Travel and Tourism Honor

Recreational Activities

Requirements

  1. List all the types of transportation you can think of that people use around the world. Narrow this previous list down to the five most common means of transportation. List the pros and cons of each of the five.

    Answer: 1) Car: pros — urban speed, autonomy and schedule flexibility; cons — fuel/maintenance cost, traffic and pollution. 2) Bus: pros — cheap and efficient on fixed routes; cons — slow, subject to crowding and many stops. 3) Airplane: pros — ultra-fast over long distances and international reach; cons — expensive, baggage restrictions and waiting/boarding time. 4) Train: pros — comfortable, punctual and low emissions; cons — limited to the rails and restricted coverage. 5) Ship/boat: pros — transports large volumes and crosses seas/rivers; cons — very slow and dependent on ports and the weather. — The choice depends on distance, cost, time and purpose. Each means has its ideal niche. The car dominates medium-sized cities. The airplane is unbeatable on transcontinental routes. The train is strong in Europe and Japan (high speed). The bicycle is growing in sustainable urban mobility. Understanding the pros/cons helps to plan trips with judgment. In 2026, options are emerging with electric cars, eVTOLs (urban air taxis) and hyperloop trains in development worldwide.

  2. List some of the pros and cons of the following types of lodging:
    • Hotel
    • Youth Hostel
    • Friends / family
    • Trailer/campgrounds
    • Resorts

    Answer: 1) Hotel: Pros — comfort, security, cleanliness, services (reception, breakfast, private room), good location. Cons — usually more expensive, a more formal/impersonal atmosphere and schedules to follow (check-in/check-out). 2) Youth Hostel: Pros — low price, a social atmosphere that makes it easy to meet other travelers, a good option for young people and backpackers. Cons — rooms and bathrooms usually shared, less privacy, house rules and variable cleanliness standards. 3) Friends / family: Pros — usually free or very cheap, affectionate warmth, companionship and the safety of being with people you know. Cons — depends on favors, requires etiquette and respect for the hosts' routine, there is usually little privacy and limited length of stay. 4) Trailer / campsites: Pros — direct contact with nature, low cost, freedom and flexibility of itinerary. Cons — exposure to the weather, simple infrastructure (shared bathrooms, little electricity), requires more preparation and equipment. 5) Resorts: Pros — everything in one place (lodging, food, leisure and activities), high comfort, ideal for rest and families, often on the all-inclusive system. Cons — it is the most expensive type, it can isolate the guest from the culture and the local reality, and it offers little incentive to get to know the region outside the complex. — The choice of lodging influences the entire experience. Backpackers prefer hostels. Families with children prefer hotels or resorts. Couples look for romantic inns. Camping is for adventurers. Staying with friends requires tact. Resources such as Booking, Airbnb and CouchSurfing offer varied options. On Adventist missionary trips, retreats and camporees are welcoming options. Weighing costs and benefits beforehand ensures a suitable experience.

  3. What documents are needed for the following types of trips?
    • Inter-city travel
    • Inter-state travel
    • International travel (to countries that do and do not belong to the same economic bloc)
    • Explain the purpose of each document. In which cases is parental authorization required?

    Answer: 1) Inter-municipal travel (within the same state): just an official photo ID, such as the RG (identity card) or the driver's license. For children and teenagers, the birth certificate or an RG with a recent photo is also recommended. 2) Interstate travel (between Brazilian states): likewise the RG or another official photo document (driver's license, passport). There is no internal border control in Brazil, so official identification is sufficient; for minors, it is worth bringing the birth certificate/RG and, when applicable, the travel authorization. 3) International travel: for countries of the same economic bloc (Mercosur and associates, such as Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay, Chile, etc.), a valid RG in good condition is already accepted as a travel document. For countries outside the bloc, a valid passport is required, and, depending on the destination, also a visa (when required by the country) and the international vaccination certificate (for example, yellow fever). 4) Purpose of each document and parental authorization: the RG/driver's license proves the traveler's identity; the passport is the internationally recognized official document that identifies the citizen abroad; the visa is the permission granted by the destination country for entry; the vaccination certificate proves protection against diseases required for entry into certain countries. Regarding parental authorization (ECA and CNJ Resolution No. 295/2019): for minors under 16, an authorization with a signature notarized at a registry office is required when they travel alone, with third parties or with only one of the parents; on domestic travel unaccompanied, judicial or guardians' authorization is also required. On international travel, a minor who is not with both parents needs authorization from the absent parent(s) with a notarized signature. — Documents protect the minor and guarantee their identification. A valid RG with a recent photo is essential on domestic trips. For international travel, a passport is valid for 5 years (10 for adults). Visas vary by country (the USA, Canada require them). The yellow fever vaccine is required in tropical destinations. The authorization for minors prevents trafficking and international kidnapping. Without the correct documents, boarding is denied by the company or immigration.

  4. Complete one of the following:
    • Watch a daily travel program, or a report or promotional video, that shows travel landscapes and the geography of a single location.
    • Research, through atlases, books, or the internet, a city or region you would like to visit. Find out the following:

    Answer: Investigate: 1) Geographic location on a map; 2) Population and demographics; 3) Language spoken; 4) Currency and exchange rate; 5) Climate by season; 6) Main tourist attractions; 7) Local culture, religion and customs; 8) Typical cuisine; 9) Safety and areas to avoid; 10) Required documents and visa. — Research in advance saves time and avoids problems. Knowing the geography helps with getting around. The language guides basic communication preparation. The climate determines clothing. Culture affects etiquette (in Muslim countries, dress modestly). Atlases and books offer a consolidated view; the internet gives currency. Comparing sources avoids outdated information. For Pathfinders, Adventist missionary trips require this comprehensive preparation before the club's departure.

  5. What is necessary to travel abroad? Discuss in a group how a tourist should behave when in another country.

    Answer: Necessary: a valid passport (minimum 6 months), a visa if required by the destination, vaccination certificates, travel insurance, international money or an international card, lodging reservations, parental authorization for minors. Behavior: respect local laws and customs, dress according to the culture, learn greetings in the language, avoid offensive gestures and symbols, always keep documents safe, avoid dangerous areas and represent Brazil well. — Traveling abroad requires documentary and cultural preparation. Each country has its own laws (in some, alcohol is forbidden, in others common gestures are an offense). Brazilians are informal ambassadors of the country; polite behavior builds a good image. As Christians, Pathfinders should be an example of courtesy, honesty and respect. Not getting involved in drugs, smuggling or illegal trade avoids serious legal problems at the destination visited.

  6. Create a simple travel plan for a seven-day family vacation, or for two trips of 4 days each. As part of your planning, include the following places to visit:
    • Details about a historic site
    • Details about two natural parks
    • Details about a recreation area
    • Note: The first and last day must be travel days.

    Answer: Day 1: travel to the destination. Day 2: visit to a historic place (e.g., Ouro Preto/MG, a museum, a baroque church, colonial mansions). Day 3: natural park 1 (e.g., Iguaçu, Chapada Diamantina, trails, fauna). Day 4: recreational area (e.g., water park, spa resort, family activities). Day 5: natural park 2 (waterfalls, bird watching, picnic). — Detailed planning avoids surprises. Brazil offers diverse destinations: historic (Olinda, Tiradentes, Salvador), natural (Lençóis Maranhenses, Caparaó, Bonito), recreational (Beto Carrero, Hot Park). The plan should balance intense activities and rest. Consider the ages of the participants (children, elderly) when planning. Book lodging and activities in advance. Bringing first aid, maps and copies of documents is recommended.

  7. List some different ways people traveled in biblical times.

    Answer: Walking on foot (the most common in ancient Israel); riding donkeys (transport for families and light loads); horses (military and nobility use); camels (long-distance desert caravans, merchants); carts and carriages pulled by oxen or horses (heavy loads and nobility). — The means varied by region, social class and purpose. Jesus traveled on foot in almost all of his ministry. Peter and Paul used boats and Roman roads. The Wise Men used camels coming from the East. Commercial caravans crossed the Middle East. The Roman roads (Via Appia, Via Maris, the King's Highway) were paved and safe. The journeys were long and dangerous, requiring provisions and weapons for defense.

  8. Calculate approximately how long it took to travel between Jerusalem and Damascus.

    Answer: The distance between Jerusalem and Damascus is approximately 220 km in a straight line; by the ancient routes (such as the Via Maris or the King's Highway) it was around 250 to 300 km. The approximate travel times were: on foot, with stops (an average of 25 to 30 km per day), 7 to 10 days; on horseback or camels, 5 to 7 days; and commercial caravans, slower because of the loads and stops at inns (khans), took 8 to 12 days. It was on this road that Saul was traveling when he had his encounter with Jesus (Acts 9). — This route became famous because of Saul's journey (Acts 9), who was converted into Paul. The roads crossed mountainous and desert regions. Caravans stopped at oases to supply water. The summer heat and the winter cold influenced the pace. The Romans paved sections, making travel easier. Cities such as Beth Shean and Caesarea Philippi were strategic stops. A normal trip was a serious undertaking with risks.

  9. Sketch a map of a journey mentioned in the Bible:
    • Display the names of the characters and the correct route, including the significant stops made.
    • Display different types of lines (markings) for each different means of transportation used.
    • Display a legend to identify the markings and types of transportation.
    • Note: You may have to find out some information that is not directly mentioned in the scriptures.

    Answer: Choose a journey (e.g., the Exodus of Moses, the Missionary Journeys of Paul, the flight of the Holy Family to Egypt). Draw a map of the Middle East to scale. Mark the points of departure, stops and destination. Use lines of different colors for different means: a solid line for on foot, dashed for boat, dotted for cart/horse, etc. — Paul's 1st Missionary Journey (47-49 AD) left from Antioch → Seleucia → Cyprus → Perga → Antioch of Pisidia → Iconium → Lystra → Derbe and returned. He used a boat from the port of Seleucia to Cyprus, then traveled overland on foot. A visual map reinforces geographical understanding of the missions. Resources: a Bible Atlas, maps in Adventist commentaries, sites such as BibleHub. The outline can be by hand or digital, always with a clear legend.