Going On Faith Fall 2023

Faithful Finds Presidential Sites Made in Indiana

These

Discover crafts and commerce on a tour of the Hoosier State.

DEPARTMENTS

EDITOR’S BRIAN JEWELL

FINDING YOUR LOST SHEEP

NOTES

What happened to your missing church members?

That’s a question church leaders around the country have been asking for a couple years now. And the answer could have implications for your travel program.

Whether your church is large, small or somewhere in between, you’ve likely seen some puzzling trends in attendance. Much of this, of course, has to do with the disruption of the pandemic. In spring 2020, most churches stopped holding in-person services, at least for a while. And although different churches chose different times to begin gathering again, when they did resume meeting, almost all of them noticed the same thing: A substantial number of people who used to attend regularly before the pandemic were now nowhere to be found.

Like many of the puzzling questions of the post-pandemic era, there isn’t one clear answer. Instead, there are many contributing factors. Some people chose to relocate during the pandemic. Some used that time to check out online services at other churches and decided to start attending them instead. Some people disagreed with their church leaders’ pandemic restrictions — or lack thereof — and left in protest. And sadly, some passed away, succumbing to COVID or any of myriad other diseases.

But from what I have read, the biggest factor involved in declining church attendance is the number of people who got comfortable spending Sunday mornings at home during the pandemic. What started as a temporary measure turned into a permanent habit. They

haven’t renounced their faith and they don’t have anything against the churches they used to attend. But once they became accustomed to staying home on Sunday mornings, they decided attending church in person just wasn’t worth the effort anymore.

For you as a leader of a church travel program, this means two things:

First, it means your numbers are likely also down. If your church has lost members, you might find some of your former travelers are no longer around. And while some of your post-COVID trips may have sold well because of pent-up demand, that strong rebound could start to tail off as travel prices continue to rise. If you don’t replace the travelers who are no longer part of your congregation, you’ll likely see your group sizes dwindle in the coming years. That’s a good reason to start looking for ways to involve newer — and perhaps younger — people in your travel program.

Second, it means you may have an opportunity to bridge the attendance gap. Because some of the people who no longer feel connected to your church might still feel connected to you. And if they have traveled with you before, they may feel connected to your group as well.

If some of your former travelers haven’t come around in a while, I would encourage you to reach out to them. Better yet, invite them to join your next trip. Even if they don’t see the value in showing up for Sunday services, they might still be excited about traveling with you.

And chances are, if they do come on your next trip, they’ll start to rediscover the value of the community they’ve been missing.

BRIAN JEWELL | EDITOR | brianj@grouptravelleader.com

GREEN BAY DELIGHTS GOING ON FAITH CONFERENCE ATTENDEES

Going On Faith staff enjoyed Green Bay.

BY MAC LACY

Green Bay, Wisconsin, one of America’s iconic Great Lakes cities, hosted the Going On Faith Conference August 22–24 and drew 150 travel industry buyers and sellers for three days of networking, professional development and social events. Now in its 18th year, the Going On Faith Conference is the only national travel event dedicated solely to faith-based travel for groups.

“We’ve held conferences three times in Green Bay, and we know going in that our expectations will be exceeded; they always have been,” said Jennifer

Ferguson, general manager of the conference and of the Group Travel Family. “Brad Toll and Julie Gerczak with Discover Green Bay are among the most hospitable hosts we work with, and anytime you kick your event off with an evening at Lambeau Field, your delegates are going to be impressed. It was a VIP experience for everyone who attended.”

Faith-based planners were able to attend any of three different FAM tours that highlighted the region — one for Green Bay itself and two that showcased either Manitowoc or Fox Cities, two other popular Wisconsin destinations.

BUSINESS WAS BRISK

Two marketplaces yielded an average of 30 appointments for attending travel companies and destinations. Seventeen sponsors hosted meals and seminar sessions or provided on-site services for attendees. Longtime sponsors included Collette, Sight and Sound Theatres, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, Branson Restaurants Inc/ IMAX, Cherokee Nation Cultural Tourism, and Ark

GOING ON FAITH

Photos by Mac Lacy unless noted

Encounter and Creation Museum. Newer sponsors included Plimoth and Patuxet Museums/See Plymouth, which provided a traditional Thanksgiving luncheon and informative presentation on the history of the Plymouth, Massachusetts, region.

“Our sponsors and attendees cover all the faithbased bases,” said Ferguson. “From places like the Ark Encounter and Sight and Sound Theatres to companies like Collette that can take a group anywhere in the world, there is no reason to not be here if you are in the faith-based travel segment.”

“We couldn’t be happier with having this group in Green Bay,” said Gerczak. “We were able to take a group out to our National Shrine of Our Lady of Champion, and we also have nearby St. Norbert Abbey and St. Francis Xavier Cathedral, as well as other faith-centered sites for these groups. Visitors to Green Bay know they are coming to a clean, family-friendly city that offers wonderful places to see. We’re a foodie destination as well. Our breweries, wineries, cheese curds and fine dining all combine to make a trip to Green Bay lots of fun.”

BRANSON ON TAP

Next August, the fun continues at another wellknown family destination.

“We hope everyone in this segment of the industry will join us next year on August 6–8 in Branson, Missouri, for the Going On Faith Conference,” said Ferguson. “It is a world-class destination that understands faith-based travel, and Explore Branson will do a great job for us in every respect.”

gofconference.com

Let’s eat!

Lambeau under lights

Marketplace appointments

National Shrine of Our Lady of Champion

Cheesehead fun

Photo by Bryce Wilson

WHAT TRAVEL PLANNERS ARE SAYING

“We’ve had a busy year. I accompanied groups to Portugal in March, Italy in April and Iceland and Scotland in May. And we leave for an Avalon cruise on the Moselle River next month. In November, we’ll take a group to Israel, Jordan and Dubai. I treat my group like family, like brothers and sisters in Christ. We have lots of couples who renew their vows at some of the world’s most sacred places.”

Gigi Inigo

Style Your Trip

Santa Ana, California

“We work with a lot of women’s groups and offer a lot of retreats. We do a jazz cruise every year. I’m taking some of my church members to Israel with Educational Opportunities. I’ll cut that off at 30 people and build interest in the next one. Now that I’ve been here, I want to do the Ark Encounter, too.”

Darlene McClure

O Happy Day Tours

Visalia, California

“We run three trips per year. We always do a mystery tour, and last year that went to Holland, Michigan, for TulipFest. This year we are doing a Field of Dreams trip that incudes Galena, Illinois, and Dubuque, Iowa, before we go to the Field of Dreams. This conference has been so helpful. People say ‘you did a lot of work,’ and we say ‘no, we went to a conference.’ We like to take about 30 people on our trips.”

Cathy Cepican and Linda Bensen

Trinity

Travelers

Oak Lawn, Illinois

Auction winners

Let’s do business.

We’re ready for action.

Wisconsin hosts at Lambeau Field

Auction action

Richard Pickering, Plimoth & Patuxet

“Our group is mostly seniors now, but we started traveling when they were younger. We just got back from taking 69 people to Maine, and we’ll take 75 or so to the Ark Encounter and Creation Museum in October. We’ll do the Cincinnati Museums and the BB Riverboats cruise, too. Next year, we’ll take our groups to Savannah and Nova Scotia.”

Marilyn Smits Smits Travel

Menomonee, Wisconsin

“This year, we’ve done a 15-day Hawaii cruise with Princess from San Francisco with 20 people, took 37 to the Ark Encounter and did Alaska on the QE II with 25 people. Next month, I’ll take 20 to western Canada to do Calgary to Victoria. We also do a lot of mystery foodie day tours to places like Hungry Like A Wolf in Houston.”

Pam Cox Previte Tumbleweed Tours Spring, Texas

greenbay com/groups

David Price presentation

Blue suede shoes

From herbs and flowers, to veggies and farm fresh ingredients plus music, food and more. Experience Green Bay’s outdoor markets and shopping.

WHAT THE TRAVEL INDUSTRY IS SAYING

“We’re well over 2022 for every month this year. I think 2024 will be even stronger. We’re building a massive new welcome center for groups with the world’s largest reproduction of Jerusalem close by. Our 40 Days and 40 Nights gospel music event is in its third year now and we’re running 20 percent ahead of last year. We’ve added a carousel, Journey of the Animals, that was built in Italy. Spring and fall are our high seasons for groups.”

Eddie Lutz

The Ark Encounter and Creation Museum

Williamstown, Kentucky

“Business is booming. Our customers are traveling longer, are spending about 30 percent more per trip on average, and like the fact that we are handling all the details. When we can, we’ll add another coach for a group, but it has to work well for them. One of our customers recently thanked me because she felt that throughout the pandemic Collette remained ‘relational rather than transactional.’ It meant a lot to me to hear that.”

Jim Edwards Collette

Pawtucket, Rhode Island

“We’re learning a lot about relating to African American sites in our area like Oak Bluffs in Martha’s Vineyard. This conference has been very helpful in hearing what African American groups are seeking. Oak Bluffs is the site of the oldest African American resort in America. Frederick Douglass resided in nearby New Bedford when he escaped from slavery. So, we’re building a more engaging destination for Black tour groups.”

Richard Pickering

Plimoth Patuxet Museums

Plymouth, Massachusetts

Conference theater

Bryce Wilson, Going On Faith Magazine

Mike Pitman and Jeremiah Jones, Sight and Sound

Michelle Clagett, Explore Branson

Julie Gerczak, Discover Green Bay

Jim Edwards, Collette

An Ark Encounter gathering

“It’s all good. Group travel is hot, and people are making up for lost time. We’re selling a lot of river cruises on Avalon. We’ll take a group as small as 8-12 and we book a lot that are more like 30-40. My mother did one this spring and loved it. ‘The crew is wonderful and the tulips were in bloom. It was breathtaking. I enjoyed the town of Keukenhof especially. The gardens there were magnificent. I enjoyed learning about the dykes that protect the towns, too.’”

Rachelle Hildebrandt Stoutt with her mother Agnes Beckwith Globus Family of Brands Littleton, Colorado

“We have three destinations in Ohio, Florida and Indiana. We can create special events for groups at some of these sites using local artisans. We are faith-based destinations and do a lot of cooperative promotion with other sites like Sight and Sound, the Ark Encounter and others to enhance these groups’ trips. On our Dutch Valley campus, a tour group can easily spend three to five hours between the theater, the market, the gift shop and the restaurant.”

Lois Stoltzfus Dutchman’s Hospitality Walnut Creek, Ohio

“We specialize in custom trips. I enjoy customization, and Central Holidays has been doing that since 1972. I’ll have clients ask me about culinary options, using a different hotel or making a trip really high-end. We do a lot of women’s groups for 16 or so. We start at groups of 10. This is my thing — we make designing a custom trip more attainable. Demand has never been higher than it is right now.”

Michael Lundquist Central Holidays Moonachie, New Jersey

Jennifer Ferguson, Group Travel Family

FAITH FACES TRAVEL

NAME & TITLE:

of

‘Divine Intervention’

CHARLIE WALTMAN

LOUISIANA TRAVEL ASSOCIATION

BY REBECCA TREON

Charlie Waltman’s road to working at the Louisiana Travel Association (LTA) was a windy one, but he believes he got his job as membership-marketing manager by divine intervention. Before he landed there, though, he had a rich career in advertising. He attended college in Lafayette, Louisiana, then returned to his hometown of Baton Rouge and opened an advertising agency.

Charlie Waltman

Membership and Sales Manager

COMPANY: Louisiana Travel Association

HOMETOWN: Baton Rouge, Louisiana

FAVORITE BIBLE VERSE:

Philippians 1:6 (NKJV)

“Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.”

FAVORITE DESTINATION:

Small town experiences — Waltman loves exploring revitalized downtowns and historic main streets.

HOBBIES:

When he’s not busy representing Louisiana in the tourism community, Waltman enjoys spending time with family, volunteering in ministry, drinking coffee and watching college sports.

“One of those hurricanes that came through wiped out my business, but during that same time frame, I became an ordained minister,” he said. “I was doing ministry, but I needed another gig. I applied for a job with the Louisiana Travel Association, but the other candidate was a widow with two young children. They awarded the position to me, but I said, ‘I’m not taking money from widows and orphans, I want her to have the job.’ And I literally turned down the job.”

Waltman went on doing other things, including consulting and his ministry, but a few years later, desperate for money, he prayed with his Bible study group for a solution.

“We were really in a cataclysmic kind of ‘we may miss a house note for the first time

TRAVEL TIPS

TIP 1

Always visit the local tourism information center. You may be surprised by what they have to offer you in their area, like free activities, special events happening during your stay and everything in between. It is their job to help you experience the destination better.

TIP 2

Bring along ear plugs to help if you find yourself staying in some noisy places. This I know from personal experience.

TIP 3

Always carry a power bank (solar charging if available) for your electronic devices. Batteries die. Don’t let that spoil your trip.

ever’ kind of thing,” he said. “I had just been at Bible study, and my group prayed with me about it. I had been applying for all kinds of things and not gotten any bites. The following Monday, someone walked into my Bible study and said ‘Hey, that job you applied for a couple of years ago is available.’ I went and printed my resume out, gave it to him, talked to him the next day and was hired by Wednesday. My first paycheck came, and we made the house note by six bucks.”

Waltman has been with LTA ever since and hasn’t looked back, though he has had different roles within the organization. He has worked in his current position for about 12 years, bringing members such as hoteliers, restaurants, attractions and campground owners into the association.

A pillar of Waltman’s life has always been his relationship with God. He has been active at his Bethany Church in Baton Rouge since he was 19, even driving the hour and a half to attend when he lived in Lafayette. He has led his ministry group, which is a branch of Spirit and Truth Ministries International, since 2005.

One of Waltman’s specialties at LTA is working with faith-based groups, helping them to design their ideal itineraries thanks to his years of experience in the church world. His experience in Christian fellowship is one he believes allows him to connect so well with faith travel groups.

“I believe that there are two things that will last, and that’s people and the word of God,” said Waltman. “LTA is an organization that values its members, the businesses, the partnerships we have and the people that we work with. I’ve always trusted in the Lord to take care of me when things weren’t going well for me, and LTA has been one of those things that turned out to be really good for me.”

Rockets, world-class attractions, culinary offerings to satisfy any appetite, a thriving arts and entertainment culture, sweet tea, and hospitable Southern charm isn’t all we are known for. Our rich history, museums, scenic views, and tours and trails are ready for you to explore in Huntsville, Alabama.

Our Foundations of Faith Trail showcases 15 places of worship, each over 100 years old, still holding services.

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Charlie Waltman enjoys spending time with his family and serving at his church in Baton Rouge.

Waltman with his wife Wynne

The Waltmans at an award ceremony

FAITHFUL FINDS

BY RACHEL CRICK

THESE RELIGIOUS ATTRACTIONS OFFER GREAT POTENTIAL FOR TRAVEL GROUPS

Holy shrines, towering churches and museums of biblical proportions are among America’s most popular attractions for travelers, particularly faith-based groups. Some of the most famous religious attractions are staples for group itineraries, but lesser known or newer faith-based attractions can offer just as much value for visiting groups, in addition to smaller crowds and extra perspective.

For a spiritually enriching experience, groups should check out these faithbased attractions around the country.

Courtesy Archdiocese of Oklahoma City

Courtesy Biblical History Center

The Blessed Stanley Rother Shrine features a hand-carved altar and reredos.

An interactive exhibit at the Biblical History Center

BLESSED STANLEY ROTHER SHRINE OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA

Stanley Rother was a Catholic missionary priest from the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City who served a parish in Guatemala and was the first Americanborn priest to be beatified. He learned Spanish and the local indigenous language, Tz’utujil, to serve his parish and became a beloved figure in the Santiago Atitlan community from 1968-81. This was a volatile time in Guatemalan history, with government and guerilla forces engaged in a civil war that ultimately led to the persecution of the church. Rother’s name was added to a death list, but he remained in Guatemala to serve his parishioners. He was murdered in his parish in 1981, and the Vatican later voted to recognize him as a martyr for the faith. He was beatified in 2017, and a shrine to him in Oklahoma City was dedicated in February 2023; his body is entombed under the chapel’s altar.

The shrine is Oklahoma’s largest Catholic church, with seating for 2,000 parishioners. Its Spanish Mission style pays homage to the parish Rother served in Guatemala. Visitors to the church can take guided tours to see the shrine’s gorgeous architectural and design features, from its hand-carved altar and reredos to its mural and statues of Rother. The shrine’s museum teaches about Rother’s life growing up in Oklahoma, his assignment as a missionary and his martyrdom. Also on the shrine’s campus, its Tepeyac Hill mimics the one in Mexico City, with statues of holy figures and great views of the church and the city.

“It’s kind of an escape to come to a very special, holy place where folks can reflect and pray and learn about Blessed Stanley but also inspire them to do great things themselves,” said Miguel Mireles, executive director of the Blessed Stanley Rother Shrine. rothershrine.org

BIBLICAL HISTORY CENTER LAGRANGE, GEORGIA

In the heart of the Bible Belt, groups can experience firsthand what life was like during biblical times at the Biblical History Center. This living history museum in LaGrange, Georgia, about a 40-minute drive from Atlanta, teaches visitors about the ancient Middle East and is visited by over 17,000 people annually.

The museum was founded in 2005 by an archaeologist with the goal of illuminating the historical and cultural context surrounding the Bible to encourage a more complete understanding of it. The museum has a gallery with 250 artifacts on loan from the nation of Israel. There’s also an archaeological garden with 24 life-sized exhibits that transport guests to the ancient world. The museum is not affiliated with any specific denomination or religious organization but instead is centered around the artifacts and archaeological evidence from the ancient world.

“It’s all focused on archeological findings that have taken place over the years and historical accuracies,” said Carlos Cantu, executive director of the Biblical History Center.

Groups can tour the center to see its range of interactive exhibits and experiences. Though the museum does offer a self-guided option that allows visitors to move through the gardens with a book at their own pace, the signature group experience is recommended to let them enjoy it to the fullest. This involves a guided tour of the gallery and the gardens that breaks down exhibits and brings the experiences to life.

Group experiences can end with what the museum refers to as a “compressed Seder meal.” (A Seder meal is a traditional five-course Jewish meal; while “compressed” refers to the meal being shortened from a traditional four hours to one.) This meal would be akin to the Last Supper. The entire group experience takes about three hours.

biblicalhistorycenter.com

Courtesy Archdiocese of Oklahoma City

An aerial view of the Blessed Stanley Rother Shrine

Courtesy Biblical History Center

An interpreter at the Biblical History Center

CARMEL MISSION CARMEL, CALIFORNIA

While the Revolutionary War was brewing on one side of the continent, a Franciscan Missionary, Father Junipero Serra, was founding something else entirely on the opposite side: the Mission San Carlos Borromeo de Carmelo, often known simply as the Carmel Mission. Often referred to as a founding father of California, Serra was responsible for the creation of nine Spanish Missions in this region. He was known for the zeal with which he taught the indigenous population Christian doctrine and for his pioneering mission work on the West Coast. He selected the location for and oversaw the building of several churches in Carmel from the 1770s until his death in 1784. While he didn’t live to see the building of the permanent stone basilica in 1797, Serra’s body was entombed there. He was canonized in 2015.

Today it’s the most authentically restored mission in northern California, one of the oldest stone structures in California, and a national and state historic landmark. It’s still an active parish, and a shrine to Serra can be found on site. Groups can visit the basilica for a guided or self-guided tour to appreciate the historic masonry and landscaped grounds. They can visit the basilica’s museum and store and see Serra’s grave.

Carmel-by-the-Sea is an idyllic village known for its arts and culture, as well as its scenic white-sand beach. It also offers visiting groups an abundance of locally owned restaurants and shops just blocks from the basilica. carmelmission.org

TEMPLE EMANU-EL

NEW YORK CITY

New York City is packed with massive, historic churches for groups to explore among their dizzying plethora of group tour activities. But an equally impressive and worthy tour stop is Temple Emanu-El, the first Reform synagogue in the city.

The synagogue’s origins trace back to 1845, when its congregation was formed by a small group of German-Jewish immigrants. The colorful, stately temple along Fifth Avenue, where the congregation worships today, was built in 1929 and will impress history buffs and architecture-enthusiasts alike with its colorful interior and vast size. The lofty main temple is 103 feet high, 175 feet long and 100 feet wide; it was an early example of the architectural practices of using a steel-framed structure to nullify the need for support columns.

Docent led tours are available for groups. They’ll learn about the history of the temple and the congregation it serves and see its stunning design, which includes more than 60 stained-glass windows packed with Jewish symbolism and storytelling. Other notable features along the tour include the largest synagogue organ in the world with more than 10,000 pipes, some of which are an impressive 35 feet high; the temple’s east-facing ark, with its glass and marble mosaic arch; an ornate, gold- and jewel-toned art deco mural; and the colorful, hand-painted and gilded plaster ceiling, which has been painstakingly restored.

Groups can also visit the temple’s Bernard Museum of Judaica for memorabilia. Following a synagogue tour, they can explore the rest of the nearby fabled Fifth Avenue stores and attractions. emanuelnyc.com

Photos courtesy CarmelCalifornia.com

Carmel Mission Basilica

Carmel Mission’s bell tower

Los Angeles Crusade display at the Billy Graham Library

CHAPEL IN THE HILLS RAPID CITY, SOUTH DAKOTA

Groups will find an unlikely sight in the forested land of South Dakota’s Black Hills near Rapid City: a wooden stave church against a backdrop of tall trees. The Chapel in the Hills was built in 1969 to perfectly replicate Norway’s Borgund Stave Church, which was built in 1150 and is the most complete stave church still standing in the country.

A religious radio host in the 1960s decided to build the church to expand his ministry and radio show; the architectural style pays homage to the original Lutheran Norwegian settlers in the Dakotas and surrounding areas. One of the only differences between the Borgund Stave Church and the Chapel in the Hills is the presence of electricity that allows the chapel to host evening services.

“You feel your soul at ease when you walk the property grounds,” said Tyson Steiger, director of sales and services at Visit Rapid City. “It’s peaceful and unique in all regards. It’s not a roadside attraction. It’s free to go there. It is one of those places that’s the real deal.”

The chapel’s campus also features a serene prayer walk with statues and a visitor center, as well as an authentic grass-roofed stabbur constructed in Norway. Groups can arrange guided tours of the church to learn about its history and the history of the church it replicates. They’ll also enjoy the Norwegian architectural features and hand-carved wooden details. The church hosts services welcoming guests on Wednesday evenings during the summer, but groups can arrange private services and events as well. The chapel is just a couple blocks from Canyon Lake, a lake on Rapid Creek with a lodge, a pavilion and plenty of outdoor recreation in the Black Hills. After exploring the chapel, groups can enjoy a day on the lake or a meal at the lodge.

chapel-in-the-hills.com

Courtesy Visit Rapid City

The Chapel in the Hills

MADE INDIANA IN

DISCOVER CREATORS AND COMMERCE ON THIS HOOSIER STATE ITINERARY

Courtesy Greater Kokomo Visitors Bureau

Courtesy Indiana Office of Tourism Development

Courtesy LaGrange County Convention and Visitors Bureau

Clockwise from top: glass casting at the Kokomo Opalescent Glass Factory; cheeses from Heritage Ridge Creamery; South Bend Chocolate Factory

BY RACHEL CRICK

Traversing Indiana is akin to unearthing a treasure chest. An eclectic assortment of products found in American homes and businesses can be traced back to the Hoosier state. It’s a production hub for goods ranging from Amish furniture to recreational vehicles, as well as more obscure finds, like shimmering stained glass and natural perfume. Foodies will also be delighted to find their fair share of treats throughout the state.

This itinerary highlights some of Indiana’s most distinct products and shows groups how they’re made with factory and shop tours in Amish Country and its surrounding towns. It starts in northern Indiana in South Bend then heads east to Elkhart and Shipshewana before turning south for stops in Ligonier and Kokomo. Group leaders should allow five days to explore the plentiful bounty this rich land has to offer.

SOUTH BEND

HIGHLIGHT | INDIANA’S LARGEST CHOCOLATE COMPANY

South Bend Chocolate Company has been satisfying each visitor’s sweet tooth since its founding in 1991. Its 58,000-square-foot factory, museum and store in South Bend is Indiana’s largest chocolate company and home to one of the largest chocolate memorabilia collections in the world. Chocolate-covered pretzels, coffee and chocolate-covered cherries are among the thousands of sweet treats lining the shelves of the factory’s outlet store.

The Inside Scoop Tour lets factory guests see how the chocolate is made at every step from the planning to the candies being coated in creamy chocolate. Visitors also get to dip a chocolate spoon and enjoy samples on the tour. Afterward, groups can visit the museum to learn about the company’s history and the history of chocolate with a selection of artifacts and exhibits, including a Mayan chocolate pot. They can round out their visit with a stop at the factory’s store to grab lunch and some chocolate of their own.

WHILE YOU’RE THERE: South Bend is home to many other attractions suitable for groups, including the Studebaker National Museum, a vintage automobile museum with about 120 vehicles. With 400 species of animals, the Potawatomi Zoo is another favorite. Groups can visit the city’s multiple art museums, explore Notre Dame’s campus and peruse downtown’s shops and restaurants.

HIGHLIGHT | A TOP-SELLING RV COMPANY

Elkhart County is known as the RV Capital of the World for a reason — 80% of the country’s recreational vehicles are manufactured there. Groups can see this process with a factory tour of one of the area’s many RV plants. Plant tours are a great way to learn about one of the area’s most prevalent industries and how it ties into the community, from incorporating locally made Amish cabinetry into the RVs to using the state’s abundant infrastructure to transport them.

Thor Motor Coach has multiple plants in Elkhart for visiting groups to tour. They’ll see how the company makes RVs at every stage, from building an RV’s chassis, or framework, to installing its cabinetry, to testing it against weather. These intricate processes involve skilled laborers in many lines of work, and on a factory tour, groups can see some of that work in action.

WHILE YOU’RE THERE: RV enthusiasts can also head to the nearby RV/Mobile Home Hall of Fame and Museum for a deeper appreciation of the industry, but Elkhart is also located in the heart of Indiana’s Amish country. Groups should take advantage of that with visits to shingle shops, small Amish shops that crop up on the area’s roads. They can also arrange an in-home Amish meal for some comforting cuisine by lantern light, stop at an Amish-style restaurant and visit the Quilt Gardens, 17 stunning quilt-themed gardens on the county’s Heritage Trail.

KOKOMO HIGHLIGHT | AMERICA’S OLDEST PRODUCER OF ART GLASS

Opalescent glass is a term for opaque glass. Kokomo Opalescent Glass, a glass factory and retailer, also creates cathedral glass, as seen in stained-glass windows in many houses of worship. It’s the glass used in many Tiffany lamps and light fixtures — in fact, Tiffany was one of the largest customers of the Opalescent Glass Factory, and the Kokomo company is still a main source for Tiffany restorations. This glass company was founded in 1888, making it one of the oldest as well as the leading producer of glass products. In addition to art glass for wholesalers, the factory makes gift items such as glass lamps, bowls, paper weights and more.

Groups can visit Kokomo Opalescent Glass for a factory tour. They’ll put on their safety gear to head behind the scenes and watch glass being made using the same processes that have been used since the factory’s founding. Visitors will watch glass blowers create distinct pieces and will finish up the tour with a complimentary gift from the factory.

WHILE YOU’RE THERE: Art is central to Kokomo, which has several galleries and art centers downtown for visitors to check out. Downtown also features a collection of boutiques and shops, including Kokomo Toys and Collectibles, antique malls and flea markets. The city’s attractions also include the Elwood Haynes Museum, which covers the Kokomo resident known for unique inventions and design.

MORE INFO | visitkokomo.org

LIGONIER HIGHLIGHT | THE ONLY ALL-AMERICAN PERFUMERY

What makes the Annie Oakley Natural Perfumery distinct is its use of all natural ingredients exclusively sourced in the U.S. This unassuming perfumery in Ligonier is the only perfumery in the country whose products all come from America. Founded in 1980, it produces a line of fragrances, bath products, essential oils and more, which are sold at retailers around the country. The perfumery has sold over 2 million bottles of fragrances.

Groups can visit Annie Oakley Natural Perfumery to learn about the company’s history and see how perfumes are made. They’ll visit the perfume studio, watch the blending and bottling process, and sample the fragrances, including some products not yet released to the public. Groups will also have the opportunity to create their own personal fragrance at the perfumery’s mixing bar. Then, they can walk around the gift shop and purchase their own fragrances and gifts to take home.

WHILE YOU’RE THERE: The small community of Ligonier has plenty of history to explore at the Ligonier Visitor Center and Heritage Station Museum. Stone’s Tavern, a 19th century tavern that now houses a historical society, is the site of the Annual Pioneer Festival. Groups can enjoy a comforting, hearthside dinner at the tavern served by historical reenactors. Ligonier also has plenty of parks, gardens, shopping and restaurants to enjoy. MORE INFO |

Factory workers ladling hot glass

A sign at Annie Oakley Natural Perfumery

A tour of Annie Oakley Natural Perfumery

Courtesy Greater Kokomo Visitors Bureau

Courtesy Annie Oakley Natural Perfumery

Courtesy Annie Oakley Natural Perfumery

Courtesy Indiana Office of Tourism Development

Chocolates at South Bend Chocolate Factory

SHIPSHEWANA HIGHLIGHT | AN AMISH COUNTRY CREAMERY

Halfway between Shipshewana and Middlebury, Heritage Ridge Creamery is an Amish creamery founded by in 1979 by an Amish man. The shop and cheese factory is housed in a large red barn and is now a popular stop for anyone visiting the Shipshewana area. The creamery gets its milk from a dairy farming cooperative made up of familyoperated farms in the area. It uses this milk to make a variety of cheeses, from Colby to cheddar to pepper jack, as well as butter.

Visitors to Heritage Ridge Creamery can look behind the scenes to watch the cheese production process. Groups can sample the cheeses and peruse the creamery’s shops, which contains several other local Amish goodies like meats, salsas, pickled products and candies.

WHILE YOU’RE THERE: Shipshewana has no shortage of Amishmade products, many of which can be found at the Shipshewana Flea Market, the largest outdoor flea market in the Midwest. Groups can find bargains on food, antiques, quilts, jewelry and more. Another major attraction in Shipshewana is the Blue Gate Theater and Restaurant, where groups can enjoy a theater production and a hearty homemade meal.

Heritage Ridge Creamery

A tour group at Heritage Ridge Creamery

Photos courtesy LaGrange County Convention and Visitors Bureau

SNAP TRAVEL SHOT

JOPLIN, MISSOURI

Joplin, Missouri, puts the heart in heartland.

This gem of a city brings people together from across the country — literally.

“Joplin is a crossroads of the U.S.,” said Kerstin Landwer, assistant CVB director and director of sales at Visit Joplin, MO. Located directly on Route 66, Joplin is where the historic route meets two interstates and where the nearby borders of Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas converge. This town is home to a vibrant past and over 200 restaurants and museums that can’t be found anywhere else (World’s Largest Small Appliance Museum, anyone?). The newly opened Harry M. Cornell Arts and Entertainment Complex offers ample opportunity to gather and experience the arts, and the downtown Arts District’s mural collection features joy around every corner. With several charming towns across the Kansas border just a few minutes to the west and the magical Ozark mountains beckoning to the east, groups that want to expand their trip to

BY CLAIRE HANNUM

see more of the local region will find plenty to do.

This historic locale has seen it all: mining booms, visits from legendary outlaws and times of unspeakable hardship, like the devastating tornado that tore through the city in 2011. “Joplin is a very resilient community,” said Landwer of the storm that destroyed a third of the city. In the days after the tornado, many children in town reported seeing beautiful creatures they called “butterfly people,” hovering protectively over survivors and their families. Today, the spirit of the butterfly people continues in local art and community stories. That’s the kind of place Joplin is — a tight knit community full of wonder, resilience and unshakeable faith.

Of course, Joplin’s history with faith goes back to day one; it’s named after Methodist missionary and early city settler Reverend Harris Joplin. The city offers Sacred Places tours for groups that feature stops at historic churches and places of worship in the community. Here are four Joplin highlights that make great additions to group tours.

All photos courtesy Visit Joplin

Top: Route 66, which runs through the heart of Joplin, is memorialized with a mural downtown.

Bottom: Spiva Center for the Arts

ROUTE 66

Route 66 crosses directly through Joplin’s downtown Main Street, on a prized stretch of the highway that can take drivers through three states in just one day. Joplin is such a fixture on the route that it gets a mention in the lyrics of “(Get Your Kicks On) Route 66.” Bonnie and Clyde took Route 66 to Joplin during their infamous crime spree and chose the city as a hiding place for several weeks — and they’re just two of the thousands of travelers who’ve made their way down this stretch of famous highway. When passing through Joplin, Route 66 offers a great opportunity for local step-on guides to share its history and paint a vivid picture of what road trips through Joplin looked like in decades past.

GEORGE WASHINGTON CARVER NATIONAL MONUMENT

Just outside Joplin is George Washington Carver National Monument, the first national park to be dedicated to an African American. Carver was born into slavery near the end of the Civil War and ultimately became an agricultural scientist, teacher and activist who invented over 300 peanut products. His work was the catalyst for the widespread introduction of peanut butter across the U.S. Carver lived a life of hard work, creativity and devoted Christian faith. At the park, groups can view a statue in Carver’s honor and visit the home where he was born. The site also offers a presentation on Carver’s many accomplishments, hands-on exhibits about early 20th-century American life and an opportunity for guests to make their very own peanut butter.

SPIVA CENTER FOR THE ARTS

This arts hub has been a Joplin fixture since 1947. Now located inside the glimmering newly opened Cornell Arts and Entertainment Complex, Spiva offers rotating exhibits featuring the works of local and global talents. Spiva also holds the distinction of hosting the oldest continually running photography contest west of the Mississippi, PhotoSpiva. The center includes gathering spaces for large groups, offers art classes and sells original pieces by talented local and regional artists.

A Cornell Arts Complex event

A statue at George Washington Carver National Monument

Joplin City Hall

Sculptures at the Cornell Arts Complex

JOPLIN MURALS

Downtown Joplin is adorned with murals that highlight its history and values. There are 10 viewing spots throughout the town, featuring 20 murals created by artists from all walks of life. The city is especially proud to display the last signed mural by famed artist Thomas Hart Benton. The 1972 mural, “Joplin at the Turn of the Century 18961906,” was dedicated to the city to mark its 100th birthday. The mural depicts the city’s spirit and energy in 1900 and is housed in Joplin City Hall. City Hall also houses the work of Benton’s grandson, Anthony Guide.

VISITJOPLINMO.COM

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“Black History and Performing Arts”

“Belonging to All the Hands Who Build”

“Joplin at the Turn of the Century 1896-1906” by artist Thomas Hart Benton

PERSPECTIVES PRESIDENTIAL

BY JILL GLEESON

Whether you’re leading a group filled with history buffs, trueblue patriots or simply folks curious about the men who have steered this country since its birth, presidential landmarks offer a peek behind the curtain of one of the most powerful offices on the planet.

These sites tell the compelling stories of our nation’s great leaders, exploring their personalities and backgrounds, as well as the events that shaped their tenures in the Oval Office — and the fate of the free world. Spread throughout the United States, the following locations range from a legendary national monument to a spectacular presidential library, as well as a few fascinating former homes of our country’s change makers. They’re all such crowd-pleasers you just might find your group joining in a chorus of “Hail to the Chief” after a visit.

THESE SITES OFFER A LOOK INSIDE THE LIVES OF HISTORIC LEADERS

Courtesy AR Dept. of Parks & Tourism

Courtesy Clinton Foundation

Courtesy Lincoln Home National Historic Site

The Clinton Presidential Center in Little Rock tells the story of the 20th century’s last president.

A student group in the re-created Cabinet Room at the Clinton Presidential Center

Abraham Lincoln’s home in Springfield

MOUNT RUSHMORE NATIONAL MEMORIAL RAPID CITY, SOUTH DAKOTA

One of America’s most iconic attractions, Mount Rushmore National Memorial is an undeniably showstopping sight. Rising up a granite mountainside in the Black Hills of South Dakota, the massive monument depicts the faces of presidents George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln and Theodore Roosevelt. Each likeness, carved mostly by dynamite, measures some 60 feet tall. The project, which kicked off in 1927 and was completed in 1941, required not only the talents of celebrated sculptor Gutzon Borglum, but nearly 400 workers.

Today, the memorial hosts 2 million visitors a year.

“We hear ‘This is on my bucket list’ every day,” said Earl Perez-Foust, Mount Rushmore’s interpretation and education program manager. “Just the other day there was a woman who came to the visitor center, and she was in tears. She said, ‘I’ve been trying to get here for 42 years.’ The sculpture is an extraordinary achievement that people want to see.”

Programs available to groups vary depending on the season but may include ranger talks and tours. Otherwise, the visitor center features a 15-minute film as well as exhibits about Rushmore’s presidents and the sculpture’s early carving period. The Sculptor’s Studio, open from May to October, includes an impressive 1/12th scale model of Mount Rushmore, while the photo-ready Avenue of Flags grandly flies all of the nation’s state flags. nps.gov/moru

WILLIAM J. CLINTON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS

Located in Little Rock, Arkansas, the William J. Clinton Presidential Library and Museum offers groups a perspective that no other place can, according to Ben Thielemier, senior manager of communications and marketing.

“It’s the only place where you can experience history at the end of the 20th century, into the 21st century, through the lens of a presidential administration that had incredible success in improving the economy and education, and putting people first,” he said. “President Clinton was very much focused on thinking about how we find common ground and move forward together, so there are important lessons here that are still very applicable to our world today.”

Popular museum exhibits sure to engage group visitors include a full-scale replica of the Oval Office, where visitors are welcome to sit behind the Resolute Desk for a winning photo op. There’s also a reproduction of the White House Cabinet Room featuring interactive exhibits built into the table that recount Clinton Administration Cabinet members and major decisions made during the Clinton presidency.

The library and museum are part of the Clinton Presidential Center, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary next year, though details of any events marking the occasion have yet to be released. The center welcomes groups with reduced rates and tours led by its famously hospitable docents.

clintonlibrary.org

LINCOLN HOME NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS

Unquestionably our nation’s greatest president, Abraham Lincoln spent 17 years in a Springfield, Illinois, house, which offers free guided tours for groups with reservations made through the city’s convention and visitors bureau. Eight rooms, including the president’s bedroom, a formal parlor and a dining room are on display, while the visitor center offers a 25-minute film and changing Lincolnrelated exhibits. According to Timothy Good, the site’s superintendent, visitors

usually spend an hour or two there, learning about the life of the man who held our country together during its darkest hour.

“We typically describe the home as the only one Abraham and Mary ever owned,” Good said of the historical treasure. “When they move into the house, he’s relatively unknown, just starting to get into law practice. But over time he rises to become one of the most prominent Republicans in the state. And it was in the house that he was officially informed that he had won the Republican nomination, and it was also while living here that he found out that he had won the 1860 presidential election.”

The home, which has been fully restored to its 1860 appearance, is surrounded by a four-block historic area groups may also want to wander. It contains 13 other houses that date from the Lincoln era, including several with exhibits. nps.gov/liho

EISENHOWER NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE GETTYSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA

Purchased as a retirement home by Dwight Eisenhower and his wife, Mamie, in 1950, the bucolic 189-acre Pennsylvania farm on the edge of the Gettysburg Battlefield would soon host movers and shakers from around the globe.

“History kept calling,” said Alyce Evans, Eisenhower National Historic Site guide, “and General Eisenhower would become our 34th president in 1953. So, this retirement home was transformed into a presidential retreat for the eight years he was in office. He used it as a great tool for diplomacy, bringing a lot of very important world leaders here, including Winston Churchill and Nikita Khrushchev.”

The site, which is open seasonally, on certain days, provides an unparalleled look into both the political and private lives of the popular World War II hero, whom many historians now rank as one of our finest presidents. Leaders should note that ranger talks and tours are available to group visitors, but there is no on-site bus parking. Groups are usually shuttled over from the Gettysburg Tour Center.

The extra step is worth it. Along with the house, sights include a show barn detailing Eisenhower’s prize-winning Angus operation, as well as the old milk house, which was turned into the Secret Security headquarters. The garage showcases vehicles used by the Eisenhowers, including a 1955 Crown Imperial limousine.

nps.gov/eise

Courtesy NPS

By Mary O’Neill, courtesy Eisenhower National Historic Site

Dwight Eisenhower’s automobile at Eisenhower National Historic Site

Mount Rushmore

JIMMY CARTER NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK PLAINS, GEORGIA

Groups in search of a heaping dose of inspiration should look no further than the Jimmy Carter National Historical Park, a multi-site landmark established in Plains, Georgia, in 1987. It encompasses not only the school that Jimmy and his wife, Roselyn, attended more than 80 years ago — which now contains a museum and visitor center — but also the former train depot that served as his 1976 presidential campaign headquarters. In 2000, the farm the president and Nobel Peace Prize winner was raised on was added to the park.

Taken together, these simple spots, homey and unassuming, prove that the American dream of equal opportunity for all is still alive and well in America.

“Little Jimmy’s teacher told him that he could grow up to be president one day, and he took that seriously and he did,” said Jill Stuckey, the park’s superintendent. “It shows that even this poor farm boy from south Georgia could become president, so his story is encouraging for anybody to know they can do just about anything if they set their mind to it.”

Stuckey notes the park can provide special tours and programs focusing on different facets of the beloved president who made faith and family a priority. She also recommends groups begin their visit in style, with a trip to Plains aboard the historic SAM Shortline Railroad, which originates in Cordele, Georgia.

nps.gov/jica

Grammy and Dove Award Winning Artist Jason Crabb

Photos courtesy NPS/JICA

Scenes from the museum and farm at Jimmy Carter National Historical Park

HOLY GROUND

THESE OLD TESTAMENT SITES ARE LANDMARKS OF AN ANCIENT FAITH

BY DIANA BOCCO

The Old Testament is more than just a chronicle of faith; it’s a tapestry of stories that transport readers to another era, to lands shaped by divine interventions and legendary leaders. Set against a backdrop of eternal beauty, each landscape is a tangible step back in time, a place where the biblical world unfurls before your eyes.

Even in places that may seem remote, the significance of ancient prophets and their timeless truths and lessons is ever present. Navigating these captivating locales, visitors can deeply immerse themselves in the stories of the Old Testament.

Shepherd’s Field in Bethlehem is believed to be the place Ruth and Boaz met in the Old Testament.

Courtesy JTBNA

A sculpture and historic church atop Jordan’s Mount Nebo

Courtesy Palestinian Tourism Board

MOUNT NEBO, JORDAN

High above the lands of Jordan lies Mount Nebo, a serene expanse of earth and sky. According to the Old Testament, Moses spent his final days here, climbing the mountain’s rugged terrain to gaze upon the Promised Land.

“Moses died and was buried here in Moab by God himself,” says Zina Ammari, trade partnerships manager for the Jordan Tourism Board, “but the site of his grave remains unknown.”

Today, visitors can stand on the same grounds and breathe in the panoramic vistas Moses gazed at across the river to Canaan. Although the small fourth century church built here by early Christians no longer exists, visitors can still see some of the stones from that church in their original place in the wall around the apse.

“The new limestone and pale wood church houses more than 8,600 square feet of beautiful mosaics,” Ammari said. “And the Serpentine Cross statue nearby stands tall as both a symbol of the serpent taken by Moses in the desert and the cross on which Jesus was crucified.”

Outside, visitors can use a viewing platform to enjoy panoramic views of the Holy Land around the Jordan Valley, the Dead Sea and the distant hills of Jerusalem. After sharing prayers in the on-site chapel, groups can explore the intricate mosaics, artifacts and rich historical archives preserved at the church.

MOUNT SINAI, EGYPT

Deep within the rugged terrains of Egypt, Mount Sinai is where heaven touched earth. It was here that God, among thunder, lightning and the blare of a trumpet handed Moses the Ten Commandments.

Today, Mount Sinai beckons pilgrims and adventurers alike. At the mountain’s foot, the sixth century St. Catherine’s Monastery offers church groups a serene haven for reflection. This is where Moses saw the burning bush and heard the voice of God, as well as where he met his future wife, Zipporah, near a well. The “Well of Moses” is still here and remains one of the monastery’s primary sources of water. A bramble (prickly shrub) in the monastery’s courtyard is believed to be the original holy bush seen by Moses and can be approached as long as visitors take their shoes off — just as Moses once did.

Climbing Mount Sinai, especially in the predawn hours, offers an ethereal experience — a blend of mysticism, history and the grandeur of nature. Church groups can retrace Moses’ steps in the two-hour hike to the top under the guidance of a professional Bedouin guide (solo hikes are not allowed) and stand where Moses once did, eyes to the sky, to hear the voice of God.

RED SEA, EGYPT

The blue stretch of the Red Sea cradles the story of a miraculous Exodus. According to the Old Testament, Moses parted these very waters, paving a path for the Israelites to escape captivity in search of the Promised Land. The general consensus is that the parting of the seas likely occurred at the northern end of the Gulf of Suez, not far from Mount Sinai — a place where sandy plains and rocky outcrops meet the sparkling waters of the gulf.

Today’s Red Sea is a vibrant hub of activity, from diving among the corals to cruising on its serene surface. While many come here for the modern attractions, the waters also whisper ancient tales to those in quiet contemplation, painting vivid images of biblical miracles.

Groups can charter boat tours, combining biblical reflections with the natural beauty of the sea. The serene beaches are an ideal spot for gatherings, prayer sessions or simply contemplating the miracle of the waters. For those wanting to retrace Moses’ steps, guided tours are a better option to help history come alive as visitors stand on the spot where the seas once parted.

JERUSALEM, ISRAEL

The golden city of Jerusalem, with its tangled cobblestone alleys and sacred domes, is steeped in history and spirituality. It’s here that Abraham willingly agreed to God’s request to sacrifice his only son, Isaac.

“That’s at the Temple Mount, where David purchased the threshing floor of Aruna, the location where Isaac was supposed to be sacrificed until God intervened,” said Matthew Ryan Tally, Israel Ministry of Tourism’s public relations director for the Midwest Region.

Courtesy IMOT Courtesy JTBNA

Mount Nebo at Sunset

Overlooking Jerusalem’s Old City

Today, Jerusalem’s Old City reverberates with prayers from synagogues, mosques and churches. Every stone and every cobbled path of Jerusalem holds a story, making it an unparalleled experience for any traveler. Jerusalem has changed little over the past few thousand years, and many of the spots mentioned in the Old Testament can still be visited.

Groups should start their visit at the Haas Promenade, Jerusalem’s most famous lookout point.

“Tradition has it that this is the place from which Abraham saw Mt. Moriah, the Temple Mount, where he was to bind his son, Isaac,” said Tally. “It’s such a beautiful vista, like a landscape museum. There are olive trees all over; there are stone walkways; and there are wonderful outcroppings.”

Up on Temple Mount, where the Ark of the Covenant once stood, visitors can tour the grounds, admire the beauty of the Dome of the Rock and find spiritual treasures at every turn.

“Whenever I go up there, it’s the center of the universe, where everything is,” said Tally. “I feel the presence of God personally when I go up because it’s where His eye is always fixed; it’s where His name was placed for forever.”

BETHLEHEM, WEST BANK

Nestled within the West Bank’s rolling hills, Bethlehem is most commonly associated with the New Testament and usually considered Jesus’ birthplace. However, Bethlehem’s history goes back thousands of years to the ancient tales of Rachel, who in Genesis marries Jacob — whose sons would become the leaders of the Twelve Tribes of Israel. It was also here that we first meet Ruth, the great-grandmother of King David, who would go on to kill Goliath and become a holy prophet and the third king of the Kingdom of Israel.

Once a tranquil pastoral town, today’s Bethlehem is a fusion of the ancient and the modern, filled with narrow alleys brimming with local crafts, sounds of church bells and the allure of age-old traditions. For groups searching for Bethlehem’s biblical charm, Rachel’s Tomb, right next to the northern entrance to the Palestinian city of Bethlehem, is an important stop.

Although best known as the spot where the announcement of Jesus’ birth to the shepherds by the angels took place, Shepherd’s Field is also the area where widower Ruth gathered barley to feed herself and her former mother-in-law, Naomi, and where she would eventually meet Boaz, a rich landowner who would become her second husband.

For church groups, guided tours can help bring the city’s biblical landmarks to life. Participating in local prayer sessions or organizing group readings in this backdrop adds layers to the spiritual experience.

Ruins of the temple in Jerusalem

The preserved site of a Mount Nebo church in Jordan

Historic mosaics inside the church on Mount Nebo, where Moses overlooked the promised land

“That’s at the Temple Mount, where David purchased the threshing floor of Aruna, the location where Isaac was supposed to be sacrificed until God intervened.”

— MATTHEW RYAN TALLEY, ISRAEL MINISTRY OF TOURISM

Courtesy IMOT

Courtesy JTBNA