Globe Aware volunteers and all other travelers will no longer need to remove their shoes at airport security checkpoints. This confirmed change began July 8th, officially ending the long-standing TSA policy.

TSA ends shoe removal rule nationwide effective immediately

Zach Wichter
USA TODAY
July 14, 2025

Passengers are no longer required to remove their shoes at TSA checkpoints.

Kristi Noem, secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, which oversees the Transportation Security Administration, announced in a news conference July 8 that the long-standing policy requiring most passengers to remove their shoes at TSA checkpoints is no longer in effect.

Summer travel can present added challenges for parents of children with autism, from disrupted routines to sensory sensitivities and unfamiliar settings. Globe Aware volunteers and families can benefit from these tips to help make travel more enjoyable for everyone involved.

10 summer travel tips for families of autistic children

Journal Record
July 8, 2025

Summer has arrived, and families are taking to the roads and the air for vacations. Most parents know well the typical trials of family travel — children seem to become needier and more easily bored when they are removed from their natural habitats.

For many retirees, leaving the workforce can lead to unexpected questions about purpose and connection. Globe Aware volunteers discover how volunteering can bring fulfillment, community, and renewed meaning.

5 Compelling Reasons to Volunteer in Retirement for a Richer Life

By Beverly Bird
June 30, 2025
Investopedia

Vikki Velasquez is a researcher and writer who has managed, coordinated, and directed various community and nonprofit organizations. She has conducted in-depth research on social and economic issues and has also revised and edited educational materials for the Greater Richmond area.

The monsoon season is beautiful but can be unpredictable. Packing the right items can keep your Globe Aware volunteer vacation safe, dry, and stress-free.

Don’t forget these 10 things while packing for a monsoon vacation

The monsoon season is beautiful but can be unpredictable. Packing the right items can keep your trip safe, dry, and stress-free.

A monsoon trip is special: fresh green views, cool breezes, and light showers can make your holiday memorable. But rain also brings muddy roads, wet clothes, and sudden weather changes.

This Fourth of July is shaping up to be one of the busiest travel periods, with over 72 million Americans expected to hit the road or skies. Globe Aware volunteers, here’s how you can make the most of the long weekend when it comes to travel.

Flying or driving for July 4? Here’s the best time to leave and how much it’ll cost

Kathleen Wong
USA TODAY
June 23, 2025

A record 72.2 million Americans are expected to travel domestically for the Fourth of July holiday weekend.
Driving remains the most popular mode of transportation, but air travel is also expected to hit record numbers.
Travelers can find tips on the best and worst times to drive to avoid holiday traffic congestion.
Summer travelers, gear up. This Fourth of July is going to be a busy one.

With the 2025 hurricane season underway, experts warn it could bring some of the strongest storms yet, which could be a concern for Globe Aware volunteers planning to travel. Here’s what to know.

NOAA Warns of an ‘Above-normal Hurricane’ Season This Year With 19 Projected Storms—What Travelers Should Know

This season’s hurricanes could reach the “strongest” categories of storms.

By Michael Cappetta
June 9, 2025
Travel + Leisure

With the 2025 hurricane season officially kicking off, experts are sounding the alarm that this year could bring the “strongest” of potential storms.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) recently published its annual forecast for the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season, and the data shows a 60 percent chance of an above-normal season. As part of the forecast, the agency predicts as many as 19 named storms, including five major storms that are category three or higher, according to the report.

Numerous factors can disrupt your digestion while traveling. Globe Aware volunteers aren’t alone if their stomachs act up on the road; here’s what a recent survey reveals.

This Is How Long Travelers Hold Their Bowels and Bladder While Traveling, Survey Finds

A new survey reveals 51 percent of travelers experience “digestive changes” while traveling.

By Stacey Leasca
June 6, 2025
Travel + Leisure

There are a lot of things that can throw off your digestion while traveling. From the airplane ride itself to eating new foods in your destination that are far from your typical meals, it’s no surprise when our tummies get a little upset. The key thing to know here is that it’s nothing to be embarrassed about. In fact, a new QS Supplies survey shows that 51 percent of travelers experience “digestive changes” while traveling. But that’s not the wildest stat it found.

If you’ve ever wondered what it’s really like to volunteer with Globe Aware, don’t miss this special extended 3.5-hour podcast episode from one of our favorite returning volunteers, Drew Drew Lombardi. In this thoughtful, unscripted conversation, Drew offers a raw, insightful, and personal look at his time on our Philippines program—capturing the culture, the challenges, the connections, and the sheer joy of service.

Volunteering in the Orosi Valley

Here is a wonderful post of a recent trip to Costa Rica with Globe Aware by a young family of volunteer travellers!