Travel offers service, education opportunities

UW–Madison is putting a new spin on service travel while UW grads will get an exclusive look at the stars this spring and a chance to cheer on the Badgers in Las Vegas this fall.

The Wisconsin Idea will take off in a completely new direction this summer, as UW–Madison launches a new service travel initiative.

Service and Learning Travel Adventure (SaLA) represents a partnership between the Wisconsin Alumni Association, Morgridge Center for Public Service and the Wisconsin Union. The pilot program will bring UW–Madison students, alumni, faculty and staff together to offer their time and expertise in two different destinations: the Glencree Centre for Reconciliation in Glencree, Ireland and the Blackfeet Reservation in Browning, Mont.

According to analysts, service travel is one of the fastest-growing segments of the travel industry. While a number of universities offer service travel opportunities, they usually are limited to particular members of the university community, such as alumni, or students and faculty in a particular class. SaLA, however, offers a wide-open opportunity for varied university constituents to work side-by-side with host community members, says Jeff Wendorf, WAA vice president of outreach.

“Wisconsin has a great tradition of service, and this program will strengthen and deepen it,” he says.

Travelers on the Glencree trip, June 15-30, will advance the center’s work of bringing together citizens of Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. Volunteers will engage in maintaining and enhancing the conference center there, freeing Glencree staff to concentrate on reconciliation. Duties include cleaning, cooking and construction work. The trip to Browning is scheduled July 27-Aug. 4. Travelers assist with activities on the Blackfeet Reservation, and work in the Head Start culture park.

A Web site will help support and enhance all learning components. In addition, participants will attend an orientation program outlining the philosophy behind service travel in general, and SaLA in particular. Finally, each group will have a cultural program led by the instructional faculty member for that group. In September 2002, an open reception will allow participants to share their experience with the university community.

Susan Vande Hei Dibbell, manager of the UW–Madison Morgridge Center for Public Service, predicts SaLA will extend the way that the university and larger communities come together to make things happen. “SaLA is a natural progression,” she says. “Service is a great ‘connector.’ If we are all working on a project together, age, title and ability don’t matter.”

Rob Staude, who coordinates the Wisconsin Union 12-year-old Alternative Breaks service travel program, lauds the innovative new program. “The mix of 10 students, at least one faculty member, and alumni, other faculty and staff will be sure to present an opportunity for learning about amazing cultures, providing important assistance to the host communities, and finding out about each of the other participants,” says Staude, a junior from Fort Atkinson. “That combination will make SaLA one of the most innovative programs at UW–Madison today.”

UW–Madison will be working with Global Volunteers Inc., a private nonprofit corporation affiliated with the United Nations. Or contact Sheri Hicks, WAA travel director, (608) 262-9521, sherihicks@uwalumni.com.

Grads to get exclusive look at stars

It’s a premiere that promises a star-studded experience. But on this stargazing expedition, guests will have telescopes instead of telephoto lenses and a passion for astronomy, not Armani.

Arizona is a hotbed of astronomical activity and this April 13-20 it will open its skies to UW faculty, grads and friends for the “Cacti to Craters” tour. The program is the first in the Astronomical Crossroads Series, developed by partners the Wisconsin Alumni Association, UW Space Place and WINNERSS (Wisconsin Idea National Network Education and Research in the Space Sciences).

“The goal of the Crossroads Series is to promote new directions in astronomy and space science outreach,” says UW Space Place director Jim Lattis. “On this particular trip, our research connections gain us insider privileges to places like the WIYN Observatory on Kitt Peak, which isn’t open to the general public. Its 0.9-meter telescope is internationally recognized for its superb image quality, giving us the best possible view of the skies.”

In addition to viewing celestial phenomena at observatories, travelers will visit the famous Meteor Crater while enjoying Arizona in the spring. Lattis and fellow College of Letters and Science faculty member Sanjay Limaye will conduct talks and tours, as well as guided star parties using telescopes and binoculars.

“This partnership with the Space Place and WINNERSS allows us to bring UW graduates a once-in-a-lifetime educational experience,” says WAA President and CEO Paula Bonner. “Not only will they see things they could never arrange on their own, their experience will be much enhanced by the expertise of Dr. Lattis and Dr. Limaye.”

The cost for this premier event is $1,625 per person, not including airfare. For travel details, contact Sheri Hicks, WAA travel director, (608) 262-9521, sherihicks@uwalumni.com.

WAA offers Las Vegas football tour

The Wisconsin Alumni Association has organized a tour package Aug. 29-Sept. 1 to Las Vegas for Badger football fans who want to cheer on Wisconsin in a game against UNLV.

“We are pleased to offer football fans this affordable, exciting tour to one of the most luxurious cities in America,” says Paula Bonner, WAA president and CEO. “This is a great way to get Badger fans to the game and show our support for the team.”

Badger fans will once again take over Las Vegas for a weekend of spirited Wisconsin football. Priced from $624, the official tour includes three nights at the world-famous Venetian Hotel or the deluxe Monte Carlo, a guaranteed football ticket in the Wisconsin section and admission to the pre-game Badger Huddle. Land-only and airfare packages are available.

Optional activities include a city tour, visit to Hoover Dam and an “Old West” tour. “(Athletic travel with WAA) was without a doubt our best family vacation,” says WAA traveler Curt Fuszard ’76. “We’re definitely keeping WAA in mind when we plan our next trip.”

For complete tour details, call WAA’s travel department, (888) 922-8728.