Weather forecasters are predicting a hot summer ahead.

It’s a good time to get away to the lake or to go camping with family and friends on a union-label vacation.

One beautiful spot that you might want to visit or camp at is the Indiana Dunes State Park on Lake Michigan just north of Chesterton, Ind.

The sand dunes will astound you. There are over nine miles of trail to hike, and when you’re done, you can go swimming in Lake Michigan.

Behind the scenes at this and other state parks in Indiana are members of UAW Local 9212, the Unity Team.

"If it wasn’t for us, the park would fall apart," says Steve Brooks, a Local 9212 steward.

"People don’t realize how much wear and tear there is to the buildings," he says.

Among other jobs, UAW members at the Dunes State Park clear the trails, pick up trash, and keep the motor vehicles in running order.

Steve Brooks, UAW Local 9212, works at Indiana Dunes State Park.

The best way to get to the Indiana Dunes is to drive there in your car, truck or van assembled by UAW members (check an up-to-date list).

If you’re looking for a camping trailer, consider the Coleman trailer built by USWA Local 7494 members in Somerset, Pa.

Another place you might want to visit are the campgrounds at the UAW Family Education Center on Black Lake near Onaway, Mich.

Black Lake is not far from Mackinac Island. It is just a few hours away to the Sault Ste. Marie locks connecting Lakes Huron and Superior.

Active and retired UAW members and their families can stay at one of 51 campsites with full hookups for $18 per day from June 25 to September 10.

A surefire union tip: Kingsford Matchlight charcoal briquets are made by USWA Local 5917 members in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan.

The UAW is also renting out rooms in the Hilltop building at Black Lake so members can have easy access to the new golf course which opens this summer. (for more information see "New clubhouse nears completion" in this issue of Solidarity)

While you’re golfing, you’ll be in the union swing of things if you’re handling PowerBilt clubs made by UAW Local 251 members in Wallaceburg, Ontario.

If instead of camping or golfing, you’re looking to spend some time on the water, you should see the Riviera Cruiser pontoon boats built by UAW Local 1404 members in Columbia, City, Ind.

Kent life vests made by USWA Local 524L members in New London, Ohio, might come in handy. Or if you like underwater adventures, you might choose Luxfer scuba tanks made by USWA Local 6703 members in Riverside, Calif.

So why should union members patronize union products and services?

It’s simple math. Union workers enjoy vacations and other forms of paid leave worth an average of $1.66 an hour compared to $1.13 for nonunion workers.

When we patronize union services and products, we affirm that all workers should enjoy comparable benefits that we do.