Once everyone has arrived, we will embark on a pleasant campus walk to become familiar with the facilities.Dinner: Enjoy an opening dinner in a private dining area with fellow biking enthusiasts. While most meals will give you the opportunity interact with the university student population, our first meal together is in a more intimate setting to allow you to get to know other members of the group.Evening: ORIENTATION: You will receive your program packet containing your name tag, the up-to-date daily schedule, and other information such as free time opportunities. We will review the schedule thoroughly, highlighting departure times, trip details, and locations of presentations, as well as covering responsibilities, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer any questions you may have. (If you arrive late, please pick up your packet at the hotel front desk.)
Please be aware that program activities and scheduled times could change due to local circumstances. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding!
Following orientation, enjoy an entertaining get-acquainted session to learn more about your fellow participants. The remainder of the evening is your time to finish settling in and relax before beginning a week of biking along picturesque trails.Lodging: University InnMeals Included: Dinner
Founded in 1997 as a non-profit educational organization, the Florida Bicycle Association inspires and supports people and communities to enjoy greater freedom and well-being through bicycling. The FBA envisions a state where people of all ages see bicycling as an enjoyable, practical, and safe recreational activity and transportation option.Lunch: Lunch in the Stetson Commons. Choose from a wide variety of entrees and sides; main entrée selections change daily. You may also select items from the grill area, hand-tossed pizza, salad bar, or a made-to-order deli sandwich.Afternoon: FIELD TRIP: Biking Through Historic Downtown DeLand. This award-winning "Main Street" community -- as designated by the National Trust for Historic Preservation -- reflects what is special about the past and present while planning and moving ahead. During our guided biking field trip, you'll see the Mural Walk, Sculpture Walk, and learn about initiatives such as New Urbanism, a movement to connect mixed residential and commercial land use so people can walk to work, dine, and relax in the neighborhoods where they live.Dinner: Dinner in the Stetson Commons. Choose from the great array and variety of good food you've already come to anticipate: numerous entrees, salad bar, and freshly made desserts.Evening: EXTRACURRICULAR: Stetson University is a cultural hub within the surrounding city and county. Enjoy an event such as a concert, lecture, or sporting event selected from available offerings.Lodging: University InnMeals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
We'll park our bikes and stroll down the boardwalks of Blue Spring State Park to enjoy the beauty of the flora surrounding the natural spring run, and the variety of fauna including close-up views of manatees (depending on seasonal cycles).Lunch: Picnic Lunch at Blue Spring State ParkAfternoon: FIELD TRIP: St. John's River Nature Study Cruise. The vessel we will board is specially designed to ply the shallow backwaters of the historic St. Johns River. With an average cruising speed of 6 MPH, its quiet, smooth operation allows you to hear and see everything nature offers. There will be frequent stops along the way to learn about this most fragile ecosystem as well as photo opportunities.
Returning to DeLand, we will bike along more of the Spring-to-Spring Trail, concluding with the newly completed Alabama Avenue Greenway, a paved shared use path that connects the city's Earl Brown Park with Stetson University.Dinner: Dinner in the Stetson Commons. Choose from the great array and variety of good food you've already come to anticipate: numerous entrees, salad bar, and freshly made desserts.Evening: EXTRACURRICULAR: Stetson University is a cultural hub within the surrounding city and county. Enjoy an event such as a concert, lecture, or sporting event selected from available offerings.Lodging: University InnMeals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
The Ormond Scenic Loop and Trail is an easily navigated loop of roadways traversing some of the most beautiful and diverse natural scenery remaining in all of Florida. The loop includes four state and six local public parks, as well as ten miles of gorgeous Florida beachfront.Lunch: Picnic Lunch on the LoopAfternoon: FIELD TRIP: We continue the Ormond Scenic Loop and Trail journey. You'll observe varied plant and animal species along the beach, such as the endangered Florida Scrub Jay and nesting sea turtles. Keep your eyes peeled, and you might spy dolphins as well. During migration seasons, you might even spot Northern Right Whales and humpback whales offshore.
We'll return to town via our motorcoach and pass through the Volusia Conservation Corridor, affectionately known as the "Palmetto Curtain." The corridor is the wild heart of Volusia and Flagler counties.Dinner: Dinner in the Stetson Commons. Choose from the great array and variety of good food you've already come to anticipate: numerous entrees, salad bar, and freshly made desserts.Evening: EXTRACURRICULAR: Stetson University is a cultural hub within the surrounding city and county. Enjoy an event such as a concert, lecture, or sporting event selected from available offerings.Lodging: University InnMeals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
We trust you have enjoyed this new biking adventure and will return for other rewarding Road Scholar programs in the future. Best wishes for all your journeys!Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch