Saturday, December 31, 2016

All Nighter Strikes Again!

The good news is that this is the last all nighter I will do for the rest of the year!!!

The bad news is that this is the last day of the year LOL!

Pushing hard to get all my work deadlines completed before we leave at 5:30am for our mission trip in Costa Rica.

90 minutes till departure!!

GTD's 2017 Bucket List of Adventures!

LOOKING FOR SOMETHING EXCITING TO DO IN 2017???

We've got you covered!

Check out GTD's "Bucket List" of adventures planned for 2017!

Registration for all public events is now officially OPEN!!

Check out the event links on the left side menu to register (and for more info).

Friday, December 30, 2016

It's Official: Swamp Thing Scheduled For Jan 28-29, 2017


The official date for our annual Swamp Thing Everglades Backpacking Trip is Jan 28-29, 2017 (1 month away!). Details & Registration: click here


.

BIG NEWS!! $5000 Matching Gift Challenge!

BIG NEWS!!

GTD received a $5000 Matching Gift Challenge through the end of January!! Every dollar donated (or pledged monthly!!) will be matched dollar-for-dollar up to $5000!

YEAR-END DONATIONS: If you would like your donation to count on your 2016 taxes then date your check for Dec 30th or 31st and put it in the mail before Jan 1st. For online donations make your contribution by midnight of Dec 31st.

FUNDRAISING DEADLINE EXTENDED TO JANUARY 31st: With so many intermissions to our fundraising in the month of December we've decided to extend our deadline for NEW MONTHLY PARTNERS through the end of January.

OUR $100,000 GOAL IS WITHIN REACH: As you can see we've already raised $54,000 towards our $100k goal (Praise God! A new record!). If we maximize the $5000 Matching Gift then that will take us up to $64,000. That's only $36k from the goal!! 30 Monthly Partners @ $100/month (or 60 Monthly Partners @ $50/month) would turn this impossible goal into reality!!

TO MAKE A DONATION:
Online Donations: click here

Donating By Check: click here

Become a Monthly Partner: click here

Follow The Fundraising Results: click here

Thank you so much for supporting Going The Distance Adventure Ministry!! God bless you!!

SPECIAL THANKS: Our deepest gratitude and appreciation goes out to our generous Matching Gift Donor!! We are so blessed to be strongly supported by such great and caring people. Thank you so much! God bless you!!


.

Thursday, December 29, 2016

THANK YOU SO MUCH!!

THANK YOU SO MUCH!!

It has been 3 weeks since our RECORD BREAKING Annual Banquet and we are still getting caught up on thank you's.

We are still savoring that special night and overflowing with gratitude for all the people who made it so extraordinary.

THANK YOU Morgan Streetman for doing a superb job of MC'ing the event! You rocked it! (especially with that tuxedo!)

THANK YOU Tessa Ward Ashe, Amanda Marie, Jeanette Dunham, Matt Russell, Allison Langenburg, Pastor Justin Facenda, Carie Facenda, The Facenda Kids, Lauren Schaeffer, Richard Dunn, and Traci Garner Vescovi for standing up in front of nearly 200 people and sharing from your heart compelling and well articulated testimonies that touched all of us!

THANK YOU "JAG Award" recipients Tom & Jen Henriksen, Word of Life Bible Institute, and Landry Academy for making such a profound impact in the life of this ministry over the past year that it warranted recognition and the presentation of our highest honor. Thank you for advancing this ministry! We are forever indebted to you with the debt of love.

THANK YOU "Traci Extra Mile Award" recipients Traci Garner Vescovi, Laurie Finger, Carson Vescovi, Garrett Kline, Richard Dunn, Jerry Mullins, Kevin Starner, Erin Powell, William Miller, & The Hardy Huntley Charitable Foundation for going above and beyond the call of duty to serve, support, and advance this ministry over the past year. We are forever grateful!

THANK YOU Banquet Volunteers Kevin Starner, Kaden & Quinn Starner, Adam Zima, Heather Zima Faith & AJ Zima, Dick & Karen LaBrant, Amanda Marie, Richard Dunn, Jeanette Dunham (and her daughters!), Erin Freakin Hegedus, Traci Vescovi, Jerry & Ann Garner, Carson Vescovi, Garrett Kline, Trae Austin, Todd Baker-Rooney, Erin Powell, Bryan Wozniak, Kathy Powell, Tessa Ashe, Rachel Goette, and other helpful volunteers for your hard work, long hours, and positive attitudes to help make this event successful!!

THANK YOU Laurie Finger for planning and heading-up an unforgettable banquet that touched a lot of hearts, especially mine =). And thank you for your encouraging and inspiring words as you presented me with the JAG Award! You left me speechless which is a very difficult thing to do =).

THANK YOU Rob Beswetherick, Morgan Streetman, Dick & Karen LaBrant, Adam & Heather Zima, Kevin And-Ashley Starner for serving as our Board of Directors and faithfully attempting to steer this ministry towards that which glorifies God.

THANK YOU Pastor Charlie Martin for taking the time to make a special video that opened up this night of celebrating! Thank you for being one of my greatest spiritual heroes and investing your time and wisdom and zeal for Christ into my life!

THANK YOU to the 170 people who submitted videos full of testimonies, congratulations, and well wishes!!! I can't wait to watch every one of them!

THANK YOU Champion Donors, Table Sponsors, Ministry Partners, Monthly Partners, one-time donors, and banquet attendees for believing in and supporting this ministry!! God used you to make it a record breaking night!!

THANK YOU to the thousands and thousands of participants who trusted GTD to take them on God-awesome adventures over the past 20 years! We wouldn't exist without you!

THANK YOU GTD Volunteers and Interns who have faithfully served this ministry over the past 20 years. We couldn't accomplish God's call without your partnership. Ministry is a team sport. We can't do it without you!

THANK YOU to those who generously donated items towards our streamlined silent auction and raffles!

THANK YOU Carrabba's Italian Grill for another phenomenal meal!!

THANK YOU Largo Cultural Center for a wonderful venue to host our event and for your good customer service.

AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, THANK YOU GOD for blessing us with 20 years of ministry and giving us so many things to celebrate (namely, YOU!). Thank You for being our source, our drive, our purpose, our motivation, and the reason behind everything we do. As the apostle Paul once said, "What do we have that we have not received?" It's all from YOU and it's all for YOU! Thank you for Your love, Your inspiration, Your calling, Your guidance, Your patience, Your grace, and 10 million other amazing things that make You God!

THANK YOU ALL SO VERY VERY MUCH! WE CELEBRATE WHAT HAS BEEN AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO WHAT LIES AHEAD. WE LOVE YOU! GOD BLESS YOU!!!

(PS: I'm sorry if I left anyone out. I tried really really hard to not forget anyone.)


.

Thanks Work Crew!!

Special thanks to this awesome crew for all their help and hard work yesterday consolidating 3 storage units and 1 over packed office into 1 (larger) storage unit!!!

It would have taken me a week to do this by myself, but this fantastic team knocked it out in under 4 hours =)

They not only worked hard, but they also made it so much fun!!! I mean, when Tom wears a lampshade while moving then we know who the life of the party is haha!!

I will organize it all after our mission trip to Costa Rica.

Thank you guys for all your help!! God bless you =)

Work Crew: Tom Henriksen, Jason Lazzaro, Carson Vescovi, Taj Taylor, and myself

Saturday, December 24, 2016

Merry CHRISTmas & Happy Birthday Jesus!

'TIS THE SEASON TO BE JOLLY!

Merry CHRISTmas & Happy Birthday Jesus!

Wishing all of our family and friends a very Merry Christmas as we honor Jesus as the reason for the Christmas season.

We have so much to celebrate!

Much Love from DoLa (Doug & Laurie) =)




Friday, December 23, 2016

DAY 12 of 12: SO MUCH MORE!

(Click image to enlarge)
=======================
GTD's 12 Days of CHRISTmas
=======================
DAY 12 of 12:
SO MUCH MORE! (Moving & Shaking in 2017)
=======================

And on the 12th Day of CHRISTmas we DREAM a little more!
   Of what is already in the works... and of what could be!

We invite you to check out all the things that we working on for 2017... and beyond!

And we invite you to be a part of something God is doing in GTD. Join us on this adventure!

-----------------------------------
IN THE WORKS & A LITTLE DREAMING (Lord willing!):
-----------------------------------

<>  NEW DESTINATION: This year Laurie is picking our new adventure destination to recon. We will then add it to the 2018 calendar. We may open up some of our recon trips to the public!

<>  MORE PUBLIC EVENTS? We may add more to the calendar... Backpacking on the AT? Rock Climbing in TN? Rappelling in GA? Mission Trip to Costa Rica? Canoe Camping in central FL? We will see =)

<>  GTD CLASSES & OUTDOOR SKILLS TRAINING: Ever want to learn how to backpack? base camp? plan trips? paddle a canoe? cave? rock climb? rappel? lead a group devotion? start a non-profit? Well, we are working on making this a reality!

<>  DO-IT-YOURSELF ADVENTURES: Want to put together your own adventures or a family adventure?? GTD wants to help equip you to do just that!

<>  GTD RENTAL GEAR: Need a backpack? tent? hammock? sleeping pad? headlamp? 2-way radios? GTD wants to help get you ready for your adventure!

<>  IMMERSION TRIPS: We are kicking off our first ever immersion trips for a private group in the summer of 2017! We can't wait!!

<>  NEW STAFF & COMMISSION BASED NATION-WIDE ADVENTURE GUIDES: We are in the preliminary phase of looking into the possibilities of adding on a new part-timer as well as long range growth and development.

<>  NEW ADVENTURE(S)? It's our hope that 2017 will be the year we add Tree Climbing onto our list of adventures offered by GTD! And maybe another adventure or two??

<>  LEADERSHIP ADVENTURE CAMP: Another aspect to GTD that we've wanted to add on for years is adventure camps designed to develop leadership in teens and young adults. It's just a dream, but that's where all great things start!

<>  THRiVE DISCIPLESHIP SERIES: This has been a dream for 25 years... and it's getting closer to happening each month!

<>  NEW BACKPACKING LOCATIONS & ADD MORE A.T. SECTIONS: We want to add to our growing list of amazing backpacking destinations, especially on the Appalachian Trail!

<>  WEEKEND WARRIORS: GTD wants to supply more local short weekend adventure opportunities for those who really want to do more adventures, but have limited schedules.

<>  OFFICE RENOVATIONS & EQUIPMENT RESTORATION: We still have many projects to complete!!! Office renovations, trailer repairs, truck repairs, kayak repairs, gear repairs, and so much more!

<>  VOLUNTEERS, INTERNS, AND GUIDES: We need a lot more volunteers, interns, and guides to help with all the projects, trip-prep, trip providing, and post trip clean-up. There are many places in GTD to use your gift for eternal purposes!

<>  MINISTRY PARTNER PERKS: We want to work on enhancing our Ministry Partner perks (such as free use of some gear or opportunities to be involved on recon trips or discounts from local stores and restaurants). We want to bless the people who bless us so much!

<>  GRANT WRITING & FUND RAISING: One area that we have had very little time to invest in is applying for grants and increasing our fund raising efforts. We believe this is going to be a big part of our future.

<>  NEW BOARD MEMBERS, ADVISORY BOARDS, & COMMITTEES: We are building up a new generation of Trustees for our Board of Directors and we hope to create an Advisory Board as well to enhance the ministry. We also plan to create short-term objective-based committees to tackle bigger projects.

<>  NEW GEAR CACHES? We are assessing our needs to see if there is a demand for another gear cache location in 2017. (Utah? Albuquerque? Knoxville?)

<>  NEW BROCHURES & UPDATES TO WEBSITE: We are close to having all new brochures, business cards, and thousands of printed material to promote GTD. We are also in the process of overhauling our website.

<>  SO MUCH MORE! I could add so much more, but you get the picture... a lot of things are in the works and there is plenty of room for you to get more involved!

Thank you so much for your involvement in this ministry! We are looking forward to what God has in store for 2017 and beyond! Thank you for your prayers, encouragement, and support! You are helping to build a ministry that makes a bigger and bigger eternal impact for God's glory!

Follow our daily updates and monthly progress by regularly clicking on our blogsite.

Have a very Merry CHRISTmas and Happy New Year... and we hope you can join us on this God-awesome adventure in 2017!

God bless you!

=====================================
This is part of GTD's 12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS.
=====================================
Each day during Dec 12-24 we are unveiling a different upcoming GTD adventure (along with its website) that made it onto our 2017 Public Event Calendar. Check back each day for the latest and greatest from GTD!
=====================================


.

Thursday, December 22, 2016

DAY 11 of 12: COLORADO DestiNATION Dream Trip


======================
GTD's 12 Days of Christmas
======================
DAY 11 of 12:
COLORADO DestiNATION Dream Trip (Oct 2017)
======================

COLORADO!!! Need I say anything else?!?!

Check out the website if you need any more incentive to sign-up for this event.

Join us in Oct 2017 for this God-awesome BUCKET LIST DREAM TRIP!

AT-A-GLANCE:

Trip: COLORADO DestiNATION Dream Trip
Dates: Oct 2-7, 2017 (Mon-Sat)
Location: Durango / Silverton / Ouray / Telluride / Albuquerque
Cost: $899 (plus food and airfare)
Website & Details: click here

We hope you can join us on this God-awesome adventure!

===========================
This is part of GTD's 12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS.
===========================
Each day during Dec 12-24 we are unveiling a different upcoming GTD adventure (along with its website) that made it onto our 2017 Public Event Calendar. Check back each day for the latest and greatest from GTD!
======================================


.

Wednesday, December 21, 2016

DAY 10 of 12: NOMAD Backpacking Trip to Jacks River Trail

======================
GTD's 12 Days of Christmas
======================
DAY 10 of 12:
NOMAD Backpacking Trip to Jacks River Trail (May 2017)
======================

ONE OF THE BEST BACKPACKING TRAILS YOU COULD EVER HIKE!!

17 Miles.... 42 River Crossings!!

NOMAD is one of GTD's exciting backpacking adventures into the wild. Nowadays it's a rare opportunity to escape all of the busyness of life and enjoy the serenity that is found in God's majestic creation. Yet, it is something that we all long for. NOMAD is your ticket to God's untamed amusement park - the wilderness. With packs on our back full of essential gear GTD will guide you through this multi-day journey on a premiere back-country trail. Along the trail we will encounter stunning views, beautiful plant life, and the possible sightings of wildlife. This is a Christ-centered, adventurous, and primitive hike. Once we leave the parking lot we will be in the wilderness for multiple days where there are no special amenities beyond what you carry in your backpack. Each morning we will jump start the day with some powerful Biblically based devotions and each night we will be jolted to life with a challenging Biblical message. Our hope is that God will impact your life in an unbelievable way. So come join GTD on this amazing backpacking adventure we call NOMAD!

Join us in May 2017 for this God-awesome aqua adventure!

AT-A-GLANCE:

Trip: NOMAD Backpacking Trip
Dates: May 26-29 (Fri-Mon) (Memorial Day Weekend)
Location: Jacks River Trail in Blue Ridge, GA
Cost: $199 (plus food and transportation)
Website & Details: click here

We hope you can join us on this God-awesome adventure!

======================================
This is part of GTD's 12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS.
======================================
Each day during Dec 12-24 we are unveiling a different upcoming GTD adventure (along with its website) that made it onto our 2017 Public Event Calendar. Check back each day for the latest and greatest from GTD!
======================================


.

Tuesday, December 20, 2016

DAY 9 of 12: PADDLE PROWL Canoe Camping Trip to Ten Thousand Islands

======================
GTD's 12 Days of Christmas
======================
DAY 9 of 12:
PADDLE PROWL Canoe Camping Trip to Ten Thousand Islands (Feb 2017)
======================

YOU ASKED FOR IT AND WE LISTENED... PADDLE PROWL IS BAAAAAACK IN 2017!!

This is one of my personal favorite trips and I'm thrilled to put it back on the calendar for next year!!

PADDLE PROWL is what we call our multi-day canoe camping trip that's open to the public. People come to Florida from all over the US to paddle down some of the best waterways in the country. Many of these watery destinations stretch for hundreds of miles and take several days to experience by canoe or kayak. PADDLE PROWL is designed to help paddlers get a taste of some of Florida's top liquefied paradises as we prowl down another one of God's amazing creations.

Let GTD put you in the seat of one of our Mohawk Blazer Canoes as we pack in our gear and lurk down God's viscous playgroud.  When we aren't paddling we will either be playing in the water, fishing for dinner, setting up camp, or spending time growing in our faith. It's a God-awesome Christ-centered total package!
We can take up to 20 canoers per trip. Spots do go fast so sign up today. atmosphere.

Join us in Feb 2017 for this God-awesome aqua adventure!

AT-A-GLANCE:

Trip: PADDLE PROWL Canoe Camping Trip
Dates: Feb 25-26 (Sat-Sun) (with a free option to camp out Fri night)
Location: Ten Thousand Islands in Marco Island, FL
Cost: Only $59 (plus food and daily parking fees)
Website & Details: click here

We hope you can join us on this God-awesome adventure!

======================================
This is part of GTD's 12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS.
======================================
Each day during Dec 12-24 we are unveiling a different upcoming GTD adventure (along with its website) that made it onto our 2017 Public Event Calendar. Check back each day for the latest and greatest from GTD!
======================================


.

Monday, December 19, 2016

DAY 8 of 12: GRUNGE Caving Day Trip (FREE!!)

======================
GTD's 12 Days of Christmas
======================
DAY 8 of 12:
GRUNGE Caving Day Trip (June 2017) FREE!!
======================

GRUNGE is GTD's underground caving adventure. It's a whole other world under the ground and GTD wants to take you there. Whether you are walking through limestone caverns or crawling through bowling ball sized holes you will be blown away by the playground God created beneath the surface of the earth. GRUNGE is the essence of being a kid - exploring holes and passage ways that will both challenge & amaze you.

GTD will equip you with all of the safety gear you need as you light up the darkness and discover a whole new world of hidden adventures.

GRUNGE is a Christ centered event that is seasoned with prayer and provided in a Godly Christian atmosphere.

Join us in June 2017 for this God-awesome underground adventure!

AT-A-GLANCE:

Trip: GRUNGE Caving Day Trip
Dates: TBD (Hopefully June 2017) (Sat)
Location: Ocala, FL
Cost: FREE!! (includes lunch!)
Website & Details: click here

We hope you can join us on this God-awesome adventure!

======================================
This is part of GTD's 12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS.
======================================
Each day during Dec 12-24 we are unveiling a different upcoming GTD adventure (along with its website) that made it onto our 2017 Public Event Calendar. Check back each day for the latest and greatest from GTD!
======================================


.

Sunday, December 18, 2016

DAY 7 of 12: OFF SEASON (GTD closed for 2017 Christmas Season)

======================
GTD's 12 Days of Christmas
======================
DAY 7 of 12:
OFF SEASON (GTD closed for 2017 Christmas Season)
======================

This may sound like the craziest post to make about our 2017 Public Event Calendar, but I feel it is even more appropriate to post about our time off (or our off-season) since today is Sunday (my typical Sabbath day).

We know this ministry is all about fun and travels and adventure and seeking God, but believe it or not, all of those things are hard work. A lot of our adventures trips are so packed full of physical exertion that it often leaves our participants (and staff) physically exhausted. As one group leaves to go home to recuperate we are scurrying to prepare for the next group that is about to arrive, and then we go-go-go hard for the next trip. Our work days are usually 16-18 hours long without a day off for weeks at a time. Sometimes our peak season lasts 2, 3, and sometimes 4 months long with very little (and sometimes no) rest and recover. We are often away from home and the office for up to 5 months out of the year and then have huge amounts of administration work piled up for us upon return. Those piles usually take a few months to get caught up on as we also work to plan out the next season of events. We typically fall behind on our closest relationships with family and friends. None of these are complaints. We love what we do and we are beyond blessed to be able to do what we do where we do it and with the caliber of people we get to do it with. It is an amazing blessing. But, the schedule is very difficult on stress levels, rest, recovery, sleeping patterns, relationships, church attendance, life group participation, working out, eating healthy, and the list goes on. The easiest way to put it is that we live a "binge life". For 3 months we binge on new year's goal and spring events. For 3 months we binge on summer events. For 1 month we binge on events out west. For 1 month we binge on our banquet event. For 2-3 months we binge on piles of office work. And now we are planning to binge on a protected and vital 6 week off-season that will promote rest, recovery, relationships, balance, and prevent burn-out. Just like the Sabbath was designed this off-season will be a time to cease from striving so that when it comes time to strive again we are ready to run with all perseverance towards the goals God has set before us. So for 2017 we won't have any events planned for Nov 18 - Dec 31.

So I amusingly encourage you to not plan on a God-awesome GTD event from Nov 18 - Dec 31, 2017! We will be on our off-season... and loving every minute of it =)

AT-A-GLANCE:

Event: OFF-SEASON (NO GTD EVENTS)
Dates: Nov 18 - Dec 31, 2017 (6 weeks)
Location: Wherever
Cost: Priceless!
Website & Details: www.gtdbullhorn.blogspot.com

We hope you enjoy your Thanksgiving & Christmas holidays in 2017!


.

Saturday, December 17, 2016

DAY 6 of 12: ANNUAL BANQUET (GTD's 21 Year Anniversary)

======================
GTD's 12 Days of Christmas
======================
DAY 6 of 12:
ANNUAL BANQUET 21 Year Anniversary (Nov 14, 2017)
======================

We just finished our 2016 Annual Banquet and we are already planning for 2017!

DID YOU KNOW... As a non-profit 501(c)(3) outdoor adventure ministry GTD relies on donors for about 25% of our annual budget? That means that each year GTD needs to raise nearly $40,000 to stay on a healthy course.

The remaining 75% ($110,000) of our annual budget comes from what we charge for events. We believe that the Lord has led us to be primarily a program supported ministry instead of a completely donation dependent ministry.

Each year we hold an Annual Banquet to celebrate the successes and fruit of that year and to raise funds for the upcoming year. The banquet is anything but boring! It always supplies a whole lot of fun, inspiration, and time to recognize and celebrate our supporters and volunteers.

Go ahead and SAVE-THE-DATE! Join us on Nov 14, 2017 for another God-awesome Annual Banquet!

AT-A-GLANCE:

Event: ANNUAL BANQUET
Dates: Nov 14, 2017 (Tues night)
Location: Largo, FL
Cost: Starting at $20/person or $150 for a table of 8
Website & Details: click here

We hope you can join us on this God-awesome adventure!

======================================
This is part of GTD's 12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS.
======================================
Each day during Dec 12-24 we are unveiling a different upcoming GTD adventure (along with its website) that made it onto our 2017 Public Event Calendar. Check back each day for the latest and greatest from GTD!
======================================

Friday, December 16, 2016

DAY 5 of 12: SLAMMED 22nd Annual Adventure Trip

======================
GTD's 12 Days of Christmas
======================
DAY 5 of 12:
SLAMMED 22nd Annual Adventure Trip (July 2017)
======================

SLAMMED is GTD's original favorite. This is the Adventure Trip that started it all! SLAMMED is the first trip (and only trip) offered by GTD in 1996 and God used it to give birth to our full time year-round ministry today (ALL glory to God!).

Over the course of 5 days GTD slams you with several heart-pounding adrenaline-pumping adventures that will exhilarate you to the core! In our time together we will travel to Pisgah National Forest in North Carolina to go camping, rock climbing, whitewater rafting, waterfall sliding, hiking, and cliff jumping (and we may even throw in a zipline!). Now you see why we call it SLAMMED!

Join us at the end of July 2017 for our God-awesome 22nd Annual SLAMMED Adventure Trip!

AT-A-GLANCE:

Trip: SLAMMED (22nd Annual Adventure Trip)
Dates: July 29 - Aug 2, 2017 (Sat-Wed)
Location: Brevard, NC (Pisgah National Forest)
Cost: Starting at $199/person
Website & Details: click here

We hope you can join us on this God-awesome adventure!

======================================
This is part of GTD's 12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS.
======================================
Each day during Dec 12-24 we are unveiling a different upcoming GTD adventure (along with its website) that made it onto our 2017 Public Event Calendar. Check back each day for the latest and greatest from GTD!
======================================


.

Thursday, December 15, 2016

DAY 4 of 12: SWAMP THING Backpacking Trip


=================================
GTD's 12 Days of Christmas
=================================
DAY 4 of 12:
SWAMP THING Backpacking Trip (Jan 2017)
=================================

Swamp Thing is a weekend Christ-centered backpacking journey into one of North America's unsung wild places - the Everglades of south Florida. The Big Cypress Swamp is a spectacular, rugged, rare, subtropical landscape experienced by very few adventurous souls each year. It is hauntingly beautiful. And it is enormous, covering 2400 square miles.

GTD's Swamp Thing Backpacking Trip is a 8 mile out-and-back (4 miles each way) hike through the fresh water swamp that flows into the Everglades. We will trek in 4 miles and camp for 1 night on a small pineland island which is surrounded by an endless river of grass, cypress trees, and marsh swamps. During our time we will explore some of the rarest terrain in the world. About 75% of our hiking trail is through swamp water measuring from ankle to knee deep.

Join us at the end of next month (January 2017) for our annual romp in the swamp!

AT-A-GLANCE:

Trip: SWAMP THING (Everglades Backpacking Trip)
Dates: (Specific dates TBD): Either Jan 21-22 or 28-29, 2017 (Sat-Sun)
Location: Naples, FL (Big Cypress Preserve)
Cost: Starting at $59/person
Website & Details: click here

We hope you can join us on this God-awesome adventure!

======================================
This is part of GTD's 12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS.
======================================
Each day during Dec 12-24 we are unveiling a different upcoming GTD adventure (along with its website) that made it onto our 2017 Public Event Calendar. Check back each day for the latest and greatest from GTD!
======================================


.

TONIGHT'S MEETING POSTPONED UNTIL JANUARY

Unfortunately due to sickness we will be postponing tonight's "GTD Interest Meeting" until after the holidays and our mission trip.

The new date for the meeting will be January 26, 2017 (Thursday night 6:30pm-8pm).

This meeting is open to anyone that would like to get more involved in GTD (such as volunteering, interning, potential guides, etc).

We look forward to seeing you next month! Have a very Merry CHRISTmas and a Happy New Year!

Wednesday, December 14, 2016

DAY 3 of 12: IGNITE Camping Retreat

=================================
GTD's 12 Days of Christmas
=================================
DAY 3 of 12:
IGNITE Camping Retreat (March 2017)
=================================

IGNITE is GTD's affordable family friendly spring camping retreat!

IGNITE has all kinds of fun activities such as camping, bon fires, high ropes course, a zipline, swimming, low ropes course, field games, outdoor movies, daily devotionals, delicious meals, smores, and optional add-on's of paintball and bunkhouses.

Join us on March 17-19, 2017 for a jam packed weekend of God-awesome fun!

AT-A-GLANCE:

Trip: IGNITE (Spring Camping Retreat)
Dates: March 17-19, 2017 (Fri-Sun)
Location: Hudson, FL (Word of Life)
Cost: Starting at $35/person (paintball & bunkhouses available)
Website & Details: click here

We hope you can join us on this God-awesome adventure!

======================================
This is part of GTD's 12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS.
======================================
Each day during Dec 12-24 we are unveiling a different upcoming GTD adventure (along with its website) that made it onto our 2017 Public Event Calendar. Check back each day for the latest and greatest from GTD!
======================================


.

Tuesday, December 13, 2016

DAY 2 of 12: LIQUID (GTD's FREE Canoeing Day Trip)

==============================
DAY 2: LIQUID (GTD's FREE Canoeing Day Trip)
==============================

This is GTD's version of Free "Live Streaming"!

What's better than a day of canoeing at Weedon Island??? A FREE day of canoeing at Weedon Island (including a free lunch!)

Join us on Saturday April 15th (the day before Easter) for a fun day of canoeing through a maze of mangroves at Weedon Island in St Petersburg, FL. It's always a splash!

AT-A-GLANCE:
 
Trip: LIQUID (Canoeing Day Trip)
Dates: April 15, 2017 (Sat) (2 Sessions)
Location: St Petersburg, FL (Weedon Island)
Cost: FREE (includes lunch!)
Website & Details: click here

We hope you can join us on this God-awesome adventure!

=============================
This is part of GTD's 12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS.
=============================
Each day during Dec 12-24 we are unveiling a different upcoming GTD adventure (along with its website) that made it onto our 2017 Public Event Calendar. Check back each day for the latest and greatest from GTD!
======================================


.

Monday, December 12, 2016

Thank You Dana & Martha!

Sometimes THANK YOU just isn't a big enough word! That's how I feel about my amazing cousins Dana & Martha Ward. They are 2 of the best people you will ever meet... thoughtful, caring, encouraging, big-hearted, outgoing, fun-loving, and the list goes on. They founded and run a fantastic business in Orlando called, Real Estate Closing Solutions. Everything they do, they do with excellence. I want to give a huge shout-out to my awesome cousins for the time and love they've invested in me through the years. As I reflect on 20 years of ministry I can't help but thank God for the people who have played an essential role in the life of this ministry. Dana & Martha, thank you so much for believing in me and GTD! Thank you for supporting our mission and vision through the years! My heart overflows with gratitude for the difference you make in my life and the life of this ministry! Thank you for your friendship, love, and for helping us to do what we do! Looking forward to doing an adventure with you guys in 2017! God bless you =)


.

DAY 1 of 12: UTAH - The Mighty 5

==========================
DAY 1: UTAH - The Mighty 5
==========================

It's baaaaaaack!

We are happy to announce that "The Mighty 5 UTAH Trip" made it back on the GTD Public Event Calendar for 2017!

We had a fantastic trip there a few months ago and several people have expressed interest in going on our Utah Trip in 2017.

During our 6-day trip we will visit 5 National Parks - Zion, Bryce, Capitol Reef, Canyonland, and Arches. We will immerse ourselves in breathtaking scenery as we hike The Narrows, Angels Landing, Navajo Hoodoo Trail, go apple picking and much, much more! It's a once-in-a-lifetime bucket list trip!

AT-A-GLANCE:
Trip: UTAH - The Mighty 5 Trip
Dates: Sept 18-23, 2017 (6 days; 5 nights)
Cost: Starting at $849 (plus airfare & meals)
Website & Details: click here

We hope you can join us on this God-awesome adventure of a lifetime!

====================================
This is part of GTD's 12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS.
====================================
Each day during Dec 12-24 we are unveiling a different upcoming GTD adventure (along with its website) that made it onto our 2017 Public Event Calendar. Check back each day for the latest and greatest from GTD!
====================================


.

KICKING OFF GTD's 12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS!

Today GTD is kicking off our 12 Days of Christmas!!

Each day for the next 12 days we will unveil one of our upcoming Public Events planned for 2017 along with its website link filled with all the details.

We hope you and your loved ones can join us on a God-awesome GTD event in 2017!

We want to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas season =)


.

Friday, December 9, 2016

THE TRACI AWARD!

One of the great things about our Annual Banquet is that it is a time that Laurie and I can recognize and thank those who use their time, talents, and treasures to aid and advance the function of GTD.
 
This year was extra special because we unveiled a new award: THE TRACI VESCOVI EXTRA MILE AWARD! We are so thrilled to create an award that honors my sister and all the extra miles of help, effort, and heart that she pours into my life and especially into the life of this ministry. We couldn't do what we do if she didn't continually year after year after year do what she does to volunteer and take initiative to serve our ministry in ways that most people will never fully know. I'm so blessed to have her as my sister, to call her one of my best friends, and to have her partnership in ministry.
 
And now we are joyous beyond measure to be able to recognize that same type of volunteerism in others this year and every year from this point on by handing out "The Traci Award" to those who go above and beyond to serve this ministry.
 
You will also notice that the last 3 letters of exTRA are also the first 3 letters of TRAci. Also notice that the "c" creates the head of the woman on the award and that the "i" with Traci's trademark asterisk over top of the "i" forms a burning torch. The award is custom made to represent some special characteristics about Traci =)
 
=====================
The Award reads:
 
THE TRACI VESCOVI EXTRA MILE AWARD
 
HONORING THOSE WHOSE ATTITUDE AND ACTS OF SERVICE FOR GTD GO ABOVE AND BEYOND THE CALL OF DUTY.
 
RECOGNIZING THOSE WHOSE SELFLESS ACTIONS SIGNIFICANTLY AND POSITIVELY IMPACT, SUSTAIN, PRESERVE, AND PERPETUATE THE LIFE AND MISSION OF THIS MINISTRY.
 
YOU NOT ONLY WENT THE DISTANCE, YOU WENT THE EXTRA MILE!
 
MATTHEW 5:41
========================

(Thank you so much Traci!!)
 
This year's recipients are:
Traci Vescovi
Laurie Finger
Carson Vescovi
Garrett Kline
Richard Dunn
Jerry Mullins
Kevin Starner
Erin Powell
William Miller
 
Our deep and heartfelt thanks goes out to each and every one of you for your extra mile of love and support!

Thursday, December 8, 2016

RECORD BREAKING NIGHT!!

It's with a humble and joyful heart that I report that our Annual Banquet event has so far raised a GTD RECORD BREAKING amount of $53,004!!! (Glory to God!!!)

That puts us in striking distance (47k) of our overall goal of 100k by the end of the year!!

Donations ranged from $1 to $6600 and came through 65 generous people. You can see the breakdown of one-time donations and monthly pledges on the link below.

We want to PROFOUNDLY THANK EVERYONE who contributed to this jaw dropping total as well as everyone who volunteered and shared testimonies of the impact God made through GTD!! Our hearts overflow with joy for your support and belief in this ministry! Thank you so much for investing in GTD, in our 2017 program, and in the next 20 years of God-awesome ministry!!

Continue to follow our progress as we strive to hit our 100k goal by the end of the year! We have 3 weeks remaining in the end-of-the-year giving season and we are excited about this attainable ministry altering goal!!

To contribute to the cause and/or follow our daily progress click on the link below.

Thank you all so much and God bless you!!

Click here for banquet link


.

Wednesday, December 7, 2016

OVERWHELMED!!!

Last night's celebration of 20 years of ministry was full of surprises, cherished moments, and touching testimonials that left me speechless and often shedding tears of joy.

Laurie went above and beyond to make it an unforgettable once-in-a-lifetime experience that included a gift of video testimonies and well wishes from about 170 people (most of which I still haven't seen yet). The ones that I have seen so far blessed my heart more than I can express! Thank you so much to everyone who took time out of their day to make a video! I'm totally touched and blessed!

Thank you to everyone who donated time, talents, and treasures towards last night's event and GTD!! It means the world to us!!

There are many more things to share about last night over the next few days.

And we are still calculating the total amount raised which we hope to share very very soon. It was a late night (4am) so I'm a little tired, but much encouraged =)

Thank you to everyone that helped make last night so special!!

Monday, December 5, 2016

FINAL 4 TABLE SPONSORS PUSH US PAST OUR GOAL!!


It is with a full heart that we thank our final 4 table sponsors for helping us exceed our goal of 25 tables!!! As of right now we have 27 tables sponsored (just 2 less than our all time high of 29 set last year!)!!!

We want to express our heartfelt gratitude to the following people for their generosity, love, and support:

1) Anonymous Platinum Table Sponsor (MSL)
2) The Powell Family
3) Paul & Susan Salce (Laurie's awesome parents)
4) Bryan Wozniak

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR GRACIOUSLY AND THOUGHTFULLY DONATING TO GTD!

GOD BLESS YOU!!

(Track our updated progress here)


.

Can't Wait!!


23 HOURS TILL OUR CELEBRATION BANQUET!


.

BANQUET RSVP's SURGE OVER THE WEEKEND!

BLOWN AWAY! 62 more people added on to our banquet attendance over the weekend!!

Looking forward to an amazing night of celebrating and honoring God!

Track our daily progress, get more info about the banquet, RSVP, and/or donate to the cause on this link.


.

COLORADO 2017!!

Beyond THRILLED to announce that GTD's first official group trip to Colorado is planned for Oct 2-7, 2017... culminating with the Albuquerque Hot Air Balloon Fiesta!!

Details coming this Tuesday night at GTD's Annual Banquet =)

Soooooo stoked!

Friday, December 2, 2016

UNVEILING NEW AWARD AT THE BANQUET!

We are unveiling a BRAND NEW GTD AWARD at this year's banquet on Tuesday night!!

Can't wait to reveal what it is and who it is going to!! =)

Thursday, December 1, 2016

NEW GTD T-SHIRTS HAVE ARRIVED!

Our new GTD Ministry Partner T-shirts are in!!

They're not for sale... This is our small thank you gift to everyone who donates $100 or more or signs up for a monthly pledge of $10 or more.

We will be distributing them at our Annual Banquet this Tuesday night =)

Special thanks to Chuck Stewart and AxCelMark Corporation for their great & professional work =)

Wednesday, November 30, 2016

24' ENCLOSED TRAILER DONATED TO GTD!!

I learned a long time ago that you can't run a non-profit organization without the help of a lot of great people. Jerry Mullins is one of those great and generous people! Jerry owns "Mullins Enterprises & Concrete Pumping" in Pinellas Park, FL and serves on the City Council. He has supported our ministry in a lot of different ways for several years. Now he is doing it again. We are humbled & thrilled to share with you that Jerry Mullins has donated a 24' enclosed trailer that is in solid condition to GTD. That's a MAJOR BLESSING to us! Since GTD is a mobile ministry two of our most important pieces of equipment are the trailers that hold the adventure gear and the vehicles that pull those trailers. Without these pieces of equipment we couldn't get all the gear to the many different locations that we host events. In other words, these items are vital to accomplishment of our mission. We couldn't function without them. This donation will enable us to duplicate our ministry and open many more opportunities for GTD to grow and expand. This is a great addition to our ministry and we want to thank Jerry for his thoughtful and kindhearted generosity that will help launch GTD into a brighter 2017 and beyond! Thank you so much Jerry for all you do to support and help so many people and causes in our community! Thank you for being a blessing to GTD! We will get MANY YEARS of great use out of this trailer! You just blessed a lot of people! God bless you Sir =)


.

HERE ARE SOME GREAT BANQUET UPDATES!!

HERE ARE SOME GREAT UPDATES!!

1) 12 MORE TABLES SPONSORED SINCE TUESDAY!! ONLY 2 MORE TABLE SPONSORSHIPS TO GO TO HIT OUR GOAL OF 25!!

2) WE HAVE 2 MORE CHAMPION DONORS WITH DONATIONS OF $1000 OR MORE!

3) $2500 HAS BEEN DONATED TOWARDS THE DONOR MATCH CHALLENGE WHICH MEANS IT GETS DOUBLED TO $5000!!!

4) $110 PER MONTH HAS BEEN DONATED TOWARDS THE DONOR MATCH MONTHLY CHALLENGE WHICH MEANS IT GETS DOUBLED TO $220 PER MONTH X 12 MONTHS!!

5) WE'VE HAD 2 MORE $1000 "BUCKETS" FILLED UP BY MULTI-DONORS... AND WE ARE CLOSE TO FILLING UP ANOTHER CHAMPION DONATION "BUCKET"!!

We have raised nearly 20% of our $100,000 Goal (Glory to God!) with 1 month to go =)

It's with full hearts that we want to thank our most recent donors...

- THANK YOU SO MUCH to our 2 new anonymous Champion Donors for your magnanimous contributions to GTD! We are blown away by your generosity! You are amazing! God bless you! We love you!

- THANK YOU SO MUCH to the following Table Sponsors, Donors, & Monthly Partners for believing in this ministry and generously supporting our mission. We love you! Thank you so very much:
  <> Dana & Martha Ward (my phenomenal and super fun cousins!)
  <> JC & Janessa Jannarone along with Gracie & Ella!! (our beautiful friends and awesome people!)
  <> Dennis & Lindsay McCormick (our incredible, thoughtful, & fantastic friends!)
  <> "The Originals" (our great & anonymous Old School GTD'ers!)
  <> Karen & Dick LaBrant (absolutely amazing people!)
  <> Anonymous (6 Tables) (terrific & generous couple!)
  <> Anonymous (2 Tables) (super fun people & dear friends!)

- AND ANOTHER THANK YOU TO OUR ANONYMOUS MATCHING DONORS!!! YOU ARE MAKING A HUGE DIFFERENCE IN THIS MINISTRY EVERY DAY! THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH!!

To make a one-time donation, sponsor a table, and/or become a Monthly Partner (as well as seeing the current level of the bucket and to track our overall progress) click on this link.

You can make a difference!

Going The Distance Adventure Ministry (GTD)
Celebrating 20 years of ministry!
Love'n Life Because of Jesus Christ!


.

31 FREE TICKETS!!

We are excited to announce that 31 complimentary tickets have been made available by our generous Table Sponsors & Donors for our Annual Banquet next week (Dec 6th at 6:30pm in Largo, FL).

Complimentary tickets do go quickly so we recommend that you RSVP online as soon as possible.

RSVP

BANQUET DETAILS



.

Tuesday, November 29, 2016

HUGE NEWS!!!! (Matching Gifts Challenge!)

HUGE NEWS!!!! (And it's so appropriate that it's #GivingTuesday)

We have 2 VERY GENEROUS ANONYMOUS DONORS who have thrown down a Matching Gift Challenge for GTD!!

One of them will match dollar-for-dollar every one-time donation to GTD up to $6600!! (Thank you so much Champion Donor!!)

The second will match dollar-for-dollar every dollar pledged per month to GTD up to $400 for the next 12 months ($400 x 12 mths = $4800)!! (Thank you so much Monthly Partner!!)
 
That means that every dollar you donate becomes 2 dollars... $10 becomes $20... $50 becomes $100... $1000 becomes $2000... $6600 becomes $13,200!!!
 
That also means that if you pledge $25/mth to GTD for the next 12 months they will also pledge $25/mth for the next 12 months. Your $25 monthly pledge becomes $50 monthly pledges. If you pledge $100 they will match it and pledge $100... all the way up to $400 cumulatively.
 
THAT'S ABSOLUTELY AMAZING!!! THIS CHALLENGE HAS THE POTENTIAL TO EQUAL $22,800 IN TOTAL DONATIONS!!!
 
We need your help in order to meet this challenge. You can double your impact by making a one-time donation or monthly pledge to GTD (or both!) today!! This is a great way to maximize your impact in a ministry that God is using to impact lives!
 
To make a one-time donation and/or a monthly pledge to GTD click on the links below (or email us or call us with the amount you are mailing in or pledging).
 
THANK YOU SO MUCH!!! GOD BLESS YOU!!!

Links:
One-Time Donations click here   |   Monthly Pledges click here

GTD Email: info@goingthedistance.org
GTD Phone: 727-394-9483 (727-FYI-9-GTD)

CELEBRATING 20 YEARS OF GOD-AWESOME MINISTRY!


.

Monday, November 28, 2016

FUND RAISING UPDATE (8 Days To Go!!)

3 MORE TABLES SPONSORED!! (#9, 10, & 11)!!

1 MORE CHAMPION DONOR MONTHLY PARTNER!!

1 MORE $1000 "BUCKET" FILLED BY MULTI-DONORS!!

I'm happy to share some great news and several updates that have transpired over the past 10 days in regards to our Annual Banquet.

First, we had 3 new Bronze Table Sponsors added to the fold to bring our total number of sponsored tables to 11 for our Annual Banquet scheduled for Dec 6th. We want to profoundly thank Brad Beohler, Lauren Schaeffer, and GAP (Graduates And Professionals) Connection Group of First Baptist Church of Indian Rocks for their generous support and sponsorship of next week's Annual Banquet. Thank you so much!!! God bless you for your generous act of kindness to this ministry!!

Secondly, we want to give a huge THANK YOU to Taylor Peak (my amazing "adopted" Adventure Daughter!) for taking the $1000 Champion Donor Challenge and increasing her monthly support for the next 12 months to a level that exceeds $1000 per year!! Monthly Ministry Partners profoundly impact our ministry in powerful ways. Simply put, we couldn't do what we do without them. That makes them an indispensable part of GTD! Taylor, thank you for your friendship and long term & consistent support of GTD! And thank you for taking The Champion Donor Challenge!! We always have and always will LOVE you! God bless you for your partnership in this ministry! You're making a difference!

And lastly, we want to thank the multiple thoughtful, kind, and generous donors and monthly partners that have begun to contribute towards a $1000 Champion Donation. They allow us to pool their donations with other's donation so that when it's combined equals $1000. We had enough donors to fill another $1000 "bucket" as we strive to fill one hundred $1000 "buckets" by the end of the year to reach our $100,000 goal. We currently have $250 in the next bucket so we only need $750 to fill another bucket!

We have 1 week to go until our banquet and we've already exceeded $10,000 in donations and pledges!! (Praise Jesus!). You can follow our daily updates, track our fund raising progress, donate towards the cause, and RSVP to our Annual Banquet on our blogsite at this link.

Thank you so much! God bless you for your partnership!!


.

HAVASU FALLS BACKPACKING TRIP 2016 (The Rest Of The Journey)

Here are 7 pics from our 10 hike into HAVASU FALLS (including the last 2 miles in the Indian Village of Supai)!









DESCEND AT OWN RISK! (MOONEY FALLS)
Our next adventure was the epic descent down the side of a cliff to the base of Mooney Falls!
Mooney Falls looks similar to Havasu Falls, but in subtle ways is more dramatic, exciting, and fun. We had a BLAST!










BEAVER FALLS DAY HIKE!
This was one of the BEST day hikes I've ever done... a 4 mile round-trip journey to Beaver Falls from our campsite at Havasu Falls. There was so much beauty and so much variety as we hiked this amazing oasis... check out the pictures to see what I mean... God-awesome spectacular beauty!!
Loved every second of it!









GET TO THE CHOPPER!
Here's our final 8 recap pictures from a terrific trip including our campsite, footbridge crossings, hiking in the rain, our helicopter ride out, visit to Sedona, and a "polar bear" cliff jump into 45 degree water! An incredible trip with incredible people!











.