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Exploring Nature Together: Canoeing, Hiking, Biking and More!

Program Number: 20351RJ
Start and End Dates:
6/23/2013 - 6/28/2013;
Duration: 5 nights
Location: Tustin, Michigan
Price starting at: $651.00 - Price may vary based on date, departure city
Program Type: Intergenerational; Water Sports
Intergenerational 		Activity Level: t (see description)
Meals: 15; 5 Breakfasts, 5 Lunches, 5 Dinners    
Meal Options: Gluten Free; Low Salt; Low Fat; Vegetarian    

Program intended for grandchildren from 11 - 14 years of age.

Explore, play and learn together with your grandchild as you tackle outdoor challenges while enjoying the beauty of Northern Michigan. Canoe, kayak, try a low ropes course, bicycle, geocache, learn to read a map and compass, try your hand at archery, disc golf and more. Field trips have us canoeing the scenic Manistee River and biking on the White Pine Linear State Park as we hone our new skills.




Highlights

• Bike from Tustin to Cadillac, stopping to find geocaches, wildflowers and “birding by bike.”
• Learn canoeing skills with a certified lifeguard and instructor, then canoe the scenic Manistee River with experienced river guides.
• Enjoy the low ropes team building course learning about your and your grandchild’s strengths and challenges.



Activity Particulars

Walking up to two miles on rolling terrain. Paddling canoe up to two hours, leisurely pace. Bicycling up to two hours, flat terrain.



All equipment provided. Personal fishing equipment welcome. Health and parental consent forms due prior to arrival.




Date Specific Information

6-23-2013

Enjoy the latest in hearing technology — listening devices — on this date.



Coordinated by Kettunen Center.




Tustin

Tustin, a small village in northwest Michigan, was incorporated in 1893 and today is a perfect stopping point for those en route to one of the area’s recreational destinations, which include many trout streams and family-friendly rivers for canoeing.
Accommodations
Tranquil modern conference facility on Center Lake. Arboretum onsite.
Meals and Lodgings
   Kettunen Center
  Tustin, Michigan 5 nights
 Kettunen Center
Type: Conference Center
  Description: Enjoy the spectacular beauty of Northwest Michigan at Kettunen Center, a modern adult conference facility located on peaceful Center Lake near Tustin, 12 miles south of Cadillac. Surrounded by 160 acres of rolling hills and forests, it includes an arboretum and miles of hiking trails with a variety of outdoor seasonal activities available to guests. The Center's natural beauty and serenity, along with a professional staff, ensure an enjoyable stay. Classes taught by local experts.
  Contact info: 14901 4-H Drive
Tustin, MI 49663 USA
phone: 231-829-3421
web: www.kettunencenter.org/lodging.html
  Room amenities: Coffee maker.
  Facility amenities: Walking trails.
  Smoking allowed: Yes
  Elevators available: Yes
  Additional nights prior: $80.50 Family Rate Additional nights are available if space allows. Exact pricing depends on number of adults and youth and meals would be at an additional charge. Please contact the center at least 2 weeks in advance to make a reservation.
  Check in time: 2:30 PM
  Additional nights after: $80.50 Family Rate Additional nights are available if space allows. Exact pricing depends on number of adults and youth and meals would be at an additional charge. Please contact the center at least 2 weeks in advance to make a reservation.
  Check out time: 1:00 PM


Travel Details
  Start of Program:
Check in between 2:30 - 4:00 pm. Road Scholar orientation, tour and get-acquainted activities begin at 4:30 pm. Dinner is served from 5:30-6:30 pm. You will be staying at Kettunen Center that night.
  End of Program:
Check out by 10:00am. Lunch at 12:00pm. Independent departures after lunch. You will be staying at Kettunen Center the night before.
  Required documents:
The Road Scholar Health & Safety Form is required. Completed health form and parental consent form returned to coordinator prior to arrival.
  Parking availability:
Free parking on site.
Transportation
To Start of Program
  Location:  Tustin, Michigan
  Nearest city or town:  Tustin, MI.
  Nearest highway: US 131
  Nearest airport:  Grand Rapids, MI (GRR)
  From End of Program
  Location: Tustin, Michigan
    (Additional transportation information same as above)
Travel Details
 

Traverse City - Cherry Capital Airport

 

From Airport

 
 

Service:

 

Car Rentals
Advanced Reservations Required

 

Per Person/One Way:

 

Car rental rates average $45/day
Prices are subject to change.
 

Travel Time:

 

During airport hours of operations 
 

Distance:

 

Kettunen Center is approximately 60 miles south
   

Cherry Capital Airport has a limited number of car rentals available during this time and advanced reservations are highly recommended. It is sometimes cheaper to fly into Traverse City than GRR. Travel time is approximately 1 hour.
 

Grand Rapids

 

From Airport

 
 

Service:

 

Car Rentals
The major car rentals are at the airport
Advanced Reservations Required

 

Travel Time:

 

car rental desks are open when airport is open 
 

Distance:

 

100 miles from Kettunen Center. Driving time is approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes
   

Car rental rates average $45/day. Kettunen Center is approximately 100 miles north of Grand Rapids on US 131 and driving time is about 1 hour and 45 minutes.
 

Lansing/Lansing

 

 
 

Service:

 

Car Rentals
Advanced Reservations Required

 

Per Person/One Way:

 

Average $45/day
Prices are subject to change.
 

Travel Time:

 

Open during airport operation 
 

Distance:

 

Lansing is approximately 100 miles north.
   

Driving time from Lansing to Kettunen Center is approximately one hour and 45 minutes. Sometimes cheaper flights can be found flying into Lansing rather than GRR (Gerald R. Ford International Airport) in Grand Rapids, MI.
 
Driving Directions
  Grand Rapids area Take U.S. 131 north (approximately 90 miles) to exit 168 (Tustin). Turn right and go 5 miles to 145th Avenue (just past Center Lake Bible Camp). Turn left. Follow road around to the left into Kettunen Center.
  Lansing Take U.S. 27 north just past Clare to U.S. 10 west. Travel about 8 miles to the M-115 (Cadillac) exit, turn right. Stay on M-115 for approximately 25 miles and turn left on 20 Mile Road (yellow flashing light) towards Tustin. Travel about 8 miles to 145th Avenue and turn right. Follow road around to the left into Kettunen Center.
  Northern Michigan Take I-75 south to U.S. 27 south to M-55 west to U.S. 131 south. Go approximately 8 miles to exit 168 (Tustin). Turn left (east) 5 miles to 145th Avenue (just past Center Lake Bible Camp). Turn left. Follow road around to the left into Kettunen Center.
  Southeast Michigan Take I-75 north to Bay City, go west on U.S. 10 to Clare. After you merge with U.S. 27 (just past Clare), stay in right lane and follow U.S. 10 to M-115 (Cadillac) exit. Stay on M-115 for approximately 25 miles and turn left on 20 Miles Road (yellow flashing light) towards Tustin. Travel about 8 miles to 145th Avenue and turn right. Follow road around to the left into Kettunen Center.
Equipment Requirements: All equipment provided. Kettunen Center provides basic rods and reels, if participants want to bring personal fishing equipment, that is recommended for furthering your skills.
The prices listed for commercial services and facilities that are not included in the program cost, such as airport shuttles or extra nights lodging, are subject to change without notice. Since Road Scholar cannot guarantee the accuracy of these prices, we strongly suggest contacting the companies directly for the most up-to-date information.


Daily Schedule

Day 1: Welcome/Get-Acquainted Activities/ Team Buidling and Challenges, Collaborative Games for Everyone
(Sunday, June 23)
   
 Afternoon: Registration 2:30-4:30 PM, check in at the front desk. Welcome/Orientation/Tour at 4:30 pm.
 Dinner: Dinner at 5:30 - 6:30 p.m.
 Evening: Start off the week with a group photo. Get to know fellow participants through get-acquainted games and team building activities. Night hike optional.
   
Accommodations: Kettunen Center
Meals Included: Dinner

Day 2: Journal Making, Disc Golf, Low Ropes Course, Swimming and Boating, Presentation on Michigan's Early Settlers, recreational time
(Monday, June 24)

Note: Recreation time for kids means free time for grandparents. Youth are supervised by Kettunen Center staff at the waterfront or in recreational activities for 1-2 hours daily.
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast at 8:00 AM.
 Morning: Make a homemade journal using natural materials to record your week's experiences and family stories. Everyone will make their own personal nature journal and learn how to record thoughts, feelings and memories through writing and drawing exercises. Learn how to play Disc Golf and enjoy using your new skills on our 9-hole course.
 Lunch: Lunch at 12:00 PM in the dining hall.
 Afternoon: Kayaking and canoeing skills will be taught by a Certified American Red Cross lifeguard and canoeing instructor. Continue with team building skills on our low ropes course. Swimming and boating with a certified lifeguard on duty. Free time for grandparents.
 Dinner: Dinner at 5:30 PM.
 Evening: Presentation by a local historian on Michigan's Early Settlers, the logging era, native American culture and the early railroad era. Free time to swim, boat and fish on Center Lake. Supervised recreational time for grandchildren, free time for grandparents.
   
Accommodations: Kettunen Center
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3: Compass and mapping, Survival Skills, Presentation on Michigan wildflowers along the White Pine Bicycle Trail.
(Tuesday, June 25)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast at 8:00 AM.
 Morning: Compass and map skills will be taught so that participants, working as a team with their family members, will succeed on our Outdoor Survivor Challenge on Friday. Survival skills - such as shelter making, and fire building will also be taught.
 Lunch: Lunch at 12:00 PM.
 Afternoon: Kayak and canoeing skills will be continued in preparation for our trip off-site to the Manistee River. We'll have our last team building session on our low ropes course. Recreation time for kids/free time for grandparents (Water Games! for kids occurs late afternoon.)
 Dinner: Dinner at 5:30 PM.
 Evening: Local naturalist will present a program on Wildflowers on the White Pine Trail where the group will be bicycling on Wednesday. Free time afterwards for swimming, boating, and fishing. Campfire with s'mores along the lake shore.
   
Accommodations: Kettunen Center
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4: Kayaking/Canoeing the Manistee River/GPS (Global Positioning Systems)/Archery/ Concert with Local Folk Musicians
(Wednesday, June 26)

Note: Half of the group will canoe/kayak the Manistee River in the morning and the other half will kayak/canoe the Manistee River in the afternoon.
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast at 8:00 AM.
 Morning: Half of the group will float the scenic Manistee River during an approximate 2-hour paddle on a leisurely, quiet segment of the river, under the leadership of experienced river guides. The other half will learn about Global Positioning Systems and how to use a handheld unit. We'll use our new skills on our 15 waypoint GPS challenge course in preparation for finding Geocaches along the White Pine Trail.
 Lunch: Lunch at noon.
 Afternoon: The other half of the group will float the scenic Manistee River with an approximate 2-hour paddle on a leisurely, quiet segment of the river, under the leadership of experienced river guides. The other half will learn about Global Positioning Systems and how to use a handheld unit. We'll use our new skills on our 15 waypoint GPS challenge course in preparation for finding Geocaches along the White Pine Trail.
 Dinner: Dinner at 5:30 PM.
 Evening: Supervised recreational times for kids! Archery with an experienced instructor. Enjoy a live concert with a local folk group "Lake Effect" who specialize in telling stories through their music and lyrics. Concert around the campfire if weather permits.
   
Accommodations: Kettunen Center
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5: Biking the White Pine Trail/Fishing/Horseshoes/Shuffle Board/Discovery Hike and Environmental Games/Swimming and boating/Storytelling and Talent Night/Campfire with s'mores and a night hike
(Thursday, June 27)

Note: One half the group will be biking the White Pine Linear Trail from Tustin to Cadillac, approximately 12 miles. Along the trail, the grandparent/grandchild teams will be using their handheld GPS units to find Geocaches, identifying wildflowers and birding by bike. Participants may also visit the Historical Museums in Tustin and Cadillac should schedules and time permit.
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast at 8:00 AM.
 Morning: The two groups will switch with one going on the White Pine Trail bike ride in the morning and the other remaining at Kettunen Center and participating in Nature Activities and hikes. The City Park with its antique Shay Locomotive will be the meeting spot along Lake Cadillac for the groups.
 Lunch: Lunch at 1:00 PM.
 Afternoon: The two groups will switch with one going on the White Pine Trail bike ride in the morning and the other remaining at Kettunen Center and participating in Nature Activities and hikes. Participants will take a discovery hike through forests, fields and wetlands and play ecology games to learn more about native wildlife and how they survive. We'll share the old-fashioned games of horsehoes and shuffle board. Lifeguard on duty for swimming and boating. Preparation time for family storytelling and talents night.
 Dinner: Dinner at 5:30 PM.
 Evening: Storytelling Night! Work as a team with family members or new friends as you share your envionmental knowledge through skits, improvisation, songs and storytelling. Go for a night hike and learn about your amazing ability - Night Vision - and how to enjoy the night with your "other" senses. Explore the night sky and learn some basic constellations. Enjoy old fashioned s'mores before calling it a night!
   
Accommodations: Kettunen Center
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6: Outdoor Survivor Challenge! Check out of rooms by 10:00 a.m., wrap up activities. Wrap up activities.
(Friday, June 28)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast at 8:00 AM.
 Morning: The Outdoor Survivor Challenge will bring all the new/refined skills learned during the week along with your increased team building skills together in a positive team/family oriented variety of activities. Prizes awarded! Wrap up activity prior to lunch.
 Lunch: Lunch at 12:00 PM.
 Afternoon: Independent departures after lunch.
   
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Free Time Opportunities
  
  Tustin, Michigan Cadillac Area Visitors Bureau
Your guide to Cadillac and the surrounding area. For additional information, visit www.cadillacmichigan.com
Important information about your itinerary: Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the information featured on this website. Itineraries are based on our best information at this time. Circumstances beyond our control may require us to adjust itineraries or other details. We regret any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your understanding. Information will be sent to you from your Program Provider approximately three weeks prior to the program start date. The prices listed for commercial services and facilities that are not included in the program cost, such as airport shuttles or extra nights lodging, are subject to change without notice. Since Road Scholar cannot guarantee the accuracy of these prices, we strongly suggest contacting the companies directly for the most up-to-date information.

Suggested Reading List


Introduction to Paddling: Canoeing Basics for Lakes and Rivers


Author: American Canoe Association


Description: Basics of canoeing



Mastering Mountain Bike Skills - 2nd Edition


Author: Brian Lopes and Lee McCormack


Description: All aspects of mountain biking - hard tailed bikes - are discussed





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