Dear MSR colleagues,
Many people are making their flight arrangements for the IAMSR conference on "Leadership, Spirituality and Education", which is co-sponsored by MSR, the International Association of Management, Spirituality and Religion (home of the JMSR journal), and the Tyson Center for Faith and Spirituality in the Workplace at the University of Arkansas.
The conference begins at 12:30 on Thursday, May 18th, and ends before dinner on Saturday, May 20th. If you have not made your flight reservations yet, we encourage you to stay overnight on Saturday and participate in one of our post conference activities. Below is a list of some of the options available. Some are guided, some self-guided.
For more information about the conference, visit https://eventmobi.com/iamsr2017info/ . You will find a list of papers, symposia, and PDWs on that site. We will be updating that list shortly.
Warm Regards, Judi Neal
Post Conference Options for Sunday, May 21, 2017
There is no charge for most of these events, although donations to the organizations that provide guides are encouraged. When the time gets closer, we will ask for signups so we can plan logistics.
Outdoor events
- Lost Valley Hike with guides
- Length: 1.5 hours to get to Lost Valley. Hike is between 2-4 hours, depending on choice of trails.
- Description: There is a cave at top of steep climb that people can choose to explore. But trail can be cut off at any point. It is fairly easy back to natural bridge pool and then moderate going on to Eden Falls and shelter bluff cave. Both should be really interesting, then steeper going on to cave. We can have 2-3 guides so can accommodate those needing easy, shorter hike; one guide for moderate and one for more difficult.
- Bring: Wear good hiking shoes that support ankles if climbing. Sneakers are fine for the easy section at beginning. Bring water, snack or lunch if on longer hike. Bug spray if one uses it. It is shady so no sunscreen is needed.
- Website: http://www.buffaloriver.com/pages/lost-valley-trail/
- Devil's Den Hike with guides
- Length: 30 minutes to get to Devil's Den State park. Short hikes, under an hour.
- Description: Hikes can be short and easy by the river, or longer and of moderate intensity in the mountains
- Bring: Wear good hiking shoes that support ankles if climbing. Sneakers are fine for the sections by the river. Bring water, snack or lunch if on longer hike. Bug spray if one uses it. It is shady so no sunscreen is needed.
- Website: https://www.arkansasstateparks.com/devilsden/
- Woolsey Wet Prairie Sanctuary with guides
- Length: 10 minutes to get to the sanctuary. Short hike, under an hour.
- Description: Woolsey Wet Prairie Sanctuary (WWPS) is a wetland mitigation site adjacent to Fayetteville's West Side Wastewater Treatment Facility. WWPS is a former seasonal wetland associated with Tallgrass Prairie habitat. The area is open and attractive to birds otherwise hard to find in an urban environment. WWPS consists of a series of shallow wet cells separated by earthen berms. The many 'islands' are actually prairie mounds that are a natural feature of unplowed or moderately plowed former prairies. Native plant diversity is very high and Osage burrowing crawfish, an endemic species associated with seasonal wetlands, are common. The earthen berms provide a good walking surface throughout the 30-plus acres.
- Bring: The walking is easy, but it can be damp or wet in places, so wear boots or something you don't mind getting wet. There are no bathrooms or other facilities. Visitors with walking limitations will find the berms easy to negotiate.
- Website: http://www.arkansas.com/outdoors/birding/birds/bird-detail.aspx?id=38
- Buffalo River Float Trip (there will be a cost for this trip)
- Length: 1.5 hours to get to the Buffalo River. Float trips can be 4-6 hours.
- Description: This trip will be hosted by the University of Arkansas Recreation Department
- Bring: Lunch, sunscreen, hat, clothing made of quick-dry materials, such as lightweight poly-pro for warmer air/water temperatures and fleece when things are chilly. Cotton is to be avoided, especially denim jeans. For shoes, wear something you don't mind getting wet and that also provides a sturdy footbed and straps securely to your foot. Sandals made for river wear or even tennis shoes are better than flip flops or slide-on sandals.
- Website: http://www.buffaloriver.com/pages/floating/before-you-float/
Faith and Spiritual Activities
- A full list of local places of worship is available. There is a mega-church about 25 minutes from campus, for those who might be interested in experiencing a large, evangelical church worship service.
- Thorncrown Chapel is a beautiful sacred chapel in a wooded setting about an hour from Fayetteville – a peaceful drive through the Ozark countryside. It has been called "one of the finest religious spaces of modern times." Designed by Fay Jones, an award winning Fayetteville architect. http://thorncrown.com This is a great place to visit on the way to Eureka Springs (see below).
Cultural and Tourist Activities
- Download the Fayetteville Visitors Guide here http://www.experiencefayetteville.com/guide
- Fayetteville is one of the top 20 beer destinations according to Travelocity. Visit our many local breweries on the Fayetteville Ale Trail: http://fayettevillealetrail.com.
- Sunday Salon Artist Talks at Fayetteville Underground, 2-5pm. http://www.fayettevilleunderground.org
- War Eagle Mill is a working gristmill in Benton County, about 45 minutes from Fayetteville. You can watch the mill at work and buy high quality locally produced cornmeal and other grains, as well as other locally made food items. The restaurant serves great beans and cornbread in an old time atmosphere. https://wareaglemill.com
- Eureka Springs is a funky, artsy, Victorian spa town an hours drive through the Ozarks from Fayetteville. Lots of great restaurants, galleries, and other tourist attractions. http://www.eurekasprings.org
- Northwest Arkansas Visitors Guide: https://issuu.com/vpointcommunications/docs/nata_visitors_guide_2017_flipbook?e=14230445/43484412