ABC of Hiking News Feed

Wild Rainbow Nation Tour for Club Campers

Looking for an adventure? The Camping and Caravanning Club's Carefree Worldwide Travel Service is offering a new escorted Tour of South Africa that offers superb value for money � save up to �2,300 per couple!

The 23-day guided tour will run from November 18 to December 10, 2012 travelling from Cape Town and along the Cape Coast, including two nights in the Kruger National Park.

Highlights include a guided coach tour of Cape Town itself including a trip to the summit of the spectacular Table Mountain, an overnight stay in a beehive hut in a Zulu village, the beautiful scenery of the Swartberg pass and the chance to spot the Big Five in Kruger.

And campers will be in safe hands as Club Tour Escorts, Pat and Alan Gadd, have extensive knowledge of the country and have helped hundreds of members explore and discover hidden gems in this welcoming country.

Joyce and John Hudson, from the Isle of Wight recently visited South Africa with the Club and they said: "It was a wonderful experience; stunning scenery, climate, history and wildlife. It felt like an adventure through South Africa.�

The tour costs from just �3,450 per person (based on two people sharing a motorhome). Single and child supplements and additional adult costs are available on request.

Richard Grimsdale, the Club's Travel Services Director, said: "Holidaymakers are continuously looking for exciting new travel opportunities so we're delighted to be able to offer a new escorted tour of South Africa.

"Our worldwide destinations have proved to be very popular and we will continue to work hard to provide our campers with unique holiday options.�

Carefree offers six Worldwide Escorted Tours including; Argentina, New Zealand, Canada, USA West, South Africa and Southern Africa Discovery. Bespoke and individual tours are also available on request.

To book an escorted tour or for more information, please contact us by phone: - 0845 601 0905 or 024 7647 5340 or online: www.motorhometouringholidays.co.uk

Sean Alisea Confirms that Hiking Sparks Creativity

In this Digital Age, information is never far from our fingertips. Indeed, most of us are constantly inundated by the effects of smart phones, computers, and cellular devices.

According to a new study from the University of Kansas, however, the effects of these gadgets are not always positive. In fact, this constant barrage of information can actually rob us of our creative inspiration, the study finds; something as simple as a nature hike can leave us refreshed and rejuvenated, however. This new study has garnered the affirmation of many notable outdoor enthusiasts, among them Santa Barbara's Sean Alisea.

Indeed, as a proponent both of hiking and of calming meditation techniques, Sean Alisea finds much to praise in the new report. "The pressure, pace and noise of modern life creates in us a constant struggle against our primitive fight-or-flight response,� Alisea says in a press statement. "Aside from meditation, which I also highly recommend, I believe that the primary way to re-connect with one's spirit is to commune with nature. Hiking, besides keeping you extremely fit, affords you the space and solitude you need to feel at peace with your world.�

That hiking offers many physical benefits is hardly a surprise, but the new University of Kansas study affirms that, as Sean Alisea notes, the benefits are also spiritual and psychological. In fact, the report's central finding is that a few days in the wilderness, surrounded by nature but away from the pull of the cell phone, can increase creativity by as much as 50%.

The research is presented in the current edition of Backpacker magazine, and suggests that the effects of hiking on the human body and mind are profound, and almost unclassifiable. Hiking and spending time in nature, the report says, are ultimately beneficial for "offering refuge from the cacophony of all of this information that simulates alarms, warnings and emergencies.�

Expanding on this point, the report notes that constantly being surrounded by technology makes one feel constantly surrounded by threats or stress-inducing factors. This ultimately saps the human mind of its ability to have fun or think creatively.

Spending several days in nature, apart from digital technology, is ideal, the report says. Indeed, the creative spark offered by a nature hike "peaks after about three days of really getting away, turning off the [cell phone], not hauling the iPad and not looking for Internet coverage,� the study suggests. An extended period of time, alone in nature, is said to offer numerous positive effects, both for the human body and for the mind.

Sean Alisea is an outspoken advocate for outdoor fun and adventure, as well as for meditation. He lives and works in Santa Barbara, California, and is a tutor at the Santa Barbara School of Squash, an educational outreach program aimed at urban youth. Alisea is also an avid outdoor recreation enthusiast, and is vocal in his love for hiking, backpacking, and scuba diving. His passion is for sharing his love of these activities with others.

Race to the Moon Wellness Challenge

HealthAmerica and CafeWell� today announced that participants in the Race to the Moon wellness challenge, sponsored by HealthAmerica, recently passed their target of walking the distance to the moon. At April 30, participants had walked more than 685 million steps, which equates to 302,000 miles. Based on the program's success,a new challenge program was announced today, Return to Earth*, which features new fitness challenges as participants log steps for chances to win prizes, and allows in additional members.

At a celebratory event today in Harrisburg, HealthAmerica chief executive officer, David Fields, recognized the many people with individual stories of success in the Race to the Moon, including 153 participants who each surpassed one million steps, 19 participants who exceeded two million steps, four participants who exceeded three million steps, and one participant who surpassed four million steps.

"The entire HealthAmerica family congratulates the more than 6,500 active participants who took advantage of the Race to the Moon wellness challenge to change their health and fitness," said Fields. "The results we have demonstrated with this new type of socially enabled wellness program are getting people's attention across the healthcare industry, and we are proud to have led the way."

For example, 68% of participants reported walking or running more every week, 36% have become more health conscious about their diet and 29% have lost weight.

While logging steps, members participated in 32 different challenges on the CafeWell social health network, which served as Race to the Moon's central 'Mission Control'. The top five discussion groups used by participants include Race to the Moon, Fitness and Exercise, Diet and Nutrition, Weight Loss, and Stress Management.

Nearly half, 48%, of Race to the Moon participants were over the age of 45 and only 24% were under 35. The age weighting underscores the positive health impact Race to the Moon participants reported.

Participant comments, all available here, reported many instances of weight loss, energy gain and reversal or improvement in chronic conditions such as high blood pressure, cholesterol and arthritis. Photos from the event are available here after today's event.

"Race to the Moon was simply life changing," said Rick Sanger, a two million-step achiever from Mechanicsburg, Pa. "Who would have ever guessed in six months I would have walked two and a half million steps? Not me! I was a self-made couch potato. I liked to exercise, but I could never find something I could stick with. This is like Facebook meets Biggest Loser! I have made so many friends, lost weight, have badges to brag and show as accomplishments and stories of how our team stuck together and pushed each other way past what we thought we could ever do as individuals! Amazing experience, I cherish the time I spend in CafeWell and Race to the Moon."

"I'm happy to say that I've lost 12 pounds and the warm spring weather will help me keep going," noted Pam Zemaitis, a one-million step achiever from New Cumberland. "One thing that I've noticed the most is that last year at this time, I went on a field trip to Philadelphia with my son's 6th grade class. My knees hurt so bad that I couldn't keep up very easily with the tour guide. This year I'm going with my daughter's 6th grade class and even though my knees are still a little sore, it is nothing like last year so I'm looking forward to being in the front of the group! I didn't do anything to help my knees either...except for walking!"

Michelle Hawkins, a participant from Lancaster, added, "The Race to the Moon has motivated me to get outside more, as well as to make a decision to hike Mt. Washington in New Hampshire. My dad has done the hike many years in the past and this will be our first year to do it together. I have been extremely motivated to go train with my dad by hiking every weekend."

"I started slowly, 20 to 30 thousand steps," said Bob Scott of Harrisburg. "As I got caught up in the challenges, I added more and more, and started to finish in the top five. Exercise became more often and more vigorous. I looked forward to it and am exercising much more regularly now. I have increased my endurance and lost 15 pounds."

"I define my success in Race to the Moon as getting much more exercise," said Cheryl Walker of Middletown. "I have walked over 1,000 miles for a weight loss of 19 pounds, so far."

Pam Smith of York added, "My success is measured by meeting the weekly goals, to schedule specific times into my day to walk. I take each day as it comes. Some days are busier than others and I can spend more or less time each day with the weekly goal as the target. I have become more competitive because of the ranking within the challenge and wanting to get more badges for points. Winning an Amazon gift card was the icing on the cake! Sharing this experience with others has also been reaffirming for me to continue. Friends tell me how great it is that I have accomplished what I have. When I started, it was difficult to walk 4 blocks."

National Park Foundation Receives $500,000 Grant

In celebration of National Park Week, the National Park Foundation � the official charity of America's national parks � today received a $500,000 grant from the Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund to help connect kids and families to nature through America's national parks. Disney's investment will go specifically to the National Park Foundation's "Ticket to Ride" and "America's Best Idea" programs, which will help kids explore the outdoors by providing transportation to and supporting community projects at national parks around the country.

"We realize that funding for transportation is one of the greatest barriers preventing children from experiencing a national park field trip," said Neil Mulholland, president and CEO of the National Park Foundation. "Disney's support has helped make it possible for us to engage thousands of young people in life changing park experiences, and ultimately inspiring the next generation of park enthusiasts."

The National Park Foundation launched "Ticket To Ride" earlier this year. Disney is the first corporate partner to join in the program's mission, allowing tens of thousands of young people to experience America's national parks this spring. The company's grant also supports the National Park Foundation's "America's Best Idea" program, which connects diverse, underserved and under-engaged populations throughout the country with their national parks through innovative and meaningful experiences.

In addition to the grant, Disney's Friends for Change � a program that inspires kids and families to make a positive impact on their world by helping people and the planet � developed a public service announcement (PSA) that will launch during National Parks Week and air on Disney Channel and Disney Online. The spot features Disney Channel star Caroline Sunshine ("Shake it Up") and encourages kids and families to explore the outdoors, whether at a local, state, or national park. Disney Friends for Change also created an online action kit (disney.com/friends) that helps families plan a park visit in four easy steps and provides ideas on park activities ranging from hikes to wildlife exploration.

"The more kids are exposed to the great outdoors, the more they appreciate and understand the beauty and value of our natural resources, from our national parks to our own backyards," said Leslie Goodman, senior vice president of Disney Corporate Citizenship. "Disney is proud to work in collaboration with National Park Foundation to make a park experience possible for tens of thousands of young people. We hope that these outdoor adventures inspire lifelong conservation values."

For more information on "Ticket to Ride," "America's Best Idea" or any of the National Park Foundation's programs, please visit www.nationalparks.org.

Every Body Walk! Campaign

An all-star cast from the award-winning television series The West Wing reunited for a Funny or Die public service announcement that launches today for Every Body Walk!, an inspiring campaign about the health benefits of walking. The PSA can be viewed exclusively on Funny or Die and Every Body Walk!

http://www.funnyordie.com/videos/3dc51a407a/walk-talk

Every Body Walk! aims to get people up and walking � 30 minutes a day, five days a week � to improve overall health and meet adult physical activity recommendations and requirements.

The West Wing cast is no stranger to walking, as the show is noted for creating the "walk-and-talk," which is the premise for the Every Body Walk! PSA.

The spot features an ensemble cast including Martin Sheen (President Josiah Bartlet); Allison Janney (CJ Cregg); Dule Hill (Charlie Young); Joshua Malina (Will Bailey); Melissa Fitzgerald (Carol Fitzpatrick); and William Duffy (Larry, Congressional Liaison). Several background actors from the show also made an appearance. Filming of the PSA was the first time The West Wing cast has reunited since the show's final episode in May 2006.

Comedy platform Funny or Die has created PSAs on such topics as consumer protection, budget cuts, piracy, and The Clinton Foundation 10th anniversary. Every Body Walk! is the latest cause to which Funny or Die has lent its talents.

Every Body Walk! offers all the tools needed to start a walking program. A robust hub, www.everybodywalk.org, contains news and resources on walking, health information, walking maps, links to walking groups, inspirational videos, and a personal pledge form designed to motivate walkers. The Every Body Walk! mobile app, a free download from the Apple Store and Android Market, allows users to track the time and distance walked and the calories burned. The Every Body Walk! campaign is fully integrated with social media channels Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Pinterest and Tumblr.