GLAC Meetings are held monthly at the Oshtemo Branch Library in Kalamazoo, Michigan. The library is located at 7265 W. Main on M-43 (west of Meijer's). As you enter the library, the meeting room is to the left. See map to Oshtemo Branch Library

At meetings, members annnounce, plan, and sign up for new trips and activities. We also hear about recent trips, vote on equipment purchases, and discuss a little club business. Our goal is to focus on the fun stuff; we try to keep formal business discussions to a minimum, and we try to keep meetings to an hour (hour and a half at most.)

Business issues affecting the club are addressed by the elected GLAC Board members at board meetings. Important issues are researched by the Board before being brought before the members for a vote. 

UPCOMING MEETINGS

2012

January 17 6:30 pm
February 21 6:30 pm
March 20 6:30 pm
April 24 6:30 pm
May 15 6:30 pm
June 19 6:30 pm
July 17 6:30 pm
August 21 6:30 pm
September 25 6:30 pm
October 16 6:30 pm
November 20 6:30 pm
December 18 6:30 pm

1. What kind of activities/trips do you offer?
   
   
2. How much does it cost to join GLAC and how do I join?
   
   
3. What do my dues cover?
   
   
4. What do I get with my membership?
   
   
5. How many members do you have?
   
   
6. Can I try the club out before joining?
   
   
7. Is GLAC a dating or singles club?
   
   
8. What are the club demographics?
   
   
9. Is my member data secure?
   
   
10. What do I have to do to borrow GLAC gear?
    
    
11. What are the benefits of joining GLAC?
    
    
12. Who plans and leads the activities and trips?
    
    
13. How much does it cost to participate in the activities and trips?
    
    
14. What is the cancellation policy on trips and events?
    
    
15. Are any activities free?
    
    
16. How do I get notified of trips or activities I might be interested in?
    
    
17. What kinds of places do you go to on your trips?
    
    
18. What if I want to try some new activity, but don't have the gear and/or experience required?
    
    
19. What do I do if I want to plan a trip or activity?
    
    
20. Can I bring my kids/pet along?
    
    
21. How did the club get started?
    
    
22. How do I become a board member?
    
    
23. Does the club have discounts to area businesses?
    
    
24. Where can I view the club's bylaws?
    
    
25. What do I have to do to be able to eat Will's pies?
    
    
    

What kind of activities/trips do you offer?

Whatever our members feel like participating in, but these are pretty standard: backpacking, biking
(mountain and street), canoeing, cross-country skiing, hiking, kayaking, orienteering,rock climbing,
rollerblading, snowboarding, snowshoeing, and white water rafting.

How much does it cost to join GLAC and how do I join?

Dues are $10 per family per year, payable by check or cash. Once you pay your dues, you are a member.
To join, fill out this form and mail it in with your dues.

What do my dues cover?

Costs of club operation (newsletter, website, brochures, meeting room rental). Whatever is left over is
used to purchase gear for the club.

What do I get with my membership?

A monthly newsletter of upcoming events and activities e-mailed or mailed to you. Free access to club gear
(on a first come-first served basis). And you can participate in any event you wish (unless
there are limited openings - again, first come-first served).

How many members do you have?

We average around 100 members at any given time.

Can I try the club out before joining?

Yep, just come to a meeting to find out about us, sign up for a trip or activity, see if the club is for you.
You can participate in two activities before joining. As a first time guest you will receive one complimentary newsletter.

Is GLAC a dating or singles club?

Nope. Although it's a great way to meet people who share your interests.

What are the club demographics?

Our members are diverse in terms of experience levels, interests, and backgrounds. Member ages range from college-age to senior citizens.

Is my member data secure?

The GLAC Administor maintains an excel spreadsheet of member's names, adrresses, phone numbers, e-mails and interests that we make available to GLAC members once yearly, as a vehicle to contact each other.
If you don't want your any or all of your information removed from the list, please inform the
GLAC Administrator.

What do I have to do to borrow GLAC gear?

You have to be a member to use the club's gear. When you want to check out the equipment, contact the
GLAC Equipment Manager.

What are the benefits of joining GLAC?

Meet adventure-minded people who enjoy a variety of year-round outdoor activities. Stay informed of new
and impromptu events as they are announced. Learn a new outdoor activity. Enjoy free access to club
equipment. Discounts to local businesses...and, if you are really lucky, you may get to eat some of Will's pie.

Who plans and leads the activities and trips?

Members do. GLAC itself does not designate, approve, organize, or coordinate any official club events.
All adventures and activities are initiated and organized by individual members with no claim of
expertise. At monthly meetings, or via the newsletter, GLAC forum, or website, members
announce trips and activities. Sign-up sheets are circulated at meetings.

How much does it cost to participate in the activities and trips?

Depends on the activity/trip.

What is the cancellation policy on trips and events?

Well, you pays your money and you takes your chances. If you pay for airfare, and then cannot make the
trip, well, the airfare is unrefundable and non-transferrable, so there you go. If however, in the instance
of hotel or car rental, we or you can find someone to take your place, then you would get your money
back.

Are any activities free?

Yes! It doesn't cost anything to get together to bike, hike, or kayak. If driving and/or transporting
people and gear a significant way is involved, then each carload of people usually splits the cost
of gas, generally the driver/car owner does not pay.

How do I get notified of trips or activities I might be interested in?

Come to the meetings. Join the club. You will receive the monthly GLAC Adventurer newsletter and access to the GLAC Forum. Or check out the website. Oh. You are.

What kinds of places do you go to on your trips?

All over the United States (usually half a dozen or so trips or activities are out of state per year). We usually
explore a few National Parks or wilderness areas each year. And we frequently explore Canada. The
rest of the trips/activities take place in Michigan and vicinity. Members can usually count on a trip to
either Pictured Rocks, Isle Royale, Porcupine Mountains each year. From time to time members lead international trips. Venezuela comes to mind.

What if I want to try some new activity, but don't have the gear and/or experience required?

Once you become a GLACer, you are entitled to borrow gear from the club. We own backpacks, tents, first aid kits, snowshoes, water filters, river ‘dry’ bags, climbing gear, cave helmets and headlights, and more.
Equipment is available to members on a first come—first served basis for use on planned or impromptu
GLAC trips. If the club does not have the gear you need, you can often you can rent it from Lees.

If you’d like to learn something new, skilled GLAC members are willing to share their knowledge with you.
Exploring new territory is more fun and less intimidating when shared with someone who has experience.

What do I do if I want to plan an activity or trip?

Research the activity and costs involved. Decide on a date. Bring details to the next meeting. Get a clipboard from the GLAC Administrator, and fill out a new trip form and circulate it at the meeting to give members an opportunity to sign up. Or, post the activity on the GLAC Forum. Be patient. Often people have to check their schedules first. The more info you provide, and the more excited about your trip you are, the more people will be likely to sign up for it. Give your trip and contact info to the GLAC Administrator for posting in the newsletter and website.

If you feel uncomfortable about leading a trip, coordinate something small to begin with - say an afternoon of kayaking. Or ask someone to co-lead a trip with you; then you can split up the coordinating tasks. Most GLAC trip leaders would agree that researching and planning a trip is a large part of the fun.

Also, check out the TRIP TOOLS page of this website. You may find useful info and links to assist you.

Can I bring my kids/pet along on a trip or activity?

We have had members bring well-behaved (leashed) dogs on some activities. The thing to remember here is that the enjoyment and consideration of other GLAC members should always be considered before doing so. Not to mention safety concerns. Many activities are just not appropriate for small children and/or pets.

How did the club get started?

GLAC was originally founded in 1975 as a climbing club. Its founders were affiliated with Western Michigan University and the Adventure Centre at Pretty Lake (ACPL), reportedly Bob Knerr and Lee Snooks of the Adventure Centre at Pretty Lake.

GLAC has a long and rich history. Early on, caving was one of the club's more popular activities. Many trips included exploration of caves in southern Indiana. These were noncommercial caves - so members needed to bring their own lights, helmets, and other spelunking gear. The trips were designed to build group synergism and self-confidence. Later the club started doing other outdoor adventures such as canoeing and whitewater rafting, in addition to their original rock climbing activities.

At first, there were just a handful of members. In 1984 there were 17 club members. The club split into two separate groups at some time around mid 1980's. The group that wanted the club's focus to be only on climbing left the club and were given the club's climbing gear when they left. The remaining members continued to participate in various outdoor activities - they retained the club's original name, the Great Lakes Adventure Club. Today the club's registered members average around 100.

How do I become a board member?

Board members (an annual position) are nominated at the November meeting and elected at the December meeting. Its all very casual (the elections, not the positions). You can also nominate yourself at the November meeting. We do encourage all GLAC members to at some time take a crack at one of the positions (Chairperson, Administrator, Treasurer, Equipment Manager, and Webmaster). Board members do not have to pay dues for the year they serve.

Does the club have discounts to area businesses?

Yes! GLAC members support local businesses and as a result GLAC members receive discounts from the following:

Where can I view the club's bylaws?

Here: GLAC Bylaws and Informal Rules

What do I have to do to be able to eat Will's pies?

Well, that's a tough one. Will's (a.k.a. Sunshine Will or Will Powers) pies are pretty darn special.
Bribes might work. Or carrying his pack.