Adventures

All adventures and activities are initiated and organized by individual members with no claim of expertise. GLAC itself does not designate, approve, organize, or coordinate any official club events.

Members can post events, receive notice of adventures, and respond to event organizers via the forum! Join our group to gain access! Here we will provide a review of activities, updated monthly.

Ongoing

Hikes

Monday hikes begin at 10:00 am and rotate between 5 locations. They are hosted by Lisa Fisher via a separate Meetup group including multiple GLAC members.

John Mulvihill has been making regular postings for mid-week hikes in the Portage/Kalamazoo area. Watch the GLAC Forum for details.

Pickleball

Dave G coordinates pickleball games in the warmer months. Watch the forum.

Loaves and Fishes

Our club volunteers to assist this charitable organization as needed on the 4th Wednesday of each month. Ralph F is the contact person if you are interested in joining us.

Adopt-a-Highway

Members continue to sponsor a stretch of M43 for the Adopt-a-Highway. 2025 planned trash pick-up dates are currently April 5, July 12, and September 20. Help keep our environment clean!

Impromptu Activities

Any club member may lead hikes, paddles, bike rides or other activities at any time.  These activities will be announced via the GLAC forum.

Planned Activities

Kalamazoo Parks Beautification Project

The Michigan Waterways Stewards non-profit has a yearly Spring and Fall Kalamazoo Parks Beautification Project (linked) at Mayors Riverfront Park and Verburg Park, to clean up the riverfronts, trim bushes back and help eradicate invasive species. The group, as well as Wild Ones, an event partner, which promotes native plant species, have requested our club’s help, either as technical leads or volunteers to make this event a success. Spring event Date is April 12 and 13th. Watch the forum for details, or the event website link. Help maintain your community parks and maybe even spread the word of GLAC at an outside event! Everything needed will be provided including equipment, lunch, drinks and snacks served too. Just bring work gloves!

Spring Backpacking

Todd will lead a short excursion during the weekend of April 25-27, in the Manistee River area of the North Country Trail. If you really want to try backpacking for the first time, or are experienced and itching to get on the trail, contact Todd. This will be a perfect trip for beginners!

Orienteering

Orienteering dates are coming up April 27, May 4, 10, 17. Dave G will keep us posted which events he will be attending so watch the Forum for details. For further info contact Dave G or see smoc-runs.com

Grand Haven Kite Fest

Another spectator event on Dave’s radar, at this annual event on the beach, you will see amazing kites and some trick flying. The festival is scheduled for May 17th this year! Contact Dave about a group trip!

Paddle Across Lower Michigan (PALM)

PALM, scheduled June 21-27 for 2025, is a family-friendly, scenic and affordable bicycle tour across Michigan’s lower
peninsula. Todd F expressed some interest in participating in this event again and encouraged other bikers to consider it.

Beer City Open

This event is a pickle-ball tournament in Grand Rapids on July 10-13. Dave G will be planning a trip for any pickle ball fans who want to go be spectators with him.

East Race Waterway – South Bend

GLAC members will be making a trip to this man-made whitewater course on Saturday, August 2nd. Trips are made with rental rafts and kayaks. It’s a fun time! Watch the forum for more information this summer!

Grand Rapids Art Prize

GLAC members traditional will take a trip to hike through Grand Rapids to soak up the sights and the displays by artists from near and far when it annual event comes takes place, scheduled this year for September 18th to October 4th. The date we will attend will be determined once as the fall event nears. Watch the forum for more info!

San Juan Islands

Libby H-C and Deb F have been putting together a paddle trip (3 days/ 2 camping nights) to the San Juan Islands and the Seattle area in August 2025. After some delving and research, they have come up with several Outfitters and ideas for additional activities pre or post paddle trip. For more information, please attend a planning trip on Sunday, March 16 at 2:00 at the home of Deb F