Vacations and Staycations

A Kids Craft To Bring Crayons Back To Life

Here’s an easy, craft idea that will help your kids understand the power of reusing things. It’s a way to Do Your Part and get more life out of your stash of broken crayons.

All you need for this project are:
•  Old pieces of crayons, wrappers peeled off
•  Aluminum tins to melt the crayons
•  A candy mold, soap mold, candle mold, or muffin pan (optional)

First, pre-heat your oven to 200 degrees. Then separate the crayons by individual colors or other combinations of your choice and place them in the aluminum tins. Next, put the tins in the oven for about 10 minutes. Once the crayons are melted, remove the tins. If you’re using a mold, pour the melted wax into the selected mold, otherwise let the tins sit on a flat surface to harden. You can also put the molds in the freezer to cool down faster.

And there you have it. Crayons that are brand new to the kids and perfect for art projects. It’s another easy – and creative way – to Do Your Part with the youngest members of the family.

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Finding Green Hotels Is Easy!

It can be a lot fun to plan a getaway to a different city. We find out what there is to do and see and where to stay. When most of us start hunting for a hotel we think about convenience, cost and cool amenities. But what about getting all that and going green too? No matter what your destination is there are ways to Do Your Part when it comes to tracking down eco-friendly hotels.

There are two main websites that can help. You may have heard about the eco leaf ratings by IStayGreen.org. This organization has rated 3,000 different hotels. In order for a hotel to receive a green leaf rating they have to complete a self audit and then they’re evaluated based on their green initiatives.

Another popular site is EnvironmentallyFriendlyHotels.com. They have a rating system based on environmental initiatives that visitors can see such as recycling, towel and sheet programs and water conserving bathroom fixtures. The site also considers things you can’t see like whether the hotel buys green energy or donates to charity. Their ratings are from one green tree to the highest rating of 7 trees.

More well-known travel sites such as Travelocity and Orbitz highlight a few green hotel options. And, the government’s Energy Star program rates certain hotels based on what they are doing to conserve energy. The information on some of the locations is very specific including what retro-fits are underway and how much money the hotels can expect to save. But, their ratings don’t take into account other green initiatives like composting or using non toxic cleaners.

Soon, AAA will also begin offering their own eco-ratings in their popular guidebook. Finding an eco-friendly hotel wherever you want to go doesn’t have to be hard work. And once you’re in one you can relax and feel good about making a better choice for our planet.

To Learn More Visit:
IStayGreen.org
EnvironmentallyFriendlyHotels.com
Travelocity
Orbitz
Energy Star Labeled Buildings and Plants

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A Better Travel Bag

Who doesn’t love a little vacation? And, you can Do Your Part during your next getaway by picking a smarter piece of luggage!

The best choice is to use the bags and suitcases you already have. But, if you need some new pieces there are plenty of eco-friendly options. There is a line made by Heys USA which is tough, durable and best of all made from 100% recycled plastic. As a bonus, you can buy these suitcases in all kinds of bright colors so they’re easy to identify.

Major online luggage stores are also offering a wide selection of eco-friendly luggage lines. Luggage.com sells some from many different manufacturers such as Sherpani bags which are mostly constructed from recycled materials and with non-toxic dyes. You can also find responsibly-made backpacks. Some Ameribag backpacks are made from recycled plastic bottles.

No matter what you need to pack, you can now find luggage that sturdy, fashion forward and made with the planet in mind. Now isn’t that a relaxing thought as you take off on your next adventure?

To Learn More Visit:
Heys USA
Luggage.com

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Planes, Trains or Automobiles?

Planning the perfect getaway can be a blast. And, there are easy ways to Do Your Part as you decide how to get to your perfect destination.

There’s a super simple way to determine whether you should travel by car, train or plane. Just go to TripFootprint.com and enter your location, where you’re going and with how many people. The site quickly and scientifically calculates which mode of transportation will create the least carbon dioxide emissions.

Sometimes, your best bet is to park your car and rent a more fuel efficient ride. These days, most major car rental companies offer a fleet of hybrids or other fuel efficient models to their customers. If you’re a Triple-A member, you can even get a discount on Hertz’s “Green Collection”. And, Toyota dealerships now rent out hybrids and have an online site to see what’s available, where.

If traveling by bus is an option for you, Greyhound has “greener” vehicles on the roads right now. They are more fuel efficient and release fewer emissions than ever before. It’s also one of the most affordable options for travel.

And, there’s also help when it comes on deciding where to stay. IStayGreen.org and EnvironmentallyFriendlyHotels.com are two useful tools.

Or, check out Triple-A’s latest guidebooks. They have new “eco-icons” which indicate which hotels have eco-friendly features. Remember that old saying “getting there is half the fun”? It really can be — especially if you Do Your Part as you go!

To Learn More Visit:
TripFootprint.com
Toyota Rentals
Greyhound
IStayGreen.org
EnvironmentallyFriendlyHotels.com

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Find Your Eco-Destination

Really, who wouldn’t want to go on a dream American vacation? Now, more than ever, there are incredible ways to Do Your Part while you and your family experience new places. It’s called eco-tourism and it means traveling to natural places while creating the least impact on the environment as possible. It also means supporting the local community while you’re there. You can find destinations on every continent but there are plenty of adventures to be had here at home.

Start by checking out your choices. Remember, traveling responsibly takes just a little extra work and doesn’t need to break the bank. There are companies which are only focused solely on eco-travel such as Intrepid Travel. It’s one-stop-shopping for folks looking at eco-friendly destinations and wanting to book travel and tours online. They offer dozens of US packages featuring some of America’s most breathtaking scenery. The trips last anywhere from a week to months at a time. Other eco-conscious companies like GapAdventures focus on smaller tour groups so travelers can connect with local communities easier, be educated on the area’s environmental issues and lower their eco-footprint.

Serious eco-travelers are urged to used local transportation, eat locally grown foods and get involved in helping the environment — all while taking in amazing sites! If you are interesting in just learning what’s there out there, online sites like EcoTourism.org are a hot spot for green travel information. It has the latest eco-tourism news plus provides insider information on eco-friendly destinations and tours. Or, hook up with like-minded travelers and have online conversations. A good site I found is EcoTrotters.com.

There’s is definitely a push these days to travel smarter and protect our environment. A responsible eco-adventure is one way for you to Do Your Part and have a unique vacation at the same time!

To Learn More Visit:
IntrepidTravel
GapAdventures
EcoTourism.org
EcoTrotters.com

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Charlotte's Secret Gardens

Do Your Part to get back to nature! Wing Haven Gardens and Bird Sanctuary in the heart of Charlotte is one of Terri’s very favorite places!

All of the beautiful gardens on the three-acre plot of land are designed to attract birds. There are places for them to find cover, food and to nest. What a perfect place to take your family to learn more about native plants and birds and enjoy a wonderful walking tour.

Or check out the Daniel Stowe Botanical Gardens in Belmont. It’s home to expansive gardens and an incredible, 5-story orchid conservatory. There are places to picnic and hundreds of acres for the family to explore.

Another one of Terri’s favorite places is Reedy Creek Park and Nature Reserve in Northeastern Mecklenburg County. Besides fields for all sorts of sports, you can find animals in the Nature Center, bird feeding stations and butterfly gardens. There are also several self guided trails to hike.

Rose lovers, we have the perfect place for you! The McGill Rose Garden in Davidson is home to 200 different varieties of roses. There are several hands-on workshops available to help green thumbs learn more about growing roses and other gardening techniques.

Hopefully these beautiful places will inspire you to Do Your Part and tread lightly on our planet. So get outside and enjoy all nature has to offer!

To Learn More Visit:
Wing Haven Gardens and Bird Sanctuary
Daniel Stowe Botanical Gardens
Reedy Creek Park and Nature Reserve
McGill Rose Garden

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Day Trips From Charlotte With Nature In Mind

If you don’t want to go too far, consider Crowder’s Mountain. It’s just 30 miles from Charlotte and is great for families looking for adventure and breathtaking views. You can rock climb, camp and picnic.

Further west is Asheville. It’s worth the two hour drive to see the Biltmore Estate which is the country’s largest home. It’s expansive gardens are impressive and it’s also home to the country’s first managed forests. Biltmore also has the most visited winery in the country. You can even tour the vineyards for yourself!

Now to some other must-sees. Grandfather Mountain is a biggie. It’s the highest peak in the Blue Ridge Mountain area. Not only is it a stunning nature preserve, its Mile High Swinging Bridge provides quite the thrill.

Reed’s Gold Mine is another fun time. It’s less than an hour East of Charlotte in Midland where the country’s first documented gold discovery was made. Once you’re there, you’ll have the whole family panning for gold in no time!

And animal lovers don’t forget about the zoo! The North Carolina Zoological Park is about an hour east of Charlotte in Asheboro and was one of the first to create areas specifically designed to resemble the animals’ natural habitats. There are more than a thousand animals including some local endangered species.

These are just some ideas to get you dreaming about day trips for the whole family. So, Do Your Part to get away and get out to some of the best sites near Charlotte.

To Learn More Visit:
Crowder’s Mountain
Biltmore Estate
Grandfather Mountain
Reed’s Gold Mine
The North Carolina Zoological Park

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Adventurous and Affordable Family Vacations

Looking for affordable adventures for the entire family? Do Your Part and explore the hundreds of National Parks across the country. Chances are you’re less than a day’s drive from the perfect getaway like the Great Smoky Mountains, Everglades, or even a beautiful state park.

That’s because America’s Natural Park System spans more than 84 million acres and was created to protect our priceless ecosystems. These parks are the perfect places to have adventures for everyone in your family – everything from camping to rock climbing to cave exploration.

I recommend getting a yearly pass that gets you access to all of our national parks. It’s less than a hundred dollars for four adults. Kids under 16 are always free. So, if you’re ready to go, there are all sorts of tools available to help you plan.

On the National Park’s website, you can search by state or by activities. Not only that, you can map out a longer trip based on the number of days you’ll be on vacation. There are also tons of smart phone apps that can guide you through absolutely everything you want to know.

Once you’re there, remember to leave nothing but tracks at these national treasures. Don’t leave food for animals, take your trash with you, and keep camping and hiking areas as you found them. Seeing these spectacular spots and keeping them protected is the perfect way to Do Your Part while having an adventure of a lifetime.

To Learn More Visit:
NPS.gov
US-Parks.com

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