Going On Faith December 2015 January 2016

ON T H E M A G A Z I N E F O R FAITH-BASED TRAVEL PLANNERS VOL. 19 - NO. 1

DECEMBER 2015/JANUARY 2016

MAJESTIC

North Carolina FRENCH FLAVOR IN QUEBEC CITY

YOUTH TRAVEL D E S T I N AT I O N S STATE OF TH E

FAITH

TRAVEL INDUSTRY

going on faith [ goingonfaith.com ]

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G R E A T E R

O N T A R I O

C A L I F O R N I A

e r o l p x Meet, e ect n n o c d n a

Greater Ontario is excited to host the Going on Faith Conference in 2016!

Greater Ontario region boasts scenic mountains, deserts, vineyards and metropolitan areas that are both historic and cosmopolitan in character that make it Ideal for leisure and business travel. We look forward to welcoming you August 9 – 11 to Ontario, California. The Ontario International Airport lets you y right into the heart of Southern California. Registrations are now being accepted.

A state-of-the-art convention center, world class shopping, awe inspiring weather, access to over 6000 guest rooms. All waiting for you when the business day is done.

Meet, explore, connect in Greater Ontario, California. For more information on your next meeting experience, visit: discoverontariocalifornia.org/meetings 2000 E. Convention Center Way | Ontario, California 91764 909.937.3000 | 800.455.57.55 | info@ontariocvb.org

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[ DECEMBER 2015 | JANUARY 2016 ]

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

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16 20

STATE OF TH E

FAITH

Quebec City

Mountains to the Sea

Gorgeous Getaways

TRAVEL

Discover French heritage in North America.

This tour showcases the best of North Carolina.

State parks are perfect for church group vacations.

INDUSTRY

DEPARTMEN TS Columns

Spotlights

News

5 EDITOR’S NOTES: Holiday

10 HOW TO: Use Social

travel memories in the making

Media to Promote Your Trips

ON THE COVER: Snow blankets a cabin in the mountains of western North Carolina. Photo

by W. Britten.

6 GOING ON FAITH exhibits at Catalyst Conference 8 NEW PUBLIC ART BRIDGE debuts in Portland, Oregon

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Mac T. Lacy Founder and Publisher

Brian Jewell Executive Editor

Eliza Myers Online Editor

Charles A. Presley Partner

Herb Sparrow Senior Writer

Christine Clough Copy Editor

Donia Simmons Creative Director

Ashley Ricks Circulation

David Brown Art Director

Stacey Bowman Account Manager

Going On Faith is published bimonthly 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.

HOLI DAY

EDITOR’S

NOTES BRI AN J E WE L L

travel memories

I

had never been so cold before, and I hope I’ll never be so cold again.

It was December 2005, and I was on a weeklong tour through Bavaria in Germany. And I had not brought gloves.

I was a young travel writer, not long out of college, and had been invited to join a FAM tour through the region to experience Germany’s famous “kriskindlmarts” — open-air Christmas markets. I was excited to see Germany and explore the holiday traditions. But I was not prepared for the cold I would encounter there.

Since it was my first trip to Europe, I didn’t know that average highs during the daytime in Germany would be in the low 20s Fahrenheit. A quick Google search would have turned that information up easily, but I never even thought to look, a rookie mistake.

If my first mistake was one of meteorological ignorance, my second was one of cultural ignorance. Never having visited Europe, I didn’t realize how much of a visitor’s time there is spent on outdoor walking tours, as many trips to domestic destinations focus on museums, shows and other indoor attractions. And I did not realize how hearty, vigorous and determined a people the Germans tend to be.

So it was only a few hours into the first day of our tour that I realized that Germany was really cold and that we would spend most of our time there walking around outdoors. I did my best to warm my hands inside the thin pockets of my black leather jacket, but this was not enough to keep them warm.

Fortunately, a fellow traveler on the FAM

had packed an extra pair of gloves and, upon seeing how cold I was, he took pity on me and lent them to me for the rest of the week. I’m not sure how I would have made it through the week without that gesture of kindness.

Once I was properly dressed for the cold, I was able to fully enjoy the holidays in Bavaria.

This is the land of storybooks and fairy tales, and the Christmas celebrations there did not disappoint. The kriskindlmarts were alive with colors, scents and songs. Dozens of vendors filled the public squares, selling handmade trinkets, woodcarvings, toys, blown-glass Christmas ornaments and a variety of other goods. Festive shoppers warmed themselves around large bonfires and sipped hot chocolate and mulled wine. Carolers filled the air with traditional holiday music. In short, Christmas in Germany was picture-perfect.

Many travel groups slow down after fall and hunker down through the holidays and the winter, waiting for warmer weather to start traveling again. But for those willing to brave the cold — and savvy enough to bring the proper clothing — the holidays present some extraordinary travel opportunities.

Whether you pursue your own European Christmas adventure or visit one of the many destinations around the country that put on special decorations, performances and events for the season, holiday travel is always rich and meaningful. As you enjoy the Christmas season at home, I encourage you to think about planning a special holiday trip for your group next year. Just don’t forget your gloves.

Merry Christmas from all of us at Going On Faith!

BRIAN JEWELL [ EDITOR ] brianj@grouptravelleader.com

going on faith [ goingonfaith.com ]

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NEWS WORTHY Louie Giglio, pastor, author and founder of the Passion movement, addresses Catalyst attendees.

GOING ON FAITH ENROLLS NEW READERS AT CATALYST ATLANTA — More than 8,000 next-generation church leaders gathered in Atlanta, October 8-9, for Catalyst, a leadership conference that has become one of the pre-eminent annual events in the evangelical community. Going On Faith magazine, as well as several other faith-based travel organizations, attended and exhibited at the conference.

Catalyst was launched in 1999 by a number of leaders from various evangelical denominations. Among key founders was Andy Stanley, senior pastor at Atlanta’s North Point Community Church and son of famed preacher Charles Stanley. The conference targets what it calls “Catalyst leaders”

— anyone who loves the local church and wants to see it grow.

Each year’s conference includes presentations from Andy Stanley and a variety of other Christian thought leaders. The 2015 edition included addresses from Louie Giglio, author and pastor of Passion City Church, as well as Christian rapper Trip Lee and Charity:Water founder Scott Harrison.

John Maxwell, a legendary pastor, communicator and leadership teacher, made a surprise on-stage appearance as well.

The conference attracted a wide variety of church representatives, including senior pastors, associate pastors, youth pastors, volunteer lay

All photos courtesy Catalyst

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going on faith [ december 2015 | january 2016 ]

UNIVERSAL ORLANDO RESORT TO OPEN THIRD PARK ORLANDO, Florida — Universal Orlando Resort has announced that a new water theme park, Volcano Bay, will join Universal Studios Florida and Universal’s Islands of Adventure as the resort’s third park.

Set to open in 2017, Universal’s Volcano Bay will be located just south of the Cabana Bay Beach Resort.

Work is already underway, and more details will be released in the future. www.universalorlandoyouth.com

leaders and ministry students. With so many influential attendees, the event also included dozens of top-tier sponsors and exhibitors such as Compassion International and LifeWay Christian Resources. Travel industry exhibitors included a number of tour operators, the Jordan Tourism Board and the Israel Ministry of Tourism.

Going On Faith signed on as a sponsor as well, and executive editor Brian Jewell attended the conference on the magazine’s behalf.

“We’re really focusing on reaching the next generation of church leaders with the power of faith-based travel, and the audience at Catalyst represented just those sort of people,” Jewell said. “I met hundreds of church leaders and discussed the role that travel plays in their ministry.

“Many of the leaders I spoke with had either traveled to the Holy Land or were very interested in doing so. Others expressed interest in learning more about missions opportunities, church retreats, youth travel or fellowship vacations — the exact subjects that we cover in Going On Faith.”

Several dozen Catalyst attendees registered for subscriptions to Going On Faith and have been added to the magazine’s circulation.

All photos courtesy Catalyst

More than 8,000 young church leaders from across the eastern United States attend Catalyst in Atlanta.

going on faith [ goingonfaith.com ]

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PORTLAND BRIDGE LIGHT DISPLAY CONTROLLED BY RIVER CONDITIONS PORTLAND, Oregon — Portland’s largest public art display debuted in September with the opening of the new Tilikum Crossing bridge and its dynamic nightly illumination.

Officially titled “Tilikum Light: An Illuminating Conversation between a River and a Bridge,” the light display is the only aesthetic art feature in the country to be controlled by river data.

One hundred seventy-eight LED lights shining along the bridge’s 1,700-foot span shift in movement and color based on conditions in the Willamette River collected in real-time by the United States Geological Survey.

The base color varies with water

Portland’s Tilikum Crossing bridge is both transportation infrastructure and public art.

temperature and season, while a second color’s vertical movement along the bridge’s four towers and 40 cables responds to the river’s height.

Additionally, the pace of color movement ebbs and flows with the river’s speed. Powered by renewable energy, the permanent lighting display activates each evening at dusk.

The bridge carries TriMet’s light rail trains, Portland Streetcars, buses, bicycles, pedestrians and emergency vehicles, but private cars and trucks are not permitted. It is the first new bridge built across the river in the Portland metropolitan area since 1973. www.travelportland.com

Courtesy Travel Portland

HEARD MUSEUM TO EXPAND INDIAN SCHOOL DAYS EXHIBIT PHOENIX — The Heard Museum plans to expand “Remembering Our Indian School Days: The Boarding School Experience,” which opened in 2000 in the east gallery of the museum.

The exhibit will be expanded and reinterpreted as a long-term exhibit documenting the experiences of tens of thousands of American Indian youth in federal boarding schools after receiving a $60,445 planning grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities.

The funding will also pay the cost of setting forth plans for creating a traveling exhibition that will be sent to other museums around the country, two smaller traveling panels exhibits to be used locally, and publication of a catalog that would study the experience of those attending boarding and tribal schools between the late 19th century and today.

The exhibit, originally planned as a three-year exhibit, has remained popular with audiences since it opened 15 years ago. www.heard.org 8

going on faith [ december 2015 | january 2016 ]

CEDAR RAPIDS TO MARK GRANT WOOD’S 125TH BIRTHDAY CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — In 2016, Cedar Rapids will celebrate Iowa artist Grant Wood’s 125th birthday with approximately 30 to 40 life-size fiberglass statues depicting Woods’ iconic farmer and daughter “American Gothic” painting displayed around town from May through September.

The painting, one of the most familiar images in 20th-century American art, was painted at 5 Turner Alley in Cedar Rapids.

Local artists will create unique designs on each of the statues. Print and digital maps will direct visitors to their locations.

In conjunction with the celebration, the Cedar Rapids Museum of Art, which houses the largest collection of Grant Wood works in the world, will celebrate Wood’s and Marvin Cone’s 125th birthdays with a special exhibition titled “Grant Wood and Marvin Cone: Barns, Farms, and America’s Heartland.”

The two artists began their lifelong friendship in Cedar Rapids, attended high school together and were an active force in the Stone City Art Colony. The exhibit will focus on their shared interest in Iowa’s rolling countryside, farms and the people who inhabit them.

It will run February 6-May 15, 2016. www.cedar-rapids.com

Statues throughout Cedar Rapids will celebrate the classic painting “American Gothic” this spring.

Courtesy Cedar Rapids CVB

going on faith [ goingonfaith.com ]

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P RO M OT E YO U R T R I P S O N S O C I A L M E D I A

I

by

BRIAN JEWELL

t’s no exaggeration to say that social media, coupled with the ubiquity of smartphones, has changed how the world works.

If it hasn’t changed how you plan and promote group travel, you’re missing out on some big opportunities.

Though it was first the domain of young people, social media has become popular among Americans of all generations, and it offers some fantastic tools for travel planners. From advertising your trips before they begin to entertaining your travelers throughout and sharing memories after, social media gives you opportunities to connect with people in ways that traditional media never have.

Here are five tips for making the most of social media in your travel program.

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going on faith [ december 2015 | january 2016 ]

1)

‘BUZZ’ YOUR MARKETING. Beautiful photos, witty remarks and exciting news make the rounds in social media with lightning speed. Smart salespeople use this to their advantage, implementing “buzz marketing” campaigns that are built around clever social media releases. You can do this same thing to build interest in your group or your trip: Publish a gorgeous travel photo or a preview of an upcoming trip to your Facebook, Twitter or Instagram account, and you can quickly grab the interest of potential customers. And if you encourage those travelers to interact with you online during a tour, the buzz from your travel activities can spread through their friend networks as well.

BUZZ FACEBOOK WHAT IT DOES:

2)

BUILD YOUR GROUPS. If you don’t already have a Facebook group or fan page put together for your church travel program, you should start one right now. These features give you a way to connect and communicate with your members without having to fight for attention in their email inboxes, physical mailboxes or telephone voicemail boxes. And if your travelers are frequent Facebook users, you should also consider putting together smaller group pages for specific trips, which will allow you to build a sense of camaraderie among travelers even before the trip begins.

Considered the first widespread social network in the world, Facebook remains the most popular; it can be used for sharing media, circulating articles, contacting friends, organizing groups and a host of other functions.

WHO USES IT: Facebook has the world’s widest user base and a strong multigenerational appeal. Most boomers and senior citizens who use social media do so with this platform. And though it also has younger users, Facebook has lost some of its appeal among millennials and teens.

HOW TO USE IT FOR TRAVEL: Facebook offers

BUILD

the ability to create private groups of friends, which you can use to share news updates, photos and many other things. Setting up a Facebook group for your travel group is an excellent way to promote your upcoming trips and keep members apprised of travel details and upcoming events.

UPDATE

3)

UPDATE FRIENDS AND FAMILY When people travel, especially internationally, their friends and family back home can be anxious to know how the trip is going and to be reassured that their loved ones are safe. Social tools allow you to update people back at home in real time and keep them in the loop about what the group is doing. A quick tweet or Facebook post to say that the group arrived at the destination safely will go a long way to reassure nervous family members at home, and a steady stream of photo posts throughout the trip might even make those homebodies wish they had come along.

PLAY GAMES

TWITTER WHAT IT DOES: Twitter allows its users to broadcast their thoughts and messages to the entire world, but they must do so in short bursts of text that can be no more than 140 characters long. Whereas Facebook posts can only be seen by a user’s friends, all Twitter posts are automatically public.

WHO USES IT: Twitter has proven to be the platform of choice for public figures, who use it to connect to their followers and fan bases. It is popular with millennials, young professionals and people who want upto-the-minute updates on news, sports and other events.

HOW TO USE IT FOR TRAVEL: Twitter posts, or “tweets,” are broadcast in real time, so they are a great way to publicize the sights you see and the photos you take while traveling.

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4)

PLAY SOCIAL GAMES. Many group leaders use games to keep passengers entertained during long stretches of travel, and those games have traditionally involved pencil and paper. But smartphones and social apps have the potential to change all that. With some creativity, you can use social media to arrange photo contests, scavenger hunts and other social games to engage your travelers. Offer a prize to the first person on the trip who responds to your tweet or who correctly identifies a place you’ve photographed on the trip. In addition to entertaining your travelers, these games will also publicize your activities to your followers and theirs.

INSTAGRAM WHAT IT DOES:

Unlike other social networks, Instagram exists solely for the purpose of sharing photos and videos, although users can attach captions to their images. It is used almost exclusively on smartphones.

2016

All Shows On Sale Now!

WHO USES IT: Instagram is emerging as the platform of choice for millennials and their younger siblings, who dislike the political rants and endless debates that often dominate Facebook and Twitter.

HOW TO USE IT FOR TRAVEL: Because Instagram revolves around images, it is a good place to post photos from your trips, especially if you hope to encourage younger travelers to join you on the road.

5)

SHARE SEAMLESSLY. One of the greatest powers of social media is instant, on-the-go media sharing. You and your travelers can post photos and videos from the road with a swipe of a finger or a click of a button. If you’ve set up a group page for your trip, it allows travelers to share their favorite memories from the trip with all of the participants, eliminating the need for clumsy email exchanges and promises to trade pictures. And if you encourage an active culture of tagging, sharing and commenting on media that people share, you can keep people talking about a tour and engaged with one another long after the trip ends, one of the primary purposes of church travel.

SHARE Superb Musicals | Memorable Dining Family Hospitality | Spectacular Shops 1131 Janesville Ave, Fort Atkinson, WI 53538 _ ZZZ ÂżUHVLGHWKHDWUH FRP going on faith [ goingonfaith.com ] 13

TRAVEL

SNAPSHOT

by GA B I LO GA N

AN OLD FRIEND IN NEW FRANCE Waterfall at Chute-Montmorency park

QUEBEC CITY

— decorative doors in the church periodically opened as a symbolic act of celebration — December 12 through November 20, 2016, in line

T

hough it currently has a population of just

Augustine nuns opened our first hospital, but also

with Pope Francis’ declaration of 2016 as a jubilee

over 500,000 compared to Montreal’s more

the military history,” said Nancy Dacres, account

year. The basilica’s Holy Doors are the only ones

than 1.6 million, Quebec City is the capital

executive for Quebec City Tourism. “A new hop-

outside Europe and one of only seven sets in the

of the region of Quebec thanks to its long history

on/hop-off bus service has recently started, and

world.

as the capital of New France. The city of Quebec

in the summer, it’s double-decker.”

One of the highlights of a group visit to Quebec

officially dates back to 1608, when it was founded

This year, groups have two special new oppor-

City, according to Dacres, is simply allowing time to

by Samuel de Champlain, but the site was first

tunities to experience Quebec City’s religious

take in life in Old Quebec, which is listed on

settled in 1535, more than 50 years before the

history. The original Augustine monastery and

UNESCO’s World Heritage List. “In the summer

establishment of “The Lost Colony” at Roanoke.

hospital, which dates back to 1639, reopened in

months, with the outdoor cafes, you can take in not

“You need to do a city tour to understand the

August as a 65-room hotel and holistic health

only the history and the beauty of the city, but also

city’s history, not only related to the Roman

center named Le Monastère des Augustines.

the laid-back attitude of the outdoor cafes,” she

Catholic religion, which played a very important

Nearby, the more than 350-year-old Basilica of

said. “It’s a lovely quality of life here, and we enjoy

role in the development of Quebec City, as

Notre-Dame de Québec will open its Holy Doors

life as much in the winter as in the summer.”

By Yves Marcoux All photos courtesy Quebec City Tourism

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going on faith [ december 2015 | january 2016 ]

Cathedral Basilica of Notre Dame

[ MONTMORENCY FALLS AT THE PARC DE LA CHUTE-MONTMORENCY ]

By Yves Tessler, Tessima

Just a 10-minute drive north of the city along the shores of the St. Lawrence River is Montmorency Falls, which is nearly 100 feet taller than Niagara Falls. Active groups can step up their visit to the park by arriving by bike along the Corridor du Littoral from the city center, by zip lining 984 feet across the face of the falls in summer or by ice climbing the frozen rock faces adjacent to the falls in the winter.

In winter, groups can catch the “sugar loaf” phenomenon, a cone of ice that forms at the base of the falls from its splashes. A year-round cable car that can accommodate 40 people at a time links the bottom of the falls at the St. Lawrence River with the upper falls vantage point.

WWW.SEPAQ.COM/CT/PCM

[ BASILICA OF NOTRE-DAME DE QUÉBEC ]

Chateau Frontenac in winter

Today’s basilica occupies the same site as the city’s first chapel, constructed by Samuel Champlain himself in 1633. The basilica once served as the mother parish to all churches in the United States and Canada, and its status as a basilica dates back to 1874, when it was the first church north of Mexico to be designated as such.

The Corporation du Patrimonie et du Tourism Religieux de Québec offers groups private tours of the basilica and its crypt and museum, as well as tours that combine Notre-Dame and the adjacent Anglican cathedral, Holy Trinity.

WWW.SANCTUAIRESQUEBEC.COM

[ FORTIFICATIONS AND CITADEL OF QUEBEC ]

By Camirand Photo

Quebec City is the only city north of Mexico to retain its historic city walls, and they saw so much action during the colonial period when the city changed hands between the French and the British that many parts, including the photogenic Porte St. Jean and Porte St. Louis, have been rebuilt at least twice since the walls went up in 1694.

After walking the ramparts, groups can opt for the regular one-hour tour of La Citadelle, which includes the changing of the guard over the summer, or request a custom religion-oriented tour that includes access to the chapel, typically off-limits to the public. During the summer, 90-minute night tours by lantern are also available.

WWW.LACITADELLE.QC.CA Basilica of Sainte-Ann-de-Beaupre

By Yves Tessler, Tessima

[ BASILICA OF SAINTE-ANNE-DE-BEAUPRE ] Before it was even completed, the Basilica of Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupre, dedicated to the grandmother of Jesus Christ, is said to have granted miracles of healing to those who visited it. The current cathedral entrance is flanked by pillars composed of crutches and canes left by visitors who felt so healed by their visits to the shrine that they no longer needed them.

Thanks to the influx of nearly 1 million visitors each year, the basilica complex has expanded to include a museum, a restaurant, an inn and a campsite, so groups can easily spend an entire day and night or two taking in the site.

WWW.SANCTUAIRESAINTEANNE.ORG

going on faith [ goingonfaith.com ]

STATE O F

F A I T H

#1 AS HEVILLE

LEGENDS OF

North Carolina Courtesy Biltmore Estate

Clockwise from top: Biltmore Estate; Wright Brothers National Memorial; Field of Honor at Fort Bragg Courtesy Fayetteville NC CVB

Courtesy Outer Banks CVB

#5

CH AR LOT TE

OU TE R BA N K S

# 1 ASHEVILLE ]

#2

[ DESTINATION

HIGHLIGHT | AN AMAZING ESTATE

#3 FAY E T TE VI L L E

#4

M by

W I L MI N G TON

B RI A N JE WE LL

ovie stars, ministers, millionaires and military: To travel through North Carolina is to walk in the footsteps of giants.

The Tar Heel State has been shaped by extraordinary men and women whose legacies still resonate in its cities and towns today. From the mountains in the west to the beaches of the east, this state holds fascinating stories of people whose impact has gone far beyond North Carolina’s borders.

This tour highlights the big personalities and big dreams that took root in North Carolina. It begins in Asheville and continues to Charlotte, Fayetteville, Wilmington and the Outer Banks, although it could just as easily run in reverse. Plan a minimum of five days to make the trip, or a week if you want to dive deeper into the destinations or spend more time in certain cities.

Billy Graham Library during the holidays

Courtesy Billy Graham Evangelistic Assoc.

In the western reaches of North Carolina, Asheville has become one of the state’s most popular tourist destinations. Some people come to enjoy the artsy ethos, and others seek out the scenic beauty of the surrounding Blue Ridge Mountains. But nearly everyone who visits Asheville makes a point of seeing the Biltmore Estate.

Built by George Washington Vanderbilt III and completed in 1895, Biltmore is one of the most striking historic mansions in the country.

Among the home’s 250 rooms are 34 bedrooms, 42 bathrooms, 65 fireplaces, three kitchens, an indoor swimming pool and a bowling alley. After 35 years as a private home, the Biltmore House opened to the public in 1930.

Today there are a variety of tours of the massive estate, including overview tours, tours of the servants quarters and tours that offer behind-the-scenes views of areas of the house not often seen by the public. Groups that visit the estate can also enjoy 250 acres of gardens, shop or dine at Antler Hill Village, and take a tour and do a tasting at the Biltmore Winery.

W H I L E Y O U ’ R E T H E R E : Downtown Asheville is packed full of great local restaurants that reflect the city’s progressive and experimental attitude. Asheville Food Tours offers a great walking tour showcasing local restaurants, chefs and food purveyors.

MORE

|

INFO

WWW.EXPLOREASHEVILLE.COM

[ DESTINATION

# 2 CHARLOTTE ]

HIGHLIGHT | A LEGEND OF FAITH

In the central part of the state, Charlotte has become one of the foremost metropolises of the South and is a national leader in the banking and technology industries. But for faith-based groups, the largest draw in the area lies on the outskirts of town at the Billy Graham Library.

Built and administered by the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, the Billy Graham Library tells the life story of America’s most famous preacher.

Visitors learn about Billy Graham’s childhood and family life, his early years in ministry and the series of evangelistic crusades for which he became famous. Along the way, exhibits display artifacts from his career and many of the gifts he received from dignitaries worldwide.

The library isn’t just a tribute to the Graham family, though; at Graham’s insistence, each tour of the library includes a presentation of the gospel and an opportunity for visitors to respond to the message.

WHILE YOU’RE THERE: NASCAR got its start in North Carolina, and today the NASCAR Hall of Fame in Charlotte gives visitors a detailed look at the sport that has become one of the most beloved in the country. Visitors see numerous historic race cars and hear stories of the teams that raced them to victory..

MORE

INFO

|

WWW.CHARLOTTESGOTALOT.COM

going on faith [ goingonfaith.com ] 17

[ DESTINATION

# 3 FAYETTEVILLE ]

HIGHLIGHT | JOIN THE ARMY

About 135 miles east of Charlotte, Fayetteville has carved out a niche as one of the most patriotic destinations in the country. The city bills itself as the unofficial home of the Army, thanks to the proximity of Fort Bragg, one of the largest Army bases in the United States.

Groups that visit Fayetteville often go to Fort Bragg, where step-on guides offer half-day and full-day tours. In addition to seeing sights around the base and visiting the 82nd Airborne Division War Memorial Museum, participants can have a number of up-close and interactive experiences with soldiers. Options include parachute packing with Aerial Delivery and Quartermaster Rigger, a question-and-answer session with members of the Golden Knights parachute team and an airborne jump demonstration at Sicily Drop Zone.

Tours of the base are available Tuesday through Thursday and require advance reservations. The Fayetteville Area Convention and Visitors Bureau can assist group leaders in making these arrangements.

WHILE YOU’RE THERE: Learn more about military history at the Airborne and Special Operations Museum. The self-guided tour walks visitors through more than 70 years of airborne service and special operations history.

MORE

INFO

|

WWW.VISITFAYETTEVILLENC.COM

[ DESTINATION

# 4 WILMINGTON]

HIGHLIGHT | HISTORIC HOMES

After driving southeast for about 90 minutes from Fayetteville, groups will arrive in Wilmington, a town near the Atlantic Coast that is famous for its historic charm. At the heart of this is the 230block National Register Historic District, which features many hundreds of beautiful historic homes.

Many of the homes in the district are still private residences, but some of the most impressive mansions in town now serve as house museums, where visitors can see beautiful architecture and learn about early citizens of Wilmington and how they shaped its future.

One of the oldest, the Burgwin-Wright Museum House, was built around 1770 and features classic Colonial architecture and period lifestyle demonstrations.

Wilmington also has a pair of mansions from the middle of the 19th century. The Latimer House Museum was built in 1852 and features Victorian period furnishings and artwork. Another antebellum home, built in 1859, now serves as the Bellamy Mansion Museum of History and Design Arts.

WHILE YOU’RE THERE: Wilmington’s historic charm, scenic surroundings and Southern friendliness have made the area a popular setting for film and television production. The town has served as the backdrop for such shows as “Dawson’s Creek” and “One Tree Hill,” as well as a number of feature films, and local companies offer tours of filming sites around town.

MORE

INFO

|

WWW.WILMINGTONANDBEACHES.COM

A division review at Fort Bragg

Fort Bragg’s Independence Day celebration Photos courtesy Fayetteville NC CVB

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going on faith [ december 2015 | january 2016 ]

Wilmington Trolley Company

Billiy Graham Library

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OUTER BANKS ]

HIGHLIGHT | FIRST SETTLERS

On the northeastern edge of the state, North Carolina’s Outer Banks are a 200-mile-long stretch of barrier islands in the Atlantic Ocean.

Many vacationers flock to the area to enjoy the pristine beaches and natural beauty of the islands. But the Outer Banks also has a story to tell about some of America’s first settlers.

In 1585, Sir Walter Raleigh and a group of settlers arrived on Roanoke Island and established the first English settlement in the New World. The 166 settlers later disappeared, earning Roanoke the name “the Lost Colony.” At Fort Raleigh National Historic Site, groups can see where these early settlers lived. The site also has information and programming detailing the roles Native Americans, European settlers and African slaves played in the area until the Civil War. For more of the story, many groups attend a performance of “The Lost Colony.” Celebrating its 29th year in 2015, this production is the longestrunning outdoor drama in the United States and recounts the events leading up to the disappearance of the Roanoke colony.

WHILE YOU’RE THERE: The Wright Brothers made history on the Outer Banks in 1903 when they achieved the world’s first powered flight for 12 seconds on the beaches of Kitty Hawk. The Wright Brothers National Memorial preserves the site of this first flight and has a museum with a replica of the 1903 Wright Flyer.

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Courtesy Biltmore Estate

Dining at Biltmore Estate

Courtesy Billy Graham Evangelistic Assoc.

U.S.S. North Carolina

WWW.OUTERBANKS.ORG

Horseback riding in the Outer Banks

“The Lost Colony”

Photos courtesy Outer banks CVB

Courtesy Wilmington and Beaches CVB

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S tat e T r e a s u r e s THESE STATE PARKS ARE PRIME SPOTS FOR OUTDOOR EXPLORATION

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E L IZ A B E TH HE Y

DA N DI CKSON

tate parks are the pride of every state in the nation.

More than 7,000 of these sites host more than 720 million annual visits by nearby residents and out-of-state tourists alike. They come for abundant activities and sightseeing opportunities.

These parks are special because of their unique natural, historical, cultural, recreational and environmental features.

Here are a handful of outstanding state parks that are popular with groups year after year.

Visitors flock to the cascades at Georgia’s Amicalola Falls State Park.

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Courtesy Georgia State Parks

[ CUSTER STATE PARK ] CUSTER , SOUTH DAKOTA The American Plains were once home to millions of them. Today, there aren’t too many places left where you can see the American buffalo. But Custer State Park, located in the southwest corner of South Dakota, is one of the best.

“The No. 1 thing we’re noted for is our buffalo herd,” said Craig Pugsley, the park’s visitor services coordinator. “We have 1,300 head of free-roaming buffalo.

They’re very visible on most days over our 71,000 acres.” There’s a buffalo roundup each September that is a tourist draw itself.

The park is also known for its four lodges that offer comfort and beautiful views of the park and its lakes. “There are many group travelers here, mainly by motorcoach, and family reunions, too,” said Pugsley. “There is State Game Lodge, a historic place where two former presidents [Coolidge and Eisenhower] stayed.

It’s on the National Register of Historic Places.”

Sylvan Lake Lodge overlooks the first man-made lake constructed in the Black Hills, Blue Bell Lodge has a mini dude ranch with horses and a chuckwagon, and Legion Lake Lodge is being completely rebuilt and enlarged and will be ready next summer.

Numerous weddings are performed and special events staged in the park. A new pavilion at State Game Lodge can accommodate 300 people. The park has nine campgrounds and a variety of cabins. They are usually occupied all season long by church and scout groups and families.

“Custer State Park is a vacation and recreational paradise and one of the most beautiful spots you’ll find in the Black Hills,” said Pugsley. www.custerresorts.com [ MOUNT MAGAZINE STATE PARK ] PARIS, ARKANSAS If a group wants to get way above it all but with their feet firmly on the ground, Mount Magazine State Park in northwest Arkansas is a great option.

“We’re on the highest point in the state of Arkansas and are the highest land mass between the Minnesota-Canadian border and the Gulf of Mexico,” said Heidi Ryan, director of sales and marketing at the park.

The Lodge at Mount Magazine is a showplace with stunning views. This mountaintop resort has 60 rustic-looking yet modern guest rooms and the popular Skycrest Restaurant with Southern cuisine. On either side of the lodge, along the bluff, are 13 Arkansas mountain cabins.

“People come for hiking, biking, relaxation and great views,” Ryan said. “All of our rooms and cabins have a view of the Petit Jean River Valley and Blue Mountain Lake. We have campsites and are expanding them.”

Ryan said that her park sees many bus groups, wedding parties, government and corporate groups, family reunions and church groups, which often use the park for activities like marriage retreats. Some scout troops visit as well.

Mount Magazine is for outdoor-sport and extreme-adventure lovers. There is mountain biking, ATV access, rock climbing, rappelling, hang gliding, backpacking and horseback riding.

The park is also a convenient base for visiting the many attractions in the area.

Ryan mentioned Subiaco Abbey and Academy, built in the 1800s as a Benedictine monastery and still operated today by monks as a boy’s prep school. You can tour the facility and learn about the dedicated life of a monk. For wine lovers, there are also five wineries near the park, two of which have restaurants. www.mountmagazinestatepark.com

By Ron Fry, courtesy Custer State Park

By Ron Fry, courtesy Custer State Park

By Ron Fry, courtesy Custer State Park

Courtesy Mount Magazine State Park

Top to bottom: dining at a Custer State Park lodge; bison at Custer State Park; campfire cooking at Custer; fall foliage at Mount Magazine State Park.

going on faith [ goingonfaith.com ]

Courtesy Georgia State Parks

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Courtesy Ohio DNR

Top to bottom: Amicalola Falls State Park Lodge; hiking through a creek at Amicalola Falls; a snake demonstration at Amicalola Falls; adventure in Ohio’s Hocking Hills

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[ AMICALOLA FALLS STATE PARK ] DAWSONVILLE, GEORGIA Many who have tried Georgia’s state parks say their beauty makes them perfect for church groups, as well as retreat, conference, camp and workshop participants. One in particular that stands out is Amicalola Falls State Park, located near Dawsonville in the north-central part of the state.

The park provides an outdoor sanctuary for groups that crave peaceful tranquility for silent meditation and reflection. Regular visitors include church staffs; Bible study groups; men’s, women’s and couples’ retreats; and choral groups.

There are plenty of cabins and campsites to use, but for those who want more creature comforts, the popular Lodge at Amicalola Falls is a comfortable alternative. The view of the park from there is spectacular.

The most popular attraction is the 729-foot-tall Amicalola Falls, said to be the Southeast’s tallest cascading waterfall. Visitors get the best views of it from an accessible pathway or on the more challenging trails with natural staircases.

“We offer guided hikes, wilderness survival schools, geocaching, archery, campfire programs and a lot more,” said Chaz Brown, supervisor of park activities. “We also have a GoPro rental program for when you go hiking or doing other things. In the future, we will have zip lines open.”

And speaking of hiking, March is the time for the annual Appalachian Trail Kickoff, where hikers of the famous trail begin their 2,100-plus-mile trek at nearby Springer Mountain as they head north to their ultimate destination: Maine.

There are also naturalists who work with groups.

“Most of them have been here for years and really know their stuff,” said Brown. “We take great pride in presenting a professional and educational program. We’ll spend time with our groups to make sure they are comfortable, happy and will want to return again.” www.gastateparks.org/amicalolafalls [ HOCKING HILLS STATE PARK ] LOGAN, OHIO The history of Ohio is written in the 360 million-year-old sandstone and shale formations in Hocking Hills State Park, located in the southeast part of the state.

Nature’s slow and deliberate handiwork is what attracts visitors to this park.

“The caves are what bring people here,” said Jennifer Scott, natural resource staff member at the park. “Four of the six park locations also have waterfalls.”

There are five distinctive areas in the 2,300-acre park, some with remarkable rock formations sporting colorful names. Old Man’s Cave has a narrow, deep gorge with waterfalls. Rock House sits on cliffs and features a rock shelter, and Ash Cave is a large rock shelter with its own small waterfall.

Cantwell Cliffs features a wide gorge at the head of a hollow and has an unusual stone stairway. Cedar Falls has a huge waterfall as its main attraction.

Hiking, rock climbing and rappelling are all popular pursuits for visitors who want to give it a try.

Groups of all kinds come to the state park. Group planners should note that overnight accommodations are limited to cottages and campgrounds.

“We have two campsites that hold up to 20 people each and two sites that handle up to 30 each,” said Scott. In addition, primitive campsites can be used.

Additional hotels, inns and cabins are available off the state park property.

There are numerous ways to see the park, including by air via Hocking Hills Scenic Air Tours. Hocking Valley Scenic Railway takes people on a history tour by rail. Horseback riding is available, and so is zip lining, either during the day or at night. Lake Logan draws people to water activities such as boating, fishing, swimming, kayaking and rafting. www.thehockinghills.org

Top to bottom: Snow covers Hocking Hills State Park; lakefront lodge at Fall Creek Falls State Park; Fall Creek Falls

“We offer guided hikes, wilderness survival schools, geocaching, archery, campfire programs and a lot more.”

— CHAZ BROWN, AMICALOLA FALLS STATE PARK

[ FALL CREEK FALLS STATE PARK ] SPENCER, TENNESSEE Fall Creek Falls State Park can be found in central Tennessee and is the largest and most visited park in the state system. And no wonder. Located on part of the jagged Cumberland Plateau, the park is full of beautiful gorges, cascades and hardwood forests and has water flowing everywhere.

“There are six waterfalls that people definitely want to see,” said Adrian Hankins, who works in the park’s campground and group reservations department. One waterfall is 256 feet high, one of the tallest in the eastern United States. “There are also observation areas to stop at and enjoy the scenery and more than 35 miles of trails,” said Hankins.

Hikers can take either short walks or longer ones around Fall Creek Lake or to the base of Fall Creek Falls. Also available are two other challenging trails that require overnight stays.

This busy park entertains adult and youth church groups as well as family and school reunions and student groups, to name a few. The park has an inn with 145 guest rooms with fantastic panoramic views of the lake below. There is also a conference center with meeting facilities and a restaurant. In addition, the park has 30 cabins and 222 campsites.

“From Memorial Day in the spring to Labor Day and after in the fall, there is something going on at least every weekend,” said Hankins. Naturalists are available to educate and guide groups, depending on the program they choose.

Programs include such diverse options as campfire chats, arts and crafts, musical performances, movies, organized games and environmental education. The park is an outdoor classroom. The park also has a fine 18-hole golf course and an Olympic-size swimming pool. www.tnstateparks.com/fallcreekfalls

Courtesy Ohio DNR

Courtesy Tennessee State Parks

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Courtesy Tennessee State Parks

RACE TO THE BOTTOM

Wahoo Racer at Six Flags White Water will be the tallest racing waterslide in the world when it opens in 2016.

WATER PARKS NATIONWIDE ARE DEBUTING THEIR BEST SLIDES YET 24

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Courtesy Six Flags White Water

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KEREN HAMEL

ater parks are riding a huge wave of innovation and expansion.

Across the country, park engineers are tearing down old slides to make room for faster, higher, more-thrilling attractions.

“The arms race of waterslides has gone on for a good magazine. “They’re putting a lot of money into research and development for creating new experiences.”

Developments include gravity-defying uphill travel, launch capsules that propel riders downward at high “Interactivity was the big reveal this year,” Palicki Groups looking to experience the latest rides will have

[ VERRÜCKT ] SCHLITTERBAHN WATERPARK KANSAS CITY, KANSAS Thrill-seekers break a couple of records when they ride Verrückt (German for “insane”), simultaneously the world’s tallest waterslide and tallest uphill waterslide.

After climbing 254 steps, three riders strap into a rubber raft and experience a 17-story near free-fall, only to be propelled up a second hill for a 50-foot drop.

The raft reaches speeds of 65 mph and travels 607 feet in a mere 10 seconds.

That’s higher than Niagara Falls and nearly as far as two football fields.

Groups have traveled to Kansas City from all over the world since Verrückt opened in 2014, said Schlitterbahn spokesman Jeff Hays. No other waterslide in the United States comes within four stories of the 168-foot-7-inch tower.

“When you’re strapped in and getting ready to drop, you can clearly see downtown Kansas City, which is a 20-minute drive away,” Hays said.

The ride has been so popular that the park allows visitors to set up reservations in the morning so they can enjoy the rest of the park rather than waiting in line.

A second big draw at the Kansas City park is a wave pool where visitors can surf, technology first invented by the Schlitterbahn family that’s now popular around the world. www.schlitterbahn.com/kansas-city [ ZIPP ZAPP ZOOM SLIDEBOARDING ] WET’N’WILD LAS VEGAS The future of water parks — think Guitar Hero meets waterslide — debuted at Wet’n’Wild in 2015. As the first interactive gaming waterslide in the world, Zipp Zapp Zoom was only available to season pass holders in 2015, but it opens to the masses in 2016.

Slideboarding turns riders into gamers as they twist down an enclosed tunnel on a boogie-board-style raft with controllers built into the handles. The goal is to press the colored buttons that correspond to a sequence of colored lights that illuminate within the pitch-black slide. Riders also get to choose custom music that crescendos with every turn in the slide.

With 300 feet of twists and turns and 20 target areas, Zipp Zapp Zoom has 36 levels of difficulty. Beginners start out by trying to match a single color to a few targets. Color combinations and targets increase as the player improves.

Scores are posted near the splashdown pool at the end of the tunnel; but, players beware, the smartgame penalizes anyone who purposely slows down to improve scoring.

“Riders love the competitive nature of the slide,” said Wet’n’Wild spokeswoman Raquel Sanchez. “Kids will go over and over. They go against their friends, and it gets more difficult, so it’s not the same experience each time.”

In response to the popularity of the slide, Wet’n’Wild introduced an app for players who want to increase their competitive edge. The app simulates the Slideboarding experience with the same twists, turns and colored buttons.

Plus, it’s still a fun ride for the gaming challenged, Sanchez said. “With the lights and music, it’s a whole new experience.”

Since Zipp Zapp Zoom opened, other water parks have unveiled their own Slideboarding rides, and more are in the works for 2016. www.wetnwildlasvegas.com

Courtesy Schlitterbahn

Courtesy Schlitterbahn

Courtesy Wet’n’Wild

Top and middle: Verruckt at Schlitterbahn Kansas City sets several records for waterslides. Bottom: Zipp Zapp Zoom at Wet’n’wild in Las Vegas.

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The new Blackbeard’s Revenge at Carolina Harbor in 2016

Courtesy Carowinds

Six Flags White Water Wahoo Racer Courtesy Six Flags White Water

[ WAHOO RACER AND DIVE BOMBER ] SIX FLAGS WHITE WATER MARIETTA , GEORGIA When Wahoo Racer debuts at Six Flags White Water in 2016, it will be the tallest racing slide of its kind in the world. Six racers on toboggans will fly headfirst down six separate enclosed flumes.

After pushing off from 60 feet in the air, riders won’t be able to see each other as they maneuver big curves and bumpy hills until the flumes open into track-style racing lanes toward the bottom. The toboggans reach speeds of 40 feet per second.

“The tubes are colored on top and translucent on the bottom,” said White Water spokesman Gene Petriello. “So racers won’t know what’s happening, but spectators from the bottom will know who’s winning. You won’t realize you’re in last place until it’s too late.”

Equally impressive to Wahoo Racer is White Water’s 100-foot extreme plunge slide. Dive Bomber, which opened in 2015, features a trap-door capsule that drops riders 10 stories at speeds of more than 40 miles per hour. The plummet is at a nearly 90-degree angle.

Dive Bomber’s zero-gravity experience has become the new standard for body slides. Riders want to free-fall rather than push off from a sitting position.

“It’s an exhilarating ride for the person who is brave enough to stand and drop 10 stories, but it’s also exhilarating for the families that want to watch,” Petriello said. “Whenever I go, people are always watching from the bottom, seeing how far people fly and seeing who makes the biggest splash.” www.sixflags.com/whitewater

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[ CAROLINA HARBOR WATERPARK ] CAROWINDS CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA The expansion of the water park at Carowinds in Charlotte is so large that the park has earned a new name. The former Boomerang Bay will reopen in 2016 as Carolina Harbor, with twice the number of slides, multiple children’s spray grounds and a second wave pool that mimics the high surf of the Atlantic Ocean.

In anticipation of the 2016 expansion, Carowinds added two new slides in 2014. Surfer’s Swell sends riders into an angled wall that mimics the sensation of catching an ocean wave. Dorsal Fin Drop is a 351-foot-long slide that speeds riders through a curved tunnel, then into a bowl where they spin and swirl before exiting through a funnel. Riders often compare the popular bowl rides to being flushed down a toilet, a term the water park industry isn’t crazy about.

In addition to revamping popular attractions, Carolina Harbor is introducing several new attractions.

“The one that everyone seems to be talking about is Black Beard’s Revenge,” said Carowinds spokeswoman Laresa Thompson. “That’s the one with the big thrill factor.”

Black Beard’s Revenge is a six-story complex with three separate attractions and a total of six slides. Pirate’s Plank features the drop-capsule free-fall; Cannonball Drop is an enclosed chute with four intense 360-degree turns; and Captain’s Curse includes a combination of drops and turns. www.carolinaharbor.carowinds.com

Wilderness Waterpark

WISCONSIN DELLS: WATER PARK CAPITAL No city stays up on water park trends like Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin, which bills itself as the “Waterpark Capital of the World.” With multiple indoor and outdoor complexes, this water park mecca is a group destination year-round. Wisconsin Dells’ credentials are staggering:

Roa’s Aviary at Seaworld Aquatica in San Antonio Courtesy Seaworld Aquatica

[ ROA’S AVIARY ] SEAWORLD AQUATICA SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS Amidst the proliferation of higher, faster attractions, nothing compares to Roa’s Aviary, which puts guests face-to-face with the most spectacular birds from around the world. The aviary, which opened at San Antonio’s Aquatica water park in 2014, is home to more than 200 exotic birds and encloses a lazy river, waterfalls, footpaths and a wave pool.

It’s not unusual for the brightly colored birds, some of which are endangered species, to land on guests’ heads or shoulders. Guests can participate in feeding the birds if they want to be sure of one-on-one interactions.

“We have a lot of favorites,” said Aquatica aviculturist Jason Medina. “I personally really enjoy the turacos. It’s a very colorful bird, exotic, very interactive and very vocal.”

Another crowd favorite is the Guira cuckoo. The South American bird is known for its unmistakable call, which sounds something like a long whistle. Medina said it’s common for the Guira cuckoo to land on guests’ shoulders and give them an earful.

After two seasons, the apiary flock has more than doubled, and at least two aviculturists are on hand at all times to introduce visitors to the growing flock.

“I always tell guests that patience is rewarding in the aviary,” Medina said. “If you’re patient, the birds will come to you.” www.aquaticabyseaworld.com/en/sanantonio

• Five large water park resorts, one outdoor water park, several small water park hotels • Nation’s largest water park: Noah’s Ark Waterpark, spanning 70 acres • World’s first indoor water park: The Polynesian Resort, in 1989 • Nation’s largest indoor/outdoor water complex: Wilderness Territory, at 500,000 square feet • More than 200 water slides • More than 16 million gallons of water • 3,820 inner tubes in town • 4 million visitors a year • New in December 2015: Slideboarding at Klondike Kavern

www.wisdells.com Great Wolf Lodge

Photos courtesy Wisconsin Dells VCB

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YOUTH

DESTINATION: RECREATION THESE OUTDOOR HOTSPOTS ARE IDEAL FOR YOUTH GROUP GATHERINGS

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by

MOLLY PHIL LIPS

outh group trips are typically filled with large amounts of sugar and caffeine and are devoid of good nights’ sleep. Somehow, teenagers who can barely stay awake through history class are suddenly imbued with energy once boarding the bus or van to an out-of-town destination with their friends. So it’s not surprising that many youth group trip planners opt to channel teens’ newfound energy into a place with limitless space: the great outdoors.

Whether rock climbing or whitewater rafting, teens will satisfy their sense of adventure and learn about themselves when taking a trip centered around nature. The following out-of-the-way places make great escapes for trips with groups of teens of any size and have enough space to contain any amount of teen mania.

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LAUREL HIGHLANDS, PENNSYLVANIA The three-county area of Laurel Highlands in southwestern Pennsylvania contains eight different state parks, five national parks and a state forest within its borders.

The opportunities to explore these wild areas is nearly limitless.

Every group will need to start somewhere, though, which is why Stacey Magda, group sales manager for the Laurel Highlands Visitors Bureau, recommends beginning in the town of Ohiopyle. Within the Ohiopyle State Park surrounding this tiny town of less than 100 residents is a 20-foot waterfall and a brand-new visitors center that offers interpretive programming. “Right now, they are doing a wildlife program where students are conducting research on river otters,” said Magda.

The park is also home to four outfitters, all of which offer excursions and team-building activities for youth. “Wilderness Voyagers, which is a really good one, was actually started by taking scout groups and youth groups down the river,” said Magda.

Magda noted the history of one of the popular lodging options, too: a famous hostel called the Hostel on Main that sits on the Allegheny trail in Rockwood, Pennsylvania The hostel was a general store before it was renovated into the comfortable and affordable accommodation it is today.

Other interesting structures groups traveling to the area should check out are a small collection of houses designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, including one of his most famous, Fallingwater. Groups can hike to see the home, and tours of the house are held every day from April through November and on a limited number of days the rest of the year. Adult tickets are priced at $25, but student groups of 10 or more can negotiate discount pricing.

W W W. L A U R E L H I G H L A N D S . O R G

BRANSON, MISSOURI “It’s the neon and the nature,” said Lynn Berry, director of communications for the Branson Convention and Visitors Bureau, when asked why Branson is such a popular destination for teenage travelers year after year. Nestled in the Ozark Mountains close to the Missouri-Arkansas border, Branson is, as Berry described, “so unbelievably green.”

One area especially worth hiking through is Dogwood Canyon, which has a plethora of waterfalls. The property is 10,000 acres and straddles Missouri and Arkansas. Dogwood is heavily populated with buffalo, deer, elk and other wildlife.

By Darren Edwards, courtesy Visit Estes Park

Youth groups visiting Estes Park can take horseback excursions in the Rocky Mountains.

“Don’t be surprised if the elk want to come right up and lick you,” said Berry.

Berry said it was the nature that started the entertainment portion of Branson’s attractions.

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“The first entertainment in Branson happened in the late 1950s on the banks of Lake Taneycomo,” she said. “A family of traveling entertainers came down to

ESTES PARK, COLORADO In Estes Park, Colorado, there are plenty of wild creatures around to captivate

play for the campers because they knew that if they entertained the moms and

any group of wild teenagers. Elk, coyotes, raccoons, badgers and other animals

the kids, then the men could stay and fish more.”

can often be seen wandering the streets of this town of just over 6,000.

Today, there are four dozen different theaters in Branson offering 120 full productions each week; hence, the neon.

“One of the biggest draws to Estes Park is the fact that we are surrounded by so much protected land,” said Brooke Burnham, director of communications,

One of the main stops youth groups include on a Branson travel agenda is Sight and Sound Theatre, which is famous for staging large-scale, Broadway-style musical productions depicting stories from the Bible.

public relations and social media for Visit Estes Park. “It makes the wildlife watching unparalleled.”

Considered the headquarters of Rocky Mountain National Park, Estes is the

Another popular theater in Branson is the Andy Williams Moon River Theatre,

ideal location for those looking to experience the Colorado’s outdoor paradise.

the only theater to ever be featured in an issue of Architectural Digest. Though

The park offers 350 miles of hiking trails, winding past waterfalls, canyons and

that may be a point the adults on a youth trip are more keen on appreciating, the

even glaciers.

entertainment booked at this venue will have visitors of all ages on the edges of their seats.

“A great way to experience it is on one of the only drop-and-ride bike trails in the state: Trail Ridge East,” said Burnham, “drop-and-ride” meaning that an

The lodging options in Branson are as endless as the entertainment and excur-

outfitter, New Venture Cycling, drops off riders 12 and older from a van at an

sions, with the lakefront Still Waters Resort being a popular destination for youth

elevation of 12,000 feet and lets them cruise the 29 miles downhill back to the

groups and Green Mountain Cabins a great destination for groups on a budget.

base — after a picnic lunch, of course.

W W W. E X P L O R E B R A N S O N . C O M

Trail Ridge East, along with many other activities in Estes, is offered to groups Memorial day through October. If your crew is looking for a winter escape, the region offers enough winter sports to keep even the rowdiest group from getting

Fun at a Laurel Highlands resort

cabin fever; snowshoeing, skating and even downhill skiing can be found about an hour to the south.

In a thriving outdoor resort town, groups might not consider the local YMCA as a prime choice for lodging, but believe it or not, it is, as Burnham said, “extremely popular.” She said the Rocky Mountain Chapter of the famous youth organization owns 800 acres of land and has facilities that include cabins and more hotel-like accommodations, an on-site cafe and cafeteria, a mini golf, and a zip line.

W W W. V I S I T E S T E S PA R K . C O M

PIGEON FORGE, TENNESSEE “The entire town is built on tourism, and it is an absolute paradise for teenagers,” said Leon Downey, executive director of the Pigeon Forge Department of Tourism. It’s no surprise, then, that the city invested several years ago in a conference facility called the LeConte Center that can hold up to 12,000 people comfortably. The primary clientele? Youth groups.

Whether planning a trip around a large conference or rally, or simply looking for an accessible weekend getaway, youth groups of all sizes flock to Pigeon Forge. The town’s many rentable cabins, some that sleep groups of up to 50, are plentiful year-round and a popular choice for youth groups on a budget. Those looking for a slightly more upscale experience should consider Dolleywood’s DreamMore Resort, which just opened this past summer.

Courtesy Laurel Highlands Visitors Bureau

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“Also, there’s this great hotel called the Inn at Christmas Place,” said Downey, An off-road adventure in Branson

“and every single room is decorated for Christmas 365 days out of the year.”

Another appealing feature of Pigeon Forge is that there is equally as much to do indoors as out, making it a great destination in sun, rain or snow. Great Smoky Mountains National Park, America’s most visited national park, is just miles outside of the city and offers groups hiking, fishing, biking and more.

Pigeon Forge also has plentiful indoor recreation opportunities. Two major attractions are Dolly Parton’s show “The Dixie Stampede,” which takes place over a five-course dinner, and WonderWorks, an indoor amusement park. This park — half museum, half theme park — lets youth experience what it would be like to be inside a tornado or a hurricane, putting an educational spin on wild rides.

W W W. M Y P I G E O N F O R G E . C O M Courtesy Branson Lakes Area CVB

NEW RIVER GORGE, WEST VIRGINIA Canopy tours are popular in rain forest destinations such as the Amazon and

Pigeon Forge’s Outdoor Gravity Park

Hiking th Hiking the he New New River River Gor Ri Gorge ge Bri Bridge dg dge

Central America, but teens can experience the same thrill of traveling through the treetops in an unlikely place: New River Gorge, West Virginia.

“The bridge tours and canopy tours are usually open March through October,” said Mandy Wriston, assistant director at the New River Gorge Convention and Visitors Bureau. “You must, must, must do a canopy tour if you come.”

Adventures on the Gorge is a popular outfitter that offers groups the chance to tour the canopy of the area year-round, with special rates November through March and every Tuesday.

By bridge tours, Wriston was referring to guided walks across the New River Gorge’s most famous man-made landmark: an 850-foot-high steel bridge. For many years, trespassing on the trellises was illegal — for obvious reasons — but today, groups can walk across safely while harnessed.

The bridge is so famous that the town hosts an annual Bridge Day during the third weekend in October, with 200 different vendors, food trucks, artisans and others coming out to celebrate the iconic structure. This is the only weekend of

Courtesy Pigeon Forge Department of Tourism

Courtesy New River Gorge CVB

the year when base-jumpers and rappellers are allowed to use the bridge to complete daring feats.

The New River Gorge is still a place deeply tied to its natural landscape. Youth groups of all skill levels will enjoy the plethora of activities available, including biking tours, paddleboarding and whitewater rafting.

If groups are looking for an interesting place to rest after a long day outdoors, a renovated bank in nearby Fayetteville, West Virginia, called Lafayette Flats is a good option. Built in 1906, the hotel began its life as a bank and sits in downtown Fayetteville directly across from the historic courthouse, close to shops, restaurants and other early buildings.

W W W. N E W R I V E R G O R G E C V B . C O M

Open Air Adventure Park in Estes Park

By James Frank, courtesy Estes Park CVB

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STATE OF THE INDUSTRY

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going on faith [ december 2015 | january 2016 ]

FAITH-BASED TOURISM LEADERS REFLECT ON THE SUCCESSES AND CHALLENGES OF 2015 Christian travelers celebrate Palm Sunday in Jerusalem.

by

BRIAN JEWELL

F

aith-based travel continued on its growth trajectory in 2015, despite some international instability. Both in the United States and internationally, faith-based destinations and tour companies saw positive business results for this year and expect to continue to do well in 2016.

The recession of the past decade — and its downward effect on tourism — seems to have ended. And while some smaller companies continue to search for new business in America’s faith-based communities, organizations that specialize in religious tourism reported growth across demographic and denominational lines.

For firsthand accounts of the state of the faith-based travel industry, Going On Faith interviewed the leaders of three organizations to review their business results for 2015, learn about their expectations for 2016 and explore the trends that they see driving the marketplace.

EYAL CARLIN ISRAEL MINISTRY OF TOURISM

As consul general and director of the Israel Ministry of Tourism’s Southern Region office, Eyal Carlin works to promote Israel as a destination for faithbased groups throughout the Bible Belt region.

GOING ON FAITH: How has visitation to Israel been in 2015?

EYAL CARLIN: We’re averaging between 50,000 and 55,000 American trav-

elers per month. We’re looking at having about 640,000 Americans this year, which will be a record year. So we’re definitely seeing a growth trend.

GOF: How have events in the Middle East impacted tourism to Israel?

EC: These are turbulent times. Last year we had the operation in Gaza. But the

bounce-back period is shortening; people are coming back more quickly.

People trust the destinations, and things are forgotten very quickly.

GOF: Where is the growth in the market coming from?

EC: Our bread and butter is still individual churches going. But we’re also seeing

more themed visits. With the Southern Baptists, for example, the Georgia convention took their worship leaders to Israel as a choir. The Virginia Baptists are taking a trip based on their establishment’s history. The Seventh-day Adventists are taking different divisions from the U.S. We’re also seeing an increase in interest from the travel trade. That’s a natural reaction to what happened in 2014; a lot of people dropped Israel from their portfolios in 2015 but are coming back for 2016. We’re seeing more sophisticated travel packages to Israel that also include history and cultural elements. So we’re definitely seeing a reintroduction of Israel into big tour operators’ packages.

GOF: What are today’s travelers to Israel asking for?

EC: A lot of faith-based travel is premium packages; they include expert tour

guides, very good hotels and very good transportation and all of the must-see sights. going on faith [ goingonfaith.com ] 33

By Dafna Tal, courtesy IMOT

There are companies in Israel now offering add-ons, such as interfaith studies. There are institutes that work through the tour operators that offer joint studies that could be together with a rabbi, a priest and a pastor living in Israel. There are some initiatives that are Israeli-Palestinian. There’s one called Breaking Bread, where they offer hosting in the homes of both Jews and Palestinians. You can meet a secular family and an ultraorthodox family, or a Muslim family.

Also popular are the archaeological digs that invite tourists to come participate; those are called Digs for a Day. Those are going strong, and they will be ongoing for the next few years.

Exploring Israel’s ancient sites

By Dafna Tal, courtesy IMOT

GOF: What are your expectations for 2016?

EC: We’re very optimistic; it seems like things are very positive. The govern-

ment of Israel has allocated more money for promoting tourism for 2016.

Tour operators are reporting strong bookings. In 2016, Delta is introducing four new weekly flights from JFK, and United Airlines is introducing a direct flight from San Francisco to Tel Aviv. El Al started a flight from Boston this year.

The price of fuel has come down, and that can influence airfares. And general prices have come down a bit.

ROB JUDGE NATIONAL SHRINE OF ST. ELIZABETH ANN SETON

In Emmitsburg, Maryland, the National Shrine of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton preserves the place where the famous Catholic figure lived, raised her children and trained missionaries. Rob Judge is executive director of the site, which attracts Catholics and Protestants to see two historic homes, a basilica and a museum.

Church of the Holy Sepulchre

Courtesy IMOT

GOING ON FAITH: How has your visitation been in 2015?

ROB JUDGE: It was a very good year for us. We see about 45,000 visitors a

year. Our numbers through the end of September were up 17 percent over 2014.

We were at 38,600, and last year the same time, we were at 32,800. It’s been a great year; we rarely see that much of a jump.

GOF: What factors have contributed to the growth?

RJ: We’ve increased our marketing over the last number of years, so I’d like

to say it’s because of that. We’re going to shows like the Going On Faith Conference and have been working directly with the tourism boards in the area.

And the 40th anniversary of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton’s canonization in 2015 probably had something to do with it; we got a lot of good publicity from that.

GOF: What are people asking to see and do when they visit the shrine?

RJ: It’s a blend. One thing that is unique about it is that we have both the histori-

National Shrine of St. Elizabeth Ann Seaton

Courtesy NSSEAS

cal angle and the spiritual angle. You can come to learn about what life was like in the 1800s in rural Maryland or learn about St. Elizabeth Ann Seton’s life, what she was doing with her sisters and serving the poor. Because we have the historical homes, museum and basilica, you can make it a light tour or make it more spiritual and blend the two together to whatever degree you want. You could attend Mass, pray by her tomb or meditate in the gardens outside.

GOF: What are your expectations for 2016?

RJ: I’d like to say that we would keep growing. We were just chosen as an official

site for the Year of Mercy by the Archdiocese of Baltimore. The pope has outlined 2016 as a Year of Mercy and is encouraging people to go on pilgrimage trips, and we’ve been chosen as a pilgrimage site.

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going on faith [ december 2015 | january 2016 ]

GOF: What trends do you see impacting your business in the future?

RJ: We’re going to do a review of all our programming in the coming year. We’re

trying to appeal to a more diverse audience. We don’t want to change who we are or what we have here, but we want to be able to communicate the breadth of it to people, regardless of their background. St. Elizabeth Ann Seaton was an amazing leader, not just a saint, and her story would interest people of many backgrounds.

DIXIE SMITH CHRISTIAN TOURS OF AMERICA

For six years, Christian Tours of America has specialized in hosting tours that showcase America’s faith heritage in Washington, D.C., and Williamsburg, Virginia. Director Dixie Smith has also launched an Israel tour product, which has garnered a lot of interest in less than one year on the market.

GOING ON FAITH: What has business been like in 2015?

DIXIE SMITH: It’s been OK. We’re looking for some growth. Israel has been

Chapel cemetery at the National Shrine of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton

Courtesy NSSEAS

kind of spotty. I had a lot of people interested in going, but they backed off when some things started happening there. But they still have an interest in going.

I had some churches go to Washington, D.C., in the fall, and got really good reviews on it. The Washington trip is also promoted by the Family Research Council and Watchmen on the Wall.

GOF: How is 2016 shaping up?

DS: I’d like to have more for next year. I have a couple of groups signed up

for Israel, and they’re really low on registrations. I’ve talked to the pastors, and it’s because of the fear of terrorism.

I have several Washington trips scheduled. They typically don’t start getting registrations until January and February for those. I have a couple in May and a couple in September.

Inside a historic church with Christian Tours of America

GOF: How do you handle security concerns in these destinations?

DS: In Washington, D.C., we have safety precautions and emergency contingencies

set up. We are not going to send them anywhere that is dangerous; we want people to be safe. Washington is a primary concern for domestic terrorism, but I think these days the terrorists will look somewhere else besides Washington and New York.

In Israel, they’ve been fighting for years and years and years. But we had groups there last week, and they had great trips. The government there takes very high precautions for keeping groups safe. I have pastors say, “I’m not scared to go.”

Courtesy Christian Tours of America

GOF: How are you reaching faith-based travelers?

DS: The pastors are pretty key. We go to some conferences, like the Southern

Baptist Convention Annual Meeting, and I’m getting ready to go to a Lutheran private school conference in California. We go to the Watchmen on the Wall conferences.

Watchmen and the Family Research Council have more than 50,000 pastors signed up, and they do email campaigns for the trips that they sponsor.

GOF: What are today’s travelers asking for on your tours?

DS: In Washington, they enjoy having private, evening tours of the Capitol. We go

A faith-based tour of Washington, D.C.

in after hours, escorted by a representative or a senator. Our guide gives them Christian information in the Rotunda, the Hall of Statues and the Hall of Flags. It’s totally different than what they would get on the public Capitol tour and very detailed.

Courtesy Christian Tours of America

GOF: What factors will influence your business in the coming year?

DS: We’re hoping to get a lot of interest in the D.C. trip because it’s an elec-

tion year. going on faith [ goingonfaith.com ] 35

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