaging way.”

Past exhibitions have highlighted Monet, Star Wars and Dior, as well as local artists like Jonathan Saiz and Jordan Casteel. The museum includes some of the most robust collections of Western American, Native American, Latin American, Asian and European art in the country.

To present parts of its permanent collections in a unique way, artworks from different eras, styles, cultures and collections are organized around a theme. “It’s a really interesting way to break down barriers between different cultures and talk about different styles of art,” Herchenroeder said.

Many of the galleries present areas for art creation, from coloring pages to drawing stools, along with the Design Studio. Groups can take self-guided or docent-led tours of special exhibitions or join Talk at 12, an in-depth look at an aspect of the museum’s collection, each Wednesday and Friday. The Custom Access Tours are adaptable and customizable tours, and several special programs are available for those with dementia, autism, low vision or sensory issues. denverartmuseum.org

imagination run wild.

Known as North Carolina’s Southern Outer Banks, the Crystal Coast has inspired world renowned authors such as Nicholas Sparks and Kristy Harvey. Let us inspire you with help planning events, selecting outstanding accommodations and making your experience our top priority. We’ll make sure everything is perfect so you can focus on making memories, enjoying our beautiful beaches, unique activities and natural beauty.

Call us at 1-888-891-0021 or email groups@CrystalCoastNC.org

BookTheCoast.com

The Denver Art Museum’s Hamilton Building Courtesy DAM

going on faith [ goingonfaith.com ] 33

HEARTLAND

FARM CENTRAL

TRAVEL GUIDE

Groups get to know Texas longhorn and other breeds of cattle at Dickinson Cattle Company in Ohio.

AGRITOURISM OPPORTUNITIES ARE GROWING IN AMERICA’S HEARTLAND

F

BY PAUL A AVEN GL ADYC H

arms have never been so fun.

Many farmers and ranchers in the U.S. have turned to agritourism as a way to educate visitors about modern and historical agricultural practices, as well as entertain them. From dairy farms to reindeer and cattle ranches, historical farms and apiaries, there’s an agricultural adventure for everyone in America’s Heartland.

Scenes from Fair Oaks Farms in Indiana

34

going on faith [ winter 2019 ]

Courtesy Dickinson Cattle Co.

FAIR OAKS FARMS FAIR OAKS, INDIANA Fair Oaks Farms is an agritourist’s dream. The 30,000-acre farm offers group visitors the chance to take one of three different agricultural tours: the dairy adventure, the pig adventure or the crop adventure. Most groups choose the dairy adventure because “everybody loves milk and ice cream,” said Sharon St. Myers, adventure sales manager for Fair Oaks Farms.

The dairy tour takes groups on a 45-minute bus tour of the farm, driving them through the free-stall barns and the nursery. Visitors also have a chance to watch 72 cows being milked at once on the farm’s high-tech milking carousel.

Watching the cows taking their turn on the carousel is like watching “a bunch of old ladies kibitzing,” St. Myers said. “All these girls on the rotary; you see them chewing their cud, which means they are happy. It is their happy place.”

While there, visitors learn about the milking process and how the milk is pasteurized and put on tanker trucks as soon as it is taken from the dairy cows.

Visitors also get to see calves being born in the birthing barn and view a 3D/4D movie that flies visitors over Fair Oaks Farms.

Each tour takes an hour and a half to 2 hours. If groups are pressed for time, they can just take the 45-minute bus tour.

The pig adventure is similar to the dairy adventure in that groups can walk through three different sections of the pig barn, viewing boars, pregnant mothers and piglets.

“It is interesting,” St. Myers said. “Every time I go do it, I find something new.

That’s what is fascinating.”

Groups can top off their visit by tasting cheese or ice cream made from milk produced on the farm, or they can sign up for a hot buffet or a sack lunch as part of their tour. fofarms.com

Photos courtesy Fair Oaks Farms

going on faith [ goingonfaith.com ] 35

HARDY’S REINDEER RANCH RANTOUL, ILLINOIS

Close encounters at Hardy’s Reindeer Ranch

Mark and Julie Hardy never intended for their ranch to become a popular agritourism destination. When they flew to Alaska 24 years ago to purchase a herd of reindeer, their main goal was to market their Christmas tree farm.

Instead, the reindeer became a major tourist attraction, with more than 45,000 people coming each year to meet them, said Julie Hardy.

“In a zoo, you don’t get to get close to them,” she said. On the ranch’s reindeer tour, guests get to hear the story of how the reindeer herd was shipped to Illinois from Alaska in large shipping crates on Delta Airlines. They can even get a kiss from a reindeer by placing a graham cracker in its mouth.

Julie said she and her husband didn’t know what they were getting into when they first got the idea of raising reindeer.

“I grew up with a cat, and my hubby used to milk cows, so he had some livestock experience,” she said. “But reindeer are not cows. We had to figure out their health care and feed program. They are unique in their own species, so we had to get that right.”

Tour groups, depending on their budget, can book a meal in the ranch’s Wild West saloon, which specializes in chuck-wagon barbecue served on tin plates, with bandannas as napkins. Groups can also take guided tours of the farm and the reindeer.

The ranch is phasing out its Christmas trees.

“We’re getting too old for it. The kids are too old for it,” Julie said. Instead, the ranch brings in fresh cut trees from Michigan to sell for the holidays. The ranch is open to the public from September through December, but groups are welcome to visit year-round.

Many come in on mystery tours. reindeerranch.com

Courtesy Hardy’ Reindeer Ranch

Dickinson Cattle Company

Czech Days in Wilber

36

going on faith [ winter 2019 ]

Tour SOUTHEAST INDIANA

A pasture tour at Dickinson Cattle Company

RiveR Town Spend a day along the Ohio River Scenic Byway and explore historic Aurora. Follow an urban arts trail with your artist guide, tour landmark mansions, enjoy a “Linens & Luxury” luncheon and visit a small brewery with a big history.

“Wonderful experience, Top-notch service!”

- CB&S Bank Shining Stars, Russellville, AL

Courtesy Dickinson Cattle Co.

DICKINSON CATTLE COMPANY BARNESVILLE, OHIO The Dickinson family started its agritourism business 21 years ago.

“We found that a lot of people enjoy seeing cattle and how they’re raised,” said Darol Dickinson, general manager of the ranch. “They see what they eat and see cows and calves in the pastures.”

Groups are taken by ranch bus on a 75-minute narrated tour of the property that not only details the history of the different breeds of cattle raised there, but also talks about the ranch itself, which sits on reclaimed mine land.

Isaac Parker, the infamous “hanging judge” of the Old West, was raised on the ranch in the early 1800s, so visitors hear tales about his childhood there.

The ranch can take groups as large as 80 people at a time. The groups are split between two buses to give people plenty of room.

Dickinson Cattle Company raises Texas longhorns, African Watusi and Dutch Buelingo cattle. At any given time, the ranch has 1,600 head of cattle situated on a little under 5,000 acres in the Appalachian foothills.

The bus tours take visitors around the ranch’s 28 lakes, where visitors can see cattle up close and even feed them through the bus windows.

The ranch gets close to 5,000 agritourists a year. It is right off Interstate 70, so it catches many of the tour groups traveling from the East Coast to Branson, Missouri, or visitors going to the Ark Encounter in Kentucky.

Groups can also stay for a catered meal, enjoying the ranch’s Texas longhorn beef for lunch. texaslonghorn.com

“Windows of Aurora” Hillforest Victorian House Museum

OHIO Indianapolis

INDIANA

1

Cincinnati

KENTUCKY

Louisville

Lexington

South of I-74 & west of I-275, 20 minutes west of Cincinnati Dickinson Cattle Company longhorns

The Dickinson farm store

www.TOURSoutheastIndiana.com 800-322-8198

Photos courtesy Dickinson Cattle Co.

going on faith [ goingonfaith.com ] 37

LIVING HISTORY FARMS URBANDALE, IOWA

Historic farming techniques on display at Living History Farms in Iowa

Living History Farms is an outdoor history museum that educates, entertains and connects people of all ages to Midwestern rural life experiences.

The property has three working farm sites from different eras of Iowa history, including a 1700 Ioway farm that “honors the native Indians who would have been living in this area before pioneer settlers arrived,” said Amy Day, director of marketing and communications for the museum. It also features an 1850 pioneer farm, where the farmers use scythes and other 1850s farm implements to do their work, and a 1900 horse-powered farm. An 1875 town site called Walnut Hill has myriad buildings to tour, including a church, a blacksmith shop, a bank, a millinery, a schoolhouse and an immigrant farmhouse.

Groups are welcome, but there is no guided tour of the property; instead, the museum offers a suggested walking route. Historical interpreters dressed in period-appropriate clothing are stationed throughout the museum to answer any questions.

Courtesy Living History Farms

“They don’t have a script or a specific set of narratives they follow,” she said. “They do have basic information they share. If you are in the blacksmith shop, they know the tools they are working with, but what they share each time is not always the same.”

Interstate 80 runs through the property, so there is a tractor cart that takes visitors under the highway from the town site to the farms.

“As you go through the tunnel, you are going back 300 years in history,” Day said. “It is a very unique spot.”

If groups are concerned about the amount of walking involved, she suggested they restrict their visit to the town side of the property. They can then take the tractor cart over to visit the 1900 farmhouse, which eliminates a lot of the walking to the other two farms. lhf.org

your Adventure Begins at visitkansasCitykS.com 800.264.1563

38

going on faith [ winter 2019 ]

Honey products at Hillside Honey Apiary

Photos courtesy Hillside Honey Apiary

HILLSIDE HONEY APIARY EASTON, KANSAS Hillside Honey Apiary is a family-run honey farm. The owners, Ty and Shelley Martin, bought the apiary six years ago.

Ty, the resident beekeeper, was retiring from the military and wanted a new challenge. The previous owner of Hillside Honey, who was also a veteran, encouraged him to raise bees because it was a great way to control his emotions, said Shelley Martin. When that friend passed away, his wife mentioned she was dissolving the business. The Martins “talked it over and prayed about it,” she said. In the end, they decided to buy what was left of the honey business, which included 50 hives and equipment.

To house their beekeeping operation, the Martins purchased an old rural high school north of Leavenworth. It was an appropriate piece of land, Shelley said, because one of the main goals of Hillside Honey is to educate people about the importance of bees.

Large groups are welcome to take the one-and-a-half-hour tour. Hillside Honey has about 80 hives and a pollinator garden. The tour begins with a 30-minute introduction to bees, beekeeping equipment, pollination and the products that come out of a beehive. Then everyone is suited up in full protective gear so they can get close to the bees in the hives.

They hunt for worker bees, baby bees and even the queen bee in different hives. Some lucky guests are even able to hold on to a frame full of bees and honey because they are protected by their suits.

If the group is larger than 50, the Martins will break them into smaller groups, rotating between Ty’s talk about bees, touring the hives and learning how to make beeswax candles. Visitors also get a chance to sample honey and other products made from Hillside Honey’s hives. hillsidehoney.com going on faith [ goingonfaith.com ] 39

FAITH

CENTERED

TACONIC

Scenic surroundings on Mirror Lake bring a sense of peace and serenity to Taconic Retreat Center in New York.

RETREAT CENTER

Courtesy Taconic Retreat Center

W

BY ELIZA MYERS

hen you turn off the main road into the 220-acre sanctuary at the Taconic Retreat Center, your stress immediately begins to melt away. A quarter-mile drive of lush forests leads to the peaceful Mirror Lake, where the retreat center sits on the tranquil shore.

The Christian center’s natural setting removes distractions so attendees can achieve the “retreat, rest, refuge and renewal” that the center’s staff seeks to provide to every visitor. Located in Milan, New York, the center is two hours north of New York City; one hour south of Albany, New York; and three hours west of Boston. With such easy access, groups come to the site from the northeastern United States and beyond.

Whether a faith-based group wants to spend time staring at gently rippling water in contemplation, engaged in high-energy bonding activities or both, the Taconic Retreat Center offers a plethora of activities to accommodate a variety of ways to find God.

40

going on faith [ winter 2019 ]

LOCATION Milan, New York SIZE: The facility occupies 95 of 225 acres.

CAPACITY: The site can host 225 overnight guests or 300 day guests. The site’s three potential meeting venue buildings hold a wide range of guest capacities for intimate gatherings and larger events.

CONTACT INFO: 845-758-8764 taconicretreat.org

LAKESIDE CHARM The Church of Nazarene founded Taconic in 1966 as a Christian camping and conference center.

Since then, the site has hosted events for a wide range of churches, colleges, Christian schools and other organizations.

White Hall serves as the main building, with a guest services office, a dining hall, four meeting rooms, two prayer rooms and a game room.

Guests typically spend most of their time in this building. Besides the gymnasium, White Hall’s Lakeside is the site’s largest meeting room, with a capacity of 200.

Next door to While Hall is the newly renovated Training Center. This meeting facility hosts day retreats for groups looking to separate themselves from the rest of White Hall’s activities. The Training Center has a main meeting room, three breakout rooms, a kitchenette and bathrooms.

Groups can use the 18,000-square-foot Mucci Center as a gymnasium for indoor sports or a space for large-group worship. The gymnasium sits next to the center’s athletic field and other outdoor activities.

BREAKING A SWEAT Attendees can get their hearts pumping on the Taconic Retreat Center’s climbing wall and zip line. These high-adrenaline activities help groups bond through memorable shared experiences.

The climbing tower consists of three parts.

First, participants climb up to a high rock face.

Once at the top, groups seem to fly back down on the zip line. The site’s “vertical playpen” allows more climbing challenges.

The center also offers a low-ropes course and teambuilding activities for additional fun and bonding. During the warmer months, groups can venture onto the lake with free rentals of single kayaks, double kayaks and canoes. Lifeguards and floating devices are required.

With a New York State fishing license, visitors can cast a line and try their luck fishing in the lake. Those tempted by the cool waters can jump in for a swim if a lifeguard is on duty. Winter months bring opportunities for ice skating, ice hockey and sledding on the lake.

Many youth groups travel to the Taconic Retreat Center seeking a camplike retreat experience. The center provides a fire pit for fellowship, s’mores and glowing warmth.

HOSPITALITY FIRST The Taconic Retreat Center’s staff strives to prioritize hospitality by working to customize groups’ experiences. The staff tries to ensure that guests can focus on growing closer to God, so the team works with group leaders in the weeks leading up to the stay to make sure everything is set for the group’s preferences. Group leaders can choose their meeting room setup, activities, meals and dietary restrictions beforehand for fewer distractions during the retreat.

Accommodations vary in style from the rustic cabins to hotel-style rooms. The Bergers Cottages offers 12 rooms for a capacity of 72. Each room is equipped with its own bathroom, a double bed and bunk beds. The larger Miller House sleeps up to 106 in 22 rooms in a dorm-style building. Each room has its own bathroom for up to six guests.

Ten log cabins hold up to 90 campers for a nofrills experience. Other accommodations hold smaller groups wanting more privacy.

Faith-based groups sometimes want to create their own worship services and programs, while others enjoy attending premade retreats. The Taconic Retreat Center encourages both with some spiritual-focused events throughout the year.

The center’s annual men’s retreat weekend happens in the fall. The annual youth retreat occurs each winter. Day retreats pepper the calendar, such as an anger management series and the Emotionally Healthy Discipleship retreat.

Taconic’s staff runs the men’s retreat and youth retreat programs; the day retreats occur in partnership with other organizations.

The building architecture

HALLOWED GROUND Though the Taconic Retreat Center owns 220 acres, the site uses only 95 acres. Last year, the center won the Environmental Conservation Award from the town of Milan for creating and preserving a wildlife sanctuary on the other 125 acres.

Groups can keep an eye out for birds and other wildlife while walking on the site’s hiking trails.

One trail wraps completely around Mirror Lake for a leisurely walk. Able-bodied hikers can climb the steep trail up to Mount Meredith’s peak. The resulting summit views prove worth the strain. On a clear day, hikers can see the surrounding Hudson Valley and Catskill Mountains. The spot is a popular place to sit back and contemplate the glory of God.

going on faith [ goingonfaith.com ] 41

JOIN US FOR A FAM TRIP TO LOUISVILLE IN MAY

WITH THE GROUP TRAVEL LEADER

H

ave you always wanted to experience the top attractions in Louisville, Kentucky? Are you looking for ways to learn more about trip possibilities in Louisville and have a great time doing it?

Do you have a few days to see Louisville firsthand in May? Would you like to spend a few days with executive staff of Going On Faith magazine while you’re at it?

If so, we have just the opportunity for you.

BRIAN JEWELL (BOTTOM LEFT) AND KELLY TYNER (BOTTOM RIGHT) WILL ACCOMPANY TRAVEL PLANNERS TO FAVORITE LOUISVILLE ATTRACTIONS, INCLUDING Louisville Tourism is inviting up to 20 A BOURBON DISTILLERY (TOP) AND THE FAMOUS CHURCHILL DOWNS (BOTTOM). of our travel planner readers to enjoy a fourday site inspection trip May 27-30, 2020.

Qualified travel planners will be guests of Louisville Tourism.

And once you get to Louisville, all your expenses are covered.

“Join Going On Faith magazine’s executive editor, Brian Jewell, and director of sales and marketing Kelly Tyner for this fun and educational site inspection trip to experience the best of Louisville,” said publisher Mac Lacy. “Brian and Kelly will Photos courtesy Louisville Tourism accompany our Louisville hosts on this trip and will be sharing their travel experiences with everyone in attendance.

“Brian and Kelly will be highlighting the trip in real time on social To submit your travel profile and request a spot on this exciting trip, go media, and Brian will write an article on this tour for publication in The to grouptravelleader.com/louisville-fam and fill out your profile online.

Group Travel Leader magazine,” said Lacy. “Tour participants will have To inquire by phone or to ask a question, call us toll-free at 888-253-0455 the opportunity to share their impressions and experiences about Louisville and ask for Kelly. with our staff and meet some wonderful hosts from the state. It’s going to Registration for this complimentary site inspection trip in Louisville be a lot of fun for everyone involved.” closes February 1, so don’t delay.

All accommodations, sightseeing, transportation and meals are included Join Brian, Kelly and Louisville Tourism for a wonderful trip May 27-30. once participants arrive in Louisville. No travel expenses to and from Louisville will be reimbursed.

This readership event and site inspection tour is limited to 25 qualified travel planners. Applicants will complete a brief travel profile that will be used by Louisville Tourism staff to select attendees.

42

going on faith [ winter 2019 ]

2020

M Y R T L E

B E A C H

Student Guide

2020

M Y R T L E

B E A C H

Student Guide

3

Restaurant

RESOURCES

4

Fun and GAMES

10

Showtime

FOR STUDENTS

Exploring

THE OUTDOORS

20 44

16

Educational EXPERIENCES

M

yrtle Beach is the destination that your youth and student travelers have been looking for.

Sixty miles of sandy shoreline should be enough to excite any group of young travelers.

But in the cities of the Grand Strand area, the beach is only the beginning. The popularity of Myrtle Beach and nearby communities has led to the creation of a tourism mecca with amusement, entertainment, shopping and outdoor thrills to keep groups busy for days.

Educators, youth leaders and others planning trips for young people will find various ways to make the most of the Myrtle Beach bounty. Nature, history and science abound in attractions throughout the area, giving trip organizers a wide menu of educational opportunities for their groups.

And the wealth of coastal areas and marshland habitats make for plenty of ways to enjoy a day exploring the great outdoors.

Manmade elements enhance the fun throughout the destination. Marquee attractions and amusement areas around town offer plenty of ways for young travelers to let loose and enjoy some high-energy thrills. And theater and entertainment venues throughout the area provide shows as well as backstage programs and performance opportunities for groups.

Peruse the pages of this magazine to get some ideas for your next youth and student group trip to Myrtle Beach. To make plans for your visit, contact Sandy Haines, group tour sales manager at the Myrtle Beach Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, at 800-488-8998 OR

SANDY.HAINES@VISITMYRTLEBEACH.COM.

PUBLISHED BY THE GROUP TRAVEL LEADER INC 301 East High Street Lexington, Kentucky 40507 888-253-0455 | www.grouptravelleader.com MYRTLE BEACH STUDENT GUIDE

M Y R T L E

B E A C H

Student Guide STUDENT GROUP RESTAURANTS

ANGELO’S STEAK & PASTA

GIANT CRAB SEAFOOD RESTAURANT

THE ORIGINAL BENJAMIN’S CALABASH SEAFOOD

9 5 97 N O R TH K I N G S H I G H WAY

9593 N O R T H K I N G S H I G H WAY

8 4 3 - 8 3 9 -2 2 9 2

Giant Crab offers over 170 items with a steam bar, Italian pasta station, fresh seafood, carving station with steaks cooked to order, soup, salad, Lowcountry favorites, Hibachi grill, dessert and kids bars. We offer competitive group rates, motorcoach parking and a meet and greet program.

843- 4 49 - 0821 The Original Benjamin’s Calabash Seafood is the largest restaurant in Myrtle Beach; it features 1,000 seats, 11 dining rooms and the largest collection of nautical antiques in the Southeast. Shrimp and grits, blackened grouper and tomato pie are just a few of the savory Southern-style options available at our famous buffet.

W W W.G I A N T C R A B .C O M

W W W.TH E O R IG I N A LB E N JA M I N S .C O M

HARD ROCK CAFÉ MYRTLE BEACH

THORNY’S 60 0 S O U T H K I N G S H I G H WAY

843- 626 -280 0 Welcome to Angelo’s Steak & Pasta, home of “The Greatest Steaks in the Universe” and the Grand Strand’s finest all-you-can-eat Italian buffet. All of our entrees and buffet are authentic family Italian recipes with our own personal touch.

Individual dining rooms for large groups available.

843- 946 - 0 0 07 After a day of exploring one of South Carolina’s great seaside gems, step inside the uniquely stylish NEW! Hard Rock Café. Our cuisine is All-American and features a wide variety of burgers, steaks and seafood along with fresh salads and delicious comfort foods such as Twisted Mac & Cheese with Chicken.

W W W. A N G E LO S TE A K A N D PAS TA .C O M

W W W. H A R D R O C K .C O M / C A F E S /

843- 4 48 -2333 Located in downtown Myrtle Beach, Thorny’s is the city’s top restaurant destination for food, sports and fun! With more than 50 televisions and satellite entertainment, mouth-watering appetizers and award-winning entrees, it’s the perfect place for your students to eat during a trip to Myrtle Beach. The menu features burgers, ribs, steaks and seafood, as well as great options for kids and craft beers for adults.

M Y R T L E - B E AC H

W W W.T H O R N YS .C O M

2311 S . K I N G S H I G H WAY

DAVE & BUSTER’S 1322 C E L E B R I T Y C I R C L E

843- 945 -350 0 Dave & Buster’s in the ultimate combination of Food and Fun! The food is always fresh and there’s always something new! From wings to New York strips, we’ve got it all. While dining, your group can also enjoy playing hundreds of state-of-the-art games or watch sports on tons of massive HDTVS. W W W. DAV E A N D B U S T E R S .C O M / L O C AT I O N S / M Y R T L E - B E AC H

1318 C E L E B R I T Y C I R C L E

MEDIEVAL TIMES DINNER & TOURNAMENT 290 4 FA N TA S Y WAY

888 -W E - J O U S T Medieval Times Dinner and Tournament transports guests to 11th-century Spain with a gripping live performance of sword fighting and jousting.

Guests feast on garlic bread, tomato bisque soup, roasted chicken, sweet buttered corn, herb-basted potatoes, the pastry of the Castle, coffee and two rounds of select beverages.

ULTIMATE CALIFORNIA PIZZA GAME ZONE 959 L A K E A R R O W H E A D R OA D

843- 4 49 -1160 Enjoy our high-energy games, then settle down for some of the best gourmet pizza the beach has to offer. Our menu offers a wide selection of specialty pizzas, build-your-own pizzas, fresh salads and sandwiches. We offer a buffet package for groups of 25 guests or more.

W W W.U C P G A M E Z O N E .C O M

W W W. M E D I E VA LT I M E S .C O M

VISITMYRTLEBEACH.COM

45

Waves OF fun

BY MOLLY PHILLIPS

F

or students of all ages, Myrtle Beach offers much more than powdery sand and salt-water-drenched memories. The Grand Strand’s 60-mile stretch of beaches is teeming with culture and entertainment.

With exciting attractions around every bend in the road, youth and student groups of all ages and sizes will find a trip to Myrtle Beach to be the experience of a lifetime, whether they’re riding waves at a water park or racing at full throttle on a larger-than-life go-kart track.

OCEANFRONT BOARDWALK AND SK Y WHEEL

Students can reach new heights at Myrtle Beach’s Oceanfront Boardwalk and Skywheel, where they can look down on the coastline from 200 feet above sea level. Other unusual attractions on the boardwalk include the Landshark Bar and Grill, the Fun Plaza Family Fun Center and the Gay Dolphin Gift Cove, which offers 26,000 square feet of memorable souvenirs. Group organizers will want to schedule their trip during the Boardwalk’s Sun Fun Festival, which features family games, a one-of-a-kind parade and more. With a gorgeous waterfront view, more than 15 restaurants and numerous attractions, the Oceanfront Boardwalk is a must-visit for student groups in Myrtle Beach.

S K Y W H E E L M B .C O M

M Y R T L E BE ACH PELICA NS

Home to the 2016 Carolina League champion Myrtle Beach Pelicans, Pelicans Ballpark was listed as a top ballpark by Baseball

46

America in 2009. At Pelicans Ballpark, visitors can learn about Myrtle Beach’s athletic history and create unforgettable memories by getting players’ autographs, having their birthdays announced and running the bases on the field. The 5,200-square-foot stadium offers free tours so students can see what goes on behind the scenes and on the field.

M I L B .C O M / M Y R T L E - B E A C H

BROA DWAY AT THE BE ACH

One of Myrtle Beach’s most popular shopping, dining and entertainment districts, Broadway at the Beach offers students an outing unlike any other. With some 26 attractions, 24 restaurants and 70 stores in one location, Broadway at the Beach offers something for every group member.

The Hollywood Wax Museum Entertainment Center features more than just lifelike sculptures. Multiple opportunities for family-appropriate fun include laser tag, mazes and “celebrity” photo-ops around every corner. From the jaw-dropping exterior design to the playful zombie-infested hallways, the museum provides students with fun trivia knowledge and exciting activities.

Also at Broadway at the Beach is a first-of-its-kind attraction: The Simpsons in 4D, which gives “fun” a new multidimensional definition.

Students will have a blast stepping into the world of the Simpsons, with moving seats, special effects and a real-life Kwik-E-Mart. They will even get the chance to try exclusive treats from the show, like Squishee Slushies and Lard Lad Donuts. Group leaders will enjoy this nostalgic experience just as much as their younger group members as they relive one of America’s favorite TV shows.

B R O A D W AYAT T H E B E A C H .C O M

MYRTLE BEACH STUDENT GUIDE

Entertainment ABOUNDS IN

MYRTLE BEACH

THE SUN SETS OVER SKYWHEEL AND OTHER ATTRACTIONS ON THE MYRTLE BEACH BOARDWALK. VISITMYRTLEBEACH.COM

47 Courtesy Skywheel Myrtle Beach

B F L A N D I N G .C O M

Courtesy Barefoot Landing

BA R EF OO T L A NDING

Full of Southern charm, Barefoot Landing features more than 50 specialty stores, 10 restaurants, eight attractions and a stunning view of the Intracoastal Waterway. With events year-round, there’s always something new and exciting for student groups to enjoy.

At Alligator Adventure, students experience some of the world’s most dangerous and beautiful animals in a fun and educational setting. Visitors see everything from bobcats and ostriches to snakes and various types of alligators. Groups can also take in live shows, where students have the opportunity to touch alligators and snakes, watch feedings and take photos.

Another wildlife favorite at Barefoot Landing is the Myrtle Beach T.I.G.E.R.S Nature Preserve. Guests can see rare and beautiful tigers at no cost; students also have the option to pay for an unforgettable photo encounter with the majestic cats.

M Y R T L E WAV ES

Guests can splash the day away at Myrtle Waves, South Carolina’s biggest water park. A great group outing destination, Myrtle Waves features 22 slides, as well as various pools and play areas. Students can zip down exciting waterslides like the Riptide Rockets and the Super Chute, or take a breather floating on the lazy river while enjoying scenic park views. At the Ocean in Motion Wave Pool, students can experience huge waves just like those in an ocean setting and then try to conquer them on their own at the FlowRider surf simulator.

M Y R T L E W A V E S .C O M

FUN AT BAREFOOT LANDING

WIL D WAT ER A ND WHEEL S

A sister park to Myrtle Waves, Wild Water and Wheels provides groups with a combination of wet and dry activities. From speed slides and slick go-kart racing to mat slides and mini golf, this park features activities for every age and level of risk-taker. Daredevils can try the Free Fall Cliff Dive, while competitive riders can take on the bumper boats challenge.

At Wild Water and Wheels, fun for the whole family is in no short supply.

W I L D - W AT E R .C O M

Courtesy Myrtle Beach Pelicans

FA MILY K INGDOM

At Family Kingdom, student groups will discover a whole day’s worth of fun and more. Guests will enjoy classic rides, including the carousel, the tilt-a-whirl and an epic wooden roller coaster — the Swamp Fox — that boasts gorgeous water views. Next door to Family Kingdom, Splashes Oceanfront Water Park offers water rides such as speed slides, water flumes and a lazy river. At both parks, students can enjoy delicious carnival eats, like cotton candy and funnel cake.

PELICANS BALLPARK

MYRTLE WAVES

F A M I LY K I N G D O M F U N .C O M

48

M Y R T L E B E A C H F A M I LY G O L F.C O M

Courtesy Duplin Winery

Courtesy Myrtle Waves

M Y R T L E BE ACH FA MILY GOL F

Award-winning miniature golf courses await groups at Myrtle Beach Family Golf. Guests can choose from five different themed golf adventures: Jungle Safari, Jurassic Golf, Dragon’s Lair, Shipwreck Island and Captain Hook’s, all of which feature a one-of-a-kind story experience with special effects and top-of-the-line animatronics characters. Groups receive a special rate on all the courses, some of which include picnic tables that can be reserved.

MYRTLE BEACH STUDENT GUIDE

BACKSTAGE ESCAPE GAMES

B A C K S TA G E E S C A P E G A M E S .C O M M Y R T L E B E A C H R O O M E S C A P E .C O M

MYRTLE BEACH FAMILY GOLF

Courtesy Myrtle Beach Family Golf

Want to get in on the escape room trend? Myrtle Beach offers the perfect opportunity to test these exhilarating and team-building activities.

Escape rooms give students the opportunity to work together through different puzzles with props, sounds and lighting that transport players into imaginary perilous situations.

At Backstage Escape Games, groups can choose from three rooms: The Legend of Atlantis, where obtaining five Atlantean Power Crystals is essential for the existence of humanity; Dark Winter’s Night, where groups are responsible for saving Christmas; and The Haunting of Hyde House, where a little girl needs help finding her most prized possession.

More exciting adventures await at Myrtle Beach Room Escape, where there are four different mysteries to solve. Players can travel through time and universes to solve mysteries at The Witch’s Castle, Bomb in the Theater, Walking Dead: Road to Survive and Jailbreak. Students won’t soon forget these brain-teasing experiences, which range from 20 to 60 minutes long.

Courtesy Backstage Escape Games

BACKSTAGE ESCA PE G A MES A ND M Y R T L E BE ACH ROOM ESCA PE

ITEM 170 SEAFOOD BUFFET

EXTENSIVE RAW BAR

Steaks Cooked to Order

DELICIOUS FRESH SEAFOOD

9597 N. Kings Hwy. Restaurant Row • Myrtle Beach

Pasta Station – Hibachi Grill – Kids Buffet

SUCCULENT PRIME RIB

Only 3 miles from Alabama Theater & 7 miles from Broadway At The Beach VISITMYRTLEBEACH.COM

843.839.2292

www.GiantCrab.com

49

Courtesy Family Kingdom

BACKSTAGE MIR ROR M A ZE

Backstage Mirror Maze is another exciting mental adventure. Featuring more than 2,000 square feet, this high-quality, walk-through attraction is full of mind-bending illusions, unexpected twists and tricky turns. With kaleidoscope glasses, guests can enjoy special rainbow light effects, which make the maze all the more exciting and colorful. At the Backstage Mirror Maze, getting lost is something to look forward to. And you can bet that your students’ photos coming out of the experience will be priceless.

FAMILY KINGDOM

B A C K S TA G E M I R R O R M A Z E .C O M

NIGHTM A R E H AUNT ED HOUSE

Founded in the 1980s, Nightmare Haunted House has been the East Coast’s scariest attraction for decades. The newest addition to this Myrtle Beach fixture takes students through the Zombie Zone on an undead adventure.

State-of-the-art props, highly believable actors and realistic costuming and makeup make this a must-visit location for all thrill-seekers and the zombie enthusiasts of your group. With over 4,000 square feet of lifelike horror, it’s no wonder tourists and locals alike consider it to be the most authentic haunted house experience in the area.

B E A C H S C R E A M .C O M

Courtesy Rockin’ Jump

BROA DWAY GR A ND PRI X

Students can let their competitive and daring spirits soar at the Broadway Grand Prix, the ultimate destination for all things thrilling. With over 12 attractions, this mini amusement park has something suitable for all ages.

Students can test their driving skills at any one of the seven go-kart tracks, soar through the air on the Sky Coaster, attempt holes-in-one at the 18-hole mini golf courses, bump their way to the top at the bumper cars and compete in the 20,000-square-foot arcade. At the Broadway Grand Prix, the fun is never-ending.

ROCKIN’ JUMP

B R O A D W AY G R A N D P R I X .C O M

THE T R ACK

This is go-karting like you’ve never karted before. At The Track, students can release their inner speed racer. Featuring two tracks designed with dynamic elevations and exhilarating routes, this family park is a local favorite. Groups of various ages can enjoy the tracks thanks to the single- and double-kart options available; the double karts allow younger riders to drive with an adult. Some other fun activities include bumper cars, mini golf and blaster boats. Inside, guests can find more than 50 arcade games.

BROADWAY GRAND PRIX

Courtesy Broadway Grand Prix

F U N AT T H E T R A C K .C O M / PA G E S / M Y R T L E - B E A C H - L O C AT I O N

ROCK IN’ JUMP

At Rockin’ Jump, student groups can burn some energy while having tons of fun. This indoor trampoline park offers activities for all ages, including an open jump arena, x-beam, a slam dunk zone, a ninja course, a stunt bag arena and dodgeball. From challenging obstacle courses to thrilling foam-cube pools, Rockin’ Jump not only energizes students physically, it also stimulates their minds as students conquer challenges that involve balance and problem solving. Rockin’ Jump’s newest expansion features a log roll, a fidget ladder, aerial silks and a warped wall, providing groups with even more opportunities to let their energy and creativity go wild.

R O C K I N J U M P.C O M / M Y R T L E B E A C H

50

MYRTLE BEACH STUDENT GUIDE

Ripley’s Attractions Ripley’s 5D Moving Theatre Experience a movie-going adventure like never before at the Ripley’s 5D Moving Theatre. Visitors can choose from two 5D films that use state-ofthe-art technology to stimulate the senses of sight, sound, motion and touch. With digital effects, motion seats and advanced technology, films aren’t just shows at this theater — they’re experiences.

Ripley’s Believe It or Not Ripley’s Believe It or Not two-story odditorium will show visitors things they’d never think they’d see in a fun, relaxed and family-friendly setting.

The bizarre facts and mind-boggling exhibits, such as shrunken heads and a six-legged cow, make this museum a one-of-a-kind experience for students.

Ripley’s Haunted House Not only is Ripley’s the go-to spot for all things weird and curious, but it’s also leading the way for innovation in the group activities industry. At the Ripley’s Haunted House Adventure, expect much more than just getting spooked. Students and adults can participate in the drama with the addition of laser combat. During this team-building activity, visitors save the day by coming together to fight against flesh-eating monsters in a 10,000-squarefoot arena.

Ripley’s Mirror Maze Getting lost in Ripley’s Marvelous Mirror Maze is a must-do group activity in Myrtle Beach. Students can challenge themselves to find their way out through a tricky labyrinth, specially designed with top-quality LED lights and infinity mirrors. This intricate maze’s unexpected twists make finding the exit all the more enjoyable, especially when exiting with photos that document the hilarious experience.

Photos courtesy Ripley’s Myrtle Beach

VISITMYRTLEBEACH.COM

51

NOW

Playing

BY MOLLY PHILLIPS

F

or today’s generation of smartphone-addicted teens, the word “theater” elicits either visions of the movie theater or a stuffy production attended only by adults. But in Myrtle Beach, students discover that theater as an art form — and a form of entertainment — transcends those preconceptions.

There is nothing like watching a young mind discover the magic of the theater. When you are in the same room with the artists who are delivering the show to you, you are no longer just watching a show. You are in it.

The following venues, which have become a vital part of the cultural fiber of the Grand Strand, offer scintilating year-round shows that can give any Marvel movie or video game a run for its money.

CAROLINA OPRY

The Carolina Opry theater opens its doors to as many as 2,000 guests almost every night of the week. Run by the Gilmore Entertainment Group, the venue has become one of the most prolific in the southern United States, for both its sheer size and beauty, and for the quality of entertainment it attracts. Whether groups want to be dazzled by magicians, sing along to old-time musical numbers or take in a breathtaking display of laser lights, the Opry has something for everyone.

The newest talent to call the Opry home is none other than Delvin Choice of NBC’s hit TV show “The Voice.”

The theater has ample free parking and offers student group-rate ticket pricing. If you have a group of artistically inclined youngsters, they can even rehearse and perform on the stage of the Opry before a production. Insider classes are also offered periodically for students wanting to learn more about the theater industry or hone their acting, dancing and musical skills. The Opry loves working with student groups to create custom experiences that are tailored to specific wants and needs.

T H E C A R O L I N A O P R Y.C O M

52

MYRTLE BEACH STUDENT GUIDE

Student groups LOVE THEATERS IN

MYRTLE BEACH

VISITMYRTLEBEACH.COM

STUDENT GROUPS ENJOY HIGH-ENERGY MUSIC, DANCE AND COMEDY AT THE CAROLINA OPRY.

53 Courtesy the Carolina Opry

“WICKED” AT ALABAMA THEATRE

Courtesy Alabama Theatre

Courtesy Carolina Opry

A STUDENT EXPERIENCE AT THE CAROLINA OPRY

PIR AT ES VOYAGE

What could be better for a child or teen than stepping into the pirate fantasy world? That’s exactly what they’ll do at Pirates Voyage. This immersive dinner theater experience is the perfect interactive production for even the most distracted of students. They’ll dine on pirate-themed homestyle food such as Buccaneer Bread, Cob O’Buttery, Pirate Herb-Basted Potato and Apple O’ My Eye Pie while enjoying an action-packed live show of pirate impersonators.

There will be dancing, there will be acrobatics, there will be singing — and yes, there will be plenty of “arghs” to go around. The stage is set atop a 15-foot-deep indoor lagoon. The talented cast of trained gymnasts, dancers and entertainers performs stunts and songs along the way.

Groups of 20 or more are eligible for special pricing. Shows often sell out, so book well in advance to ensure you get your desired showtime and seats.

P I R AT E S V O YA G E .C O M / M Y R T L E - B E A C H

A L A BA M A THE AT R E

The Alabama Theatre has been delivering Broadway-quality performances to Myrtle Beach visitors for more than two decades. Although the theater hosts a variety of rotating touring acts throughout the year, it is best known for its two staple productions: “One,” which runs from February to October, and “The South’s Grandest Christmas Show,” which goes live in November and runs through the holiday season. Both are fantastic productions for students to enjoy; they both feature a blend of modern and classic musical numbers punctuated by bits by legendary comedian Grant Turner portraying his onstage alter ego Ricky Mokel.

Like the Carolina Opry, the Alabama Theatre has a backstage tour that makes for a great hands-on learning experience for student groups. Students will be able to see up close all of the work that goes into producing just one show. For musical groups, there are also opportunities to perform on stage in advance of either of the theater’s core programs. Group rates are also available for tickets.

Courtesy Pirates Voyage

A L A B A M A -T H E AT R E .C O M

PIRATES VOYAGE

54

Courtesy Alabama Theatre

YOUTH ACTIVITIES AT ALABAMA THEATRE

MYRTLE BEACH STUDENT GUIDE

Courtesy Medieval Times

Courtesy Medieval Times

MEDIEVAL TIMES

MEDIE VA L TIMES

For students who are history buffs or “Game of Thrones” enthusiasts, Medieval Times is the closest thing to experiencing a jousting tournament. Stepping into the venue’s arena, guests are invited to dine with Queen Maria Isabella and her royal court. Guests can watch knights compete for the championship and have fun picking their favorite horse-mounted swordsman and cheering them on to victory.

Though no animals or people are harmed during the production, the horses are real, and the weaponry used by the stuntmen is designed with archaeological accuracy to duplicate medieval swords, lances and javelins.

Every show ticket comes with a four-course meal of garlic bread, tomato soup, roast chicken, buttered corn, potatoes, dessert, coffee and beverages.

Regularly scheduled performances occur at night, but for student groups, matinee options are available throughout the year at discounted rates. The student programming is accompanied by free educational materials to enhance students’ history learning before, during and after their day at Medieval Times.

M E D I E V A LT I M E S .C O M / P L A N -Y O U R -T R I P/ M Y R T L E - B E A C H - S C

VISITMYRTLEBEACH.COM

55

AN ELVIS TRIBUTE ARTIST AT LEGENDS IN CONCERT

Courtesy Legends in Concert

L EGEND S IN CONCER T

Tribute bands are a treat. Performers spend hours perfecting their acts, outfits and voices to sound just like the superstars they portray. Imagine having some of the best tribute artists all in one location, joining forces to bring you a musical montage unlike any other.

Welcome to Legends in Concert.

Headquartered in Las Vegas, Legends in Concert has a reputation worldwide for attracting some of the top entertaining talent in the tribute category.

Sing and dance along to your favorite tunes by the likes of Bruno Mars, Adele, Dolly Parton and more —you may even forget that the legends themselves aren’t the ones serenading you.

With a diverse array of acts dedicated to performers of today and yesterday, it’s a perfect opportunity for student groups to enjoy some of their current favorite artists while learning the musical legacy of the past. Children ages 3 to 16 also receive discounted tickets.

A STUDENT PERFORMANCE AT LEGENDS IN CONCERT

GT S THE AT R E

The GTS Theatre is known for its unique performances and intimate setting. If your student group is looking for something different, the GTS Theatre is for you. The theater’s smaller size allows for lots of interaction between the audience and the performers, and students will enjoy the organic banter that ensues. Some of the current acts on rotation include a magic and comedy show that will have students of all ages laughing; the “Motor City Musical,” a tribute to the musical greats of the Motown era; “Elvis Live in Myrtle Beach,” a tribute to “The King”; and a crowd-pleasing, gut-busting favorite, the “Dixie Family Comedy Variety Show — Redneck Style.”

All the programming at the GTS is suitable for families and students of all ages. Groups of 11 or more can save when booking together; group leaders and bus drivers get free admission. Matinee options are available to groups, making the GTS a change of pace from summer outings to the beach.

G T S T H E AT R E .C O M

ASHER THE AT R E

Courtesy GTS Theatre

Courtesy Legends in Concert

L E G E N D S I N C O N C E R T.C O M / M Y R T L E - B E A C H

56

GTS THEATRE

Investing in students is core to the mission of the Asher Theatre. Through workshops, regular programming and a semimonthly talent competition for students, the theater invests in the next generation of would-be musical aficionados. This mission stems directly from the theater’s leaders, James and Grace Stephens, who founded it to provide a bridge to the community and a welcoming space of entertainment and education for those visiting the Grand Strand.

The Asher Theatre has a diverse lineup of entertainers grace its stage each year. From comedians and dancers to theatrical performances, the managers select each performer to complement its family-friendly calendar and offer unique entertainment within Myrtle Beach’s catalog of theatrical venues.

MYRTLE BEACH STUDENT GUIDE

Student groups will have their pick from this array of shows, and thanks to the careful vetting of each act by the theater, there is no wrong choice.

The ultimate annual event for students at the Asher is its annual College Night. Also open to high school students, College Night features the famous Man of a Thousand Voices, who imitates everyone from Snoop Dog to One Direction in his routines. If groups are lucky enough to plan a trip coinciding with this once-a-year event, it’s a bonding and learning experience students will remember for the rest of their lives.

LE GRAND CIRQUE

A S H E R T H E AT R E .C O M

VISITMYRTLEBEACH.COM

Courtesy Le Grand Cirque

CIRQUEMB.COM

Courtesy Le Grand Cirque

BIG T OP T ENT AT M Y R T L E BE ACH

Twice a year, shows of epic proportion and daring feats come to Myrtle Beach under the big-top tent at a place known as Big Top Tent at Myrtle Beach. During the holiday season, the area becomes a frozen winter wonderland that surrounds a skating rink stage for “Christmas on Ice.” During the summer months, the big top plays host to Le Grand Cirque, a renowned production of acrobatics and stunts starring athletes from across the globe. Rooted in the circus traditions of Russia, China and Eastern Europe, the circus features a colorful cast that performs death-defying feats.

Le Grand Cirque is in Myrtle Beach June through September.

57

GO

L

play outside

BY MOLLY PHILLIPS

ong before Myrtle Beach’s theaters and attractions were founded, it had a natural magnetism that drew travelers to its sandy shores. The iconic 60 miles of beaches that make up the Grand Strand coastline are recognizable for their rolling dunes, soaring palmettos, powdery sands and plethora of wildlife.

For students, Myrtle Beach provides the perfect setting for a trip that balances indoor amusement with outdoor wonder. For beautiful scenery and unforgettable educational opportunities, plan to take your student groups to some of the area’s outdoor attractions.

MYRTLE BEACH STATE PARK

Flanked by the ocean on one side and lush maritime forests on the other, Myrtle Beach State Park is a playground for sun seekers and nature lovers. Early in the morning, residents and tourists alike line the iconic Myrtle Beach Pier catching local fish. If your students want to give it a go themselves, rods and lines can be rented for as little as $20 per day from the pier gift shop.

During the day, spend some time meandering the Sculptured Oak Nature Trail. Here you can find one of the last groves of maritime forest in South Carolina. The sea spray that permeates the air along coastal regions has a major impact on maritime forests, so you will see unique mixes of trees and shrubbery that thrive in this salty environment, such as sea oats, wax myrtle and beach olive.

For active student groups, biking, sea kayaking and other activities abound. In addition, the park is also open to equestrian trail riding.

Groups can set up rides through the park with Horseback Riding of Myrtle Beach.

S O U T H C A R O L I N A PA R K S .C O M / M Y R T L E - B E A C H

58

HUNTINGT ON BE ACH STAT E PA R K

Just south of Myrtle Beach State Park lies Huntington Beach State Park.

This marsh and shoreline is home to abundant wildlife, such as alligators and herons. The park also includes Atalaya, a home listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The home was originally a Moorish-style vacation haunt of the sculptor Anna Hyatt Huntington and her husband, Archer Huntington. Today, it is used for weddings and special events, but it can also be explored by students when they visit the park.

Student groups can incorporate the park’s Coastal Exploration Program into their trips. During this program, they explore the park with a certified naturalist. The programs are themed differently depending on the time of the year, but all include information about the park’s history and instructional teaching on outdoors skills such as kayaking, beachcombing and birding.

S O U T H C A R O L I N A PA R K S .C O M / H U N T I N G T O N - B E A C H

CA P T. DICK ’S AT THE CR A Z Y SIST ER M A RIN A SUNSE T A ND SE A LIF E CRUISES

Sunset and Sea Life Cruises is a small tour company operating out of Murrells Inlet, where there is access to both the open ocean and the interior canals of the Myrtle Beach area. Student groups can choose from a wide variety of experiences, including scenic sunset excursions and live

MYRTLE BEACH STUDENT GUIDE

THE GRAND STRAND

IS AN

Outdoor Paradise

YOUNG TRAVELERS WILL ENJOY THE UNSPOILED BEAUTY AND ABUNDANT ACTIVITY OPTIONS AT MYRTLE BEACH STATE PARK. VISITMYRTLEBEACH.COM

59 Courtesy Myrtle Beach State Park

HUR RICA NE F L EE T M A RIN A

If students want to try deep-sea fishing, there’s no better way than with the Hurricane Fishing Fleet, just north of Myrtle Beach in Calabash. Groups can choose from the Gulf Stream Fishing Cruise — a full day of sea fishing on the fleet’s largest vessel — or select a half-day or privately chartered cruises.

In addition to fishing, the company offers some of the area’s best dolphinwatching cruises. A professional naturalist is on board during each dolphin cruise to answer questions about aquatic wildlife.

Courtesy Blue Wave Adventures Dolphin Watch

music cruises. Among the most popular is the saltwater marsh tour, which provides hands-on education about one of the area’s more overlooked minibiomes aboard a covered pontoon boat.

BLUE WAVE ADVENTURES DOLPHIN WATCH

H U R R I C A N E F L E E T.C O M

ISL A ND TIME CRUISES

Think of Island Time Cruises as the seaborne version of Myrtle Beach’s many “dinner and a show” attractions. Whether they’re serving lunch, dinner or something in between, cruises feature delicious food and narration by expert local guides. Student groups can book during various times of day to fit their schedules and budgets.

I S L A N D T I M E - C R U I S E S .C O M

The Blue Wave Adventures Dolphin Watch crew knows its dolphins.

From decades on the water, the crew has named and recognizes more than 40 individual dolphins that call the waters of the Grand Strand home. On the only dolphin cruise in Myrtle Beach with 360-degree viewing, students will appreciate that no one gets stuck with a bad view. The experience includes plenty of photo opportunities with the majestic sea creatures leaping and playing in the background.

In addition to dolphins, students can see sharks, jellyfish, parrot fish, stingrays, hawks, pelicans and many of the other incredible species that call the waters of South Carolina home.

SEA KAYAKING IN MYRTLE BEACH

Courtesy Myrtle Beach Area CVB

BLUE WAV E A DV ENTUR ES DOLPHIN WAT CH

B L U E W A V E A D V E N T U R E S .C O M

CA P ’N ROD’S L OWCOUNT RY T OURS

Courtesy Crazy Sister Marina

CRAZY SISTER MARINA

60

Besides the emerald waters of the Atlantic, Myrtle Beach also has beautiful inland marshes, swamps and waterways that all play key roles in its ecosystem. Cap’n Rod and his crew are experts in the local flora, fauna and history, and a tour through the marshes on one of their boats will leave you with twice the knowledge you had when you came aboard. Students will love the engaging and hilarious tour guides, who relay history facts, point out landmarks and wildlife and even tell ghost stories.

L O W C O U N T R Y T O U R S .C O M

ISL A ND A DV ENTUR E WAT ER SP OR T S

If your student group includes thrill-seekers, take them to Island Adventure Water Sports. Students can rent a jet ski and race one another across the waves. Also popular with student groups are the company’s boat

MYRTLE BEACH STUDENT GUIDE

Courtesy Go Ape

Courtesy Huntington Beach State Park

HUNTINGTON BEACH STATE PARK

THE AERIAL OBSTACLE COURSE AT GO APE

excursions, where guests can work on their wakeboarding, wake-surfing, water-skiing and tubing skills.

For a more peaceful and slower pace on the water, there are kayaks and paddleboards available for rent. Smaller groups can also rent a pontoon boat and take the meandering vessel out for a private day on the water — great for youth group retreats.

VISITMYRTLEBEACH.COM

SOARING ABOVE THE WATER AT GO APE

A ZIP LINE AT RADICAL ROPES

Courtesy Radical Ropes

ROPE COURSES

Though Myrtle Beach will always be iconic for its oceanfront and inlets, the inland areas covered by the Appalachian foothills are just as beautiful in different ways. One of the best ways for students to explore the lush forests and rolling valleys is on a zip line One of the area’s most popular ropes courses is called Go Ape. Much more than a point-A to point-B zip line, Go Ape’s three-hour obstacle course in the trees has a series of challenges that will challenge students’ bodies and minds.

Radical Ropes has something for all levels of outdoor atheletes. Even small children can participate. Radical Ropes’ Kidzipz program allows for young students ages 4 to 8 to try zip lining in 30-minute increments. Grownups and teens can test their metal on a 70-foot-high climbing wall.

Part of WonderWorks at Boardwalk at the Beach, the Soar + Explore ropes course is one of a kind. Climbers are invited into a 40-foot-high suspended world that overlooks vistas of the boardwalk and lake below. There are 33 different challenges through which students can navigate their way together or on their own. End the day with a thrilling ride on the 1,000-foot zip line, the only one in Myrtle Beach that goes over the water.

Courtesy Go Ape

I S L A N D A D V E N T U R E W AT E R S P O R T S .C O M

61

Top OF THE class S

BY MOLLY PHILLIPS

tudent groups will have no shortage of fun during a trip to Myrtle Beach. But they’ll also find plenty of opportunities to learn something new.

At educational attractions throughout the Grand Strand area, young travelers will be inspired and educated as they discover the history, art and natural environment of coastal South Carolina.

RIPLEY’S AQUARIUM

First opened in 1997, Ripley’s Aquarium has been providing guests with unique experiences for more than two decades. With 85,000 square feet of oceanic exhibits, this can’t-miss Myrtle Beach attraction features a marvelous collection of sea creatures that keeps growing each year.

At Ripley’s, guests will find numerous animal exhibits, including stingrays, rainforest inhabitants, jellyfish and other extraordinary creatures. Its largest exhibit, the Dangerous Reef, lets visitors get close to snappers, tarpon, sharks, sawfish and more along a 340-foot-long glide path. Within the most recently opened exhibit, “Planet Jellies,” thousands of jellyfish surround guests as they become transported to a magical underwater world.

For students, Ripley’s Aquarium provides groups with an exciting educational outing. They can learn about how water gets filtered throughout the entire park in the Systems Control area. Most respond in awe and amazement when they discover how much water, electricity and care go into taking care of the animals. Aquarists are on hand and teach students about a variety of topics, among them conserving water at home and Ripley’s sea turtle rescue program.

R I P L E YA Q U A R I U M S .C O M / M Y R T L E B E A C H

62

WONDERWOR KS

According to its origin story, WonderWorks was a result of one of Professor Wonder’s experiments gone wrong on a remote Bermuda island.

The building was blasted into the air and landed upside down in Myrtle Beach. The quirky aesthetic, combined with exceptional scientific programming, makes this landmark a popular educational destination for student groups of all sorts. It’s a mix that WonderWorks has dubbed “edu-tainment.”

With more than 100 hands-on exhibits and interactive displays, the fun never stops at WonderWorks. Visitors can explore a Mercury capsule model at the Space Discovery Wonder Zone or become human lightning rods and be blown away by hurricane winds in the Natural Disasters Wonder Zone. There’s also Light and Sound, Imagination Lab and Far Out Gallery Zone for guests to let their creativity and curiosity free. In the 6D Extreme Motion Ride theater, up to 12 guests at a time can watch a film as the motion seats and special effects take guests on a one-of-akind adventure.

Students can test their physical abilities in the Soar + Explore zip line and ropes course, explore the enchanting glow-in-the-dark ropes course or burn off steam in the laser tag combat arena, which uses innovative technology to let students play in a fast-paced, interactive, black-lit maze setting.

W O N D E R W O R K S O N L I N E .C O M / M Y R T L E - B E A C H

BUR ROUGHS A ND CH A PIN A R T MUSEUM

Though the Burroughs and Chapin Art Museum first opened in 1997, its origins go back much further. A small group of dedicated art lovers conceived of the museum and worked for 13 years to establish it. Since then, it has developed and matured into the cultural landmark it is today.

MYRTLE BEACH STUDENT GUIDE

Myrtle Beach VENUES OFFER LEARNING EXPERIENCES

VISITORS ADMIRE THE COLORFUL MARINE LIFE AT RIPLEY’S AQUARIUM. VISITMYRTLEBEACH.COM

63 Courtesy Ripley’s Aquarium

Courtesy WonderWorks

Most recently, the museum won the Elizabeth O’Neill Verner Award for Outstanding Arts Organization for the state of South Carolina.

This attraction provides student groups with an invaluable opportunity to view modern works and step back in time to a variety of different artistic eras.

The museum also hosts community family days, where culture is celebrated through food, music, dance, crafts, performances, lectures, markets and displays. Before planning your trip, be sure to check the museum’s calendar and, if you can, visit during one of these stellar events. The museum’s educational youth programs allow students to creatively work in the museum’s own art studio.

WONDERWORKS

M Y R T L E B E A C H A R T M U S E U M .O R G

BROOKGR EEN G A R DENS

B R O O K G R E E N .O R G

HOP SE W EE PL A NTATION

Courtesy Ripley’s Aquarium

Once home to Thomas Lynch Jr., the 52nd signer of the Declaration of Independence, Hopsewee Plantation is full of historical nuggets of knowledge for students to discover. Not only will they observe and appreciate the decadesold exterior and interior design, but they will also learn about an important figure in Myrtle Beach’s history. All the while, they’ll be surrounded by inspiring greenery and calming woods, including the North Santee River vista.

Rice culture and basket weaving are two of the historical topics that groups will learn about during any visit. Basket weaving workshops teach students about the low country tradition brought by the slaves from West Africa in the 1700s, showing them how to coil grass strands to make beautiful, sturdy baskets — something so special that it can only be experienced in the modern day at Hopsewee Plantation.

At the River Oak Cottage Tea Room, groups can have English tea service with a Southern twist. If your visit includes the lunch hour, you’re in for a low country-inspired treat. Guests can dine on delicious Southern staples such as crab cakes, pimento cheese and biscuits, chicken fingers and fries, macaroni and cheese, shrimp and grits, gin-gin soup, caramel cake and honey almond creme brulee. With such an exquisite menu, a fascinating past, and a warm and wel64

coming ambiance, the most difficult thing about visiting Hopsewee Plantation with your student group will be getting them to leave.

H O P S E W E E .C O M

SOUTH CA ROLIN A H A L L OF FA ME

The South Carolina Hall of Fame is a nonprofit corporation that provides visitors with an opportunity to recognize extraordinary citizens, contemporary and past, for their contributions to South Carolina. Dedicated February 11, 1973, by Gov. John C. West, this landmark is inspiring to and has an impact on guests of all ages.

Eighty portraits and accompanying descriptions fill the halls, allowing groups to browse through South Carolina’s history through the lens of biographies. Inductees include those that were born in South Carolina or those that traveled to the state from elsewhere, making a life there. Inductees are from diverse industries: entertainment, the arts, the sciences, medicine, the military, civil rights, literature, education and more. Among better known inductees are King Hagler, one of the greatest Catawba chiefs; Septima Poinsette Clark, who played an integral role in the procurement of African American voting rights and civil rights; and Carlisle Floyd, an award-winning composer and librettist of opera.

The South Carolina Hall of Fame will inspire and motivate students to work hard at chasing their dreams.

T H E O F F I C I A L S C H A L L O F F A M E .C O M

HOR RY COUNT Y MUSEUM

Established in 1979, the Horry County Museum was created to collect and preserve the Grand Strand region’s history and culture. Through its efforts, the museum educates and inspires the public with exhibits, programs and more.

One of its most popular elements with student groups is the L.W. Paul Living History Farm, which features tours that allow guests to see what it was like in the everyday life of a Horry County farm family between the 1900s and the 1950s. A visit to the farm also makes for an excellent community Courtesy Duplin Winery

At Brookgreen Gardens, students can experience a harmonious blend of art, nature and history. Founded in 1931 by Archer and Anna Hyatt Huntington, this 9,247-acre landmark offers students an enriching outing unlike any other through comprehensive tours, programs and exhibits. Guests will get the opportunity to see the largest and most extensive assemblage of American figurative sculptures in the United States in a lovely garden environment with over 50 different plant species.

Students won’t be the only “wild” creatures present at the gardens. Your group can embark on one of the many tours available, such as Mother Nature’s Cafe, a 50-minute informative walk through the zoological portion of the attraction, where guests can observe animals in their natural environments.

For an immersive outing, Brookgreen Gardens offers the Zookeeper for a Day program, which allows students 12 years and older to see firsthand what it’s like to work with animals.

In the Children’s Discovery Room, interactive stations provide groups with activities such as crafting and historical lectures. At the “Whispering Wings Butterfly Experience” exhibit, students can explore a lush garden where various butterfly species flutter through the air gracefully. Before you leave, wander along the Children’s Nature and Sensory Trail, where there are nature sounds, thought-provoking questions, physical activities and storybook playhouses for kids to enjoy.

MYRTLE BEACH STUDENT GUIDE

H O R R Y C O U N T Y M U S E U M .O R G

CULTUR A L A R T S CENT ER

Plans are in the works in for a new cultural arts center in the Superblock area of Myrtle Beach. Spanning a piece of land now occupied by three different properties, the parcel would become a hub for performing arts.

The project is a partnership between the city of Myrtle Beach and Coastal Carolina University, with the latter hosting up to 30 live productions at the venue per year, as well as various exhibitions in the on-site art gallery.

A construction date has yet to be set for the project, but it could be underway and ready to open by late 2020. Student groups should keep an eye out for the new host of cultural offerings this venue will bring to the Myrtle Beach area.

VISITMYRTLEBEACH.COM

COLORFUL SCULPTURE AT BROOKGREEN GARDENS

Courtesy Brookgreen Gardens

service opportunity, as volunteers can participate in gardening, work on maintaining the historic site, help with the educational programs and more.

Inside the museum, reclaimed building materials, vintage photographs and authentic paintings produce an authentic historical experience. Popular exhibits cover Native Americans, Horry County beaches, local textiles and military history.

Once a year, the museum holds the Annual Quilt Gala, which involves displaying hundreds of hand-quilted pieces. If you are able, plan your group’s trip around one of the many events regularly scheduled throughout the year, such as the Quilt Gala, Farm Animal Days or Junior Curators, during which students can learn about and participate in farming activities as well as learn about hurricanes and how they affect the area.

Courtesy Borroughs & Chapin Art Museum

BORROUGHS AND CHAPIN ART MUSEUM

A RIVER OTTER ON THE GROUNDS OF BROOKGREEN GARDENS

65

Learn in Myrtle Beach

Fresh Itineraries | Diverse Accommodations | Live Entertainment | History & Nature Coastal Carolina Cuisine | Shopping Paradise | Southern Hospitality

800.488.8998 | MyrtleBeachGroups.com

ADVENTURE AWAITS IN LOUISVILLE Join Our Spring FAM Tour

Experience the colorful culture of Louisville in an unforgettable three-day FAM. Get an up-close look at one-ofa-kind attractions including the Kentucky Derby Museum and Churchill Downs. Plus, immerse yourself in an urban Bourbon experience unlike anywhere else in the world while getting a taste of our celebrated local food scene.

MAY 27 – 30, 2020 Space is limited RSVP date: February 1, 2020 Sign up now at grouptravelleader.com/louisville-fam

Bethany Beyond the

Jordan “I baptize with water,’ John replied, ‘but among you stands one you do not know. He is the one who comes after me, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie.’ This all happened at Bethany on the other side of the Jordan, where John was baptizing.” - The Gospel of John 1:26-28

Learn more about Holy Jordan and pilgrimages to Jordan at HolyJordan.com.

MyJordanJourney

@VisitJordan_NA

MyJordanJourney

@visitjordan