Questions to Ask Before Summer Camp Learn More Before Going to Camp

Here are some things to consider when visiting a camp, watching a video or flipping through the brochure. Please note many of these areas may affect your child’s stay at summer camp. Be sure to ask the Summer Camp Director if you can not find information that you feel is a top priority for your child.

Facilities Be careful to look at the condition of the facilities. Do the buildings well maintained,? Or do they show signs of needed maintenance. Rustic buildings are perfectly ok, make sure that they are not being neglected. Specific things you’ll want to look for and ask about include:

Bunks: * Are they in cabins, tents, or dorms? * How many sleep in each cabin? * Are the beds individual cots or bunk beds? * How are beds chosen? What if they don’t want a top bunk? * Where are belongings stored? * IIs there enough storage space? Does it look like the camp Has overbooked the camp crowded extra campers in? * Are the bunks clean? Does the camp do cabin inspection? * Where do the counselors sleep? How many counselors sleep in each bunk?

Bathrooms: * Where are the toilets? Does each bunk have it’s own toilets or is there a common bathhouse? * If there is a common bathhouse, do children have to walk alone at night? Is the path lighted? * Are there showers in each bunk? * Do campers have to walk in their bathrobes/pajamas to the showers? * If the camp is coed, how separate are the shower facilities? * Who cleans the facilities, and how often?

Waterfront or Swimming Pool: * Can the pool accommodate all swimmers? * Are the waterfront areas for swimming, boating, water skiing and diving separate and clearly marked? * What kind of waterfront toys are provided? * What is the supervision and ratio of lifeguards to swimmers? * Are life jackets always worn whebn boating? * Are swimming tested on skills? * How do the camp keep track ofr swimmers? Buddy board?

The Grounds: * Are playing fields freshly reseeded and mowed? * Are the trails clearly marked? * Is the equipment in good condition?

Dinning Hall:This is one of the most important areas in camp. Your child will spend 2-3 hours a day in the Dinning Hall. So make sure the Camp Directors understand this and work to make it a clean, exciting and nutritious experience Their are an increasing amount of dietary option and allergy that camps are dealing with. If you have special dietary needs don’t be forget to make sure they can accommodate you Kids Summer Camp * Is there enough space for the whole camp to be served in one seating? * Do cabins eat together? After all, this is your child’s best friends. * Are meals buffet style or are campers served? If they are served, who serves the food? * What if the camper doesn’t like the main selection? Are there alternatives? Is there a salad bar? * Are snacks served? Is there a canteen/camp store? * What is a typical menu for breakfast, lunch, and dinner? * Who is the kitchen director and what are his or her credentials? * What are the safety and cleanliness standards? Is the kitchen inspected by local authorities?

Remember this article has to do with the comforts of camp and not with safety at camp. The American Camp Association has a certification program that looks at over 300 different aspects of camp. It is always best to select a camp that has been ACA Accredited.

You can learn more about selecting a wonderful Summer Camp by visiting SummerCampAdvice.com

Swift Camp a non-competitive, traditional Overnight Summer Camp for Boys and Girls Ages 6-15. We promote Nature & Science along with traditional camp activities. Swift specializes in programs for the first time camper as well as a Teen Adventure Camp.

5 Great Things you can do in the Mountains

Are you heading to the mountains and asking yourself what you could get into? There are plenty of great adventures in the mountains and depending on exactly how much time you might have depends on exactly how ambitious you can be.

1. Fishing – Should you be in the mountains, fishing in a chilly mountain stream for trout is a must. Fly fishing has been a popular fishing approach since people begun fishing with hooks. Fishing for trout seems be getting hot by May and continue throughout the summer. Salmon fishing is good between September and December in most areas. Be sure to study up on the area you are going and find out what is biting when you are going to be there. There are also some big bass in mountain lakes as well as crappie and other species.

2.Hiking – Finding a good hiking trail is simple in most parks and can result in finding spiritual places. Hiking is enjoyable to do with friends but not advised to do on your own. Always be well prepared before for the trail and consume plenty of water before you leave as well as bring plenty with you! Be also certain to bring enough food for a few good meals, not to mention bringing a good sharp knife, a lighter or matches, backpack, flashlight, map of trail, compass, light raincoat or plastic bags. If it rains you can use either one to keep your gear dry. You never know when bad weather can strike or you make a wrong turn. I always carry my cell phone with me also just in case!

3. Boating and Kayaking – Floating down the creek in a Canoe or Kayak is a great way spend early summer. Some people fish, some people take pictures and others just enjoy the views from another perspective. Remember to always wear a life jacket and never underestimate the power of water. One minute the river can be calm and slow and the next you can be white water rapids. The best way to learn about the river is to go on guided floats. Many parks and lakes have boat rentals at affordable rates!

4. Hunting – Depending on what time of the year you vacation determines what you can hunt. You can find hunting clubs or guides for day hunts or for full retreats! Many areas have prime deer hunting, Turkey, elk, moose, quail, chukar, duck and many others. Also many ranches and guides offer hunting and vacation packages. Enjoy fine dining and fine hospitality on a vacation hunt! Have the hospitality of a bed and breakfast with the adventure of a wild game hunt.

5.Snow Skiing – High Mountain areas host ski lodges and resorts that wait for winter guest to hit the slopes every year. Some resorts have advanced snowmaking systems that allow more snow and in some cases extends the season.

Be sure and share your experience, so don’t forget your camera! Just remember don’t become too comfortable around wild animals, many are territorial and don’t take kind to anyone invading their space.

Find a great Vacation Rental or a secluded Mountain Bed & Breakfast today!

Beautiful Landscape And Nature Of Ireland

Nature, being the most beautiful and self-sacrificing gift that we enjoy in our life, has found a way of showing communicative signs of their feelings and love for us. Every minute she speaks of her love and about ways to receive the best from her, but people forget to listen to her. Whatever may be the size of the living beings, she shares her care every minute of our lives for us.

But what do we give her in return? We enjoy her gifts as immensely as we need and then gift her back with pain and destruction. How cruel the minds of people are? However, in the midst of a muddy lake, we will find a lily. Likewise the people of Ireland have learned to respect her and claim their gifts from her in most respectable manner. They understand the harm that they have done to her these past two centuries and taken decisive methods of improving her beauty in Ireland.

Ireland primary natural resources would be natural gas, peat, dolomite, petroleum, copper, barium, lead, limestone, silver, gypsum in abundant quantities and lower concentrations of zinc. Many industries have been able to earn good reputations in the categories of fishing, foresting, livestock, all forms of agriculture and fisheries. All these industries are able to thrive well with fine results in Ireland due to the abundance of life giving organic compounds in their soil and water bodies.

The island seems to be quite unique in its formations and history reveals the fact that it had been separated from the mainland long before the separation of other islands. This has helped them preserved their resources in a more effective way than the others, all these years. The regenerative power of Ireland in its natural resources is very high and it is a boon for them. Snakes are not found in Ireland due to the earlier separation of their lands than the others.

Many laws like the wildlife preservation of 1976, the Wildlife Act of 1976 (Protection of Wild Animals) Regulations and the Wildlife Act of 1976 (Acquisition of Land) Regulations have made it possible for the Irish to help themselves in preserving their wildlife. The Irish government has made several steps in making special breeding grounds and refuges for animals. They have even prevented game hunting, in view of saving their precious natural livestock of Ireland. Regulations like the Forestry Act of 1988, Sea Pollution Act of 1991, Fishery (Amendment) Act of 2002 and the Protection of the Environment Act of 2003 have been formulated as and when required to protect the forest and the water resources of Ireland.

By strengthening the rules and policies here in Ireland, people have been able to maintain a balance between the correct balance of nature and our lives. Though Ireland has resources like diamonds, platinum and Industrial minerals in abundance, they have made policies which prevent over-mining of any mineral, thereby preventing depletion of resources and wastage of precious raw materials from mother nature. Thereby, following these instances, we find out that Irish people are able to do all these reforms because they respect nature and want her to be strong. They are truly to be commended for their actions towards nature.

If you interested in Ireland and Irish news and events – please find out more about New events in Ireland and recent Irish cultural events and news in our blog posts.

Blue Mountain Chalets: A Whole New World Of Family Fun.

A holiday in the Blue Mountain area near Ontario in Canada will open up a whole new world of family fun. It doesn’t matter which time of the year you go, there will always be lots to do and to see. For the family man Blue Mountain chalets offer the best alternative by far.

For a family or 4 or more, chalet accommodation makes perfect sense cost wise if compared to a stay in a hotel. Should you stay in a hotel, you will have to rent at least two rooms, which will sharply increase the cost of your holiday. To pay for two rooms in a hotel for a week or more will make a serious dent in the family budget and simply mean that there is a lot less money available to do all the things that you planned to do.

Something else to remember is that if you stay in a hotel there will be no facilities to prepare meals for the family. You will therefore have to eat all meals either in one of the hotel’s restaurants or somewhere in town. This fact alone will sharply increase the total cost of your holiday and once again mean that there is less money to spend on other things.

Another aspect of a chalet holiday is simply the increased space it provides to every member of the family. The majority of chalets are quite roomy. There will in all likelihood be a lounge area where the family can watch television, play games or just relax. Most chalets also have a large kitchen counter with bar stools where all of you can gather to have your meals or just sit and chat.

Temperatures in the Blue Mountain area can plummet during winter. For this reason many chalets in the area have fireplaces around which all family members can get really comfortable on a long winter evening. There is simply no way that an electric heater in a hotel room can ever be compared to the ambiance provided by a crackling log fire. These cozy evenings will become some of your fondest family members in future years.

Chalets often even have such facilities as a pool table to keep everyone busy during a long, cold evening when it’s pouring outside. A few of the upmarket ones even come with a private swimming pool and a hot tub. If there isn’t a private pool, you will most likely have access to a communal swimming pool, which is excellent for hot summer’s days.

Staying in a chalet of course does not mean that you will be cut off from life in the surrounding area. You can still go out when you feel like it and dine at one of the many restaurants in the Blue Mountain area. There are such a variety of eating places that you will find it hard to make a choice. From lively pizza places to cozy little places ideal for a candle lit dinner for mom and dad.

In so many respects a holiday in one of the Blue Mountain chalets is the perfect family vacation. There’s so much to do and to see in the surrounding area that family members will never get bored. There is entertainment for people of all ages and every family member will go back home regenerated and ready for what life has to offer.

Planning to ski or snowboard but don’t have a place to stay? Save money by staying in Blue Mountain chalets instead of hotels. Enjoy the comfort of a home while being close to the mountain in these Blue Mountain accommodations. With breathtaking views and in an area with many unique experiences, you’re bound to enjoy yourself.

Fiery Arenal Volcano Of Costa Rica

All our luggage and camera gear is packed in the van by 8 a.m. and we are on our way to our first destination, soon to become a real life adventure. We are on a photography tour so everyone is talking cameras and pictures. This is the first day, we are getting to know one another, and the level of excitement in the van is high looking forward to the tour.

Arenal, an active Costa Rica volcano, is our destination but first there are a couple of photography stops along the way. We go first to the little Tico community of Sarchi where brightly colored, decorated oxen carts are made in an old water powered factory. The second stop is nearby Zarcero, which has, as its focal point, an old wooden church and a double row of lovely topiaries leading up to it. Many memory cards are filled just photographing these two places with the magnificent colours and patterns of Sarchi and the incredible shapes of the topiaries in Zarcero.

Luis, our driver, is very familiar with the many potholes that make Costa Rica famous, so he cautiously makes his way along the road while most everyone else, on 2 or 4 wheels, pass us by. The number of wannabe Formula One drivers in Costa Rica is staggering. There is even a bus driver who has been known to have passengers find religion and speak directly to God on his overland route.

After our planned stops and lunch in La Fortuna we are now just a few miles from our lodge at Arenal. As we leave the main highway we find ourselves on a road that is one continuous pothole. It is January and the rainy season has just ended so most roads are in poor condition but what is unique about this road is that it was constructed from crushed lava rock.

Rounding a curve we see a clearing beside a tropical river and there is the perfect cone shape of Arenal Volcano! Those who have never seen a volcano are stunned at the sight.

The top of the cone is shrouded with little fluffy white clouds against a blue sky. It is picture perfect and we quickly stop and everyone piles out of the van attaching cameras to tripods, some of us wading into the river to capture an image from a different perspective and others shooting from the riverbanks.

Who is to say how dangerous being this close to an active volcano can be? Fortunately, Arenal is very predictable and today is closely monitored so there is a very low risk of a serious, catastrophic, unexpected eruption. Only 1 km away from the base of the volcano and 2 km to the top of the cone is the lodge where we stay and without a doubt any activity attracts the attention of everyone.

Getting settled in while we are unpacking mighty Arenal speaks! It roars as smoke and gas billow hundreds of feet into the sky and we hear the rocks tumbling down the slopes. The Mantled Howler monkeys are extremely vocal following the eruption, however, we do not know if this is in protest of the roar or if they are just responding to its call.

While enjoying our meal in the lodge dining room mighty Arenal speaks again! Although there are many photo opportunities in Costa Rica, who would have imagined that while eating dinner we would be gazing up at a volcano erupting in front of our eyes? And this on our very first day of the tour!

The next two nights are without much sleep since we find comfortable chairs in the common area of the lodge just outside our rooms and we mount our cameras on tripods attaching cable releases. Since I had already been to Arenal many times I had chosen to use an 80-200mm lens set at 80mm and an aperture of f8, the camera shutter set at “B” for time exposure.

I think a time exposure of more than 20 minutes will produce an ugly yellow blob of light since there is a lot of activity of small flare-ups at the cone. Lava is flowing down the opposite side, so I allow no more than 20 minutes to pass before I closing the shutter and starting another exposure. The use of a cable release makes these exposures very easy and while we were there Arenal puts on quite a pyrotechnical show.

Arenal is the first adventure in Costa Rica for my photo group. With another eight days of photography everybody is looking forward to the next destination that is going to be just as exciting.

Photographing the Ocean

I’m Arthur. Here I am living the dream. I’m an underwater photographer. I’ve been visiting some of the Cayes off of Belize, the reefs off of Honduras, and visiting Dive schools all over Central and South America and selling my photography work to tourists. There is nothing else I could realistically imagine myself enjoying as much as this.

Right now I find myself in a very posh beach resort hotel on the Papagayo Peninsula. The same feeling that I felt last month when I walked into the Ritz-Carlton in South Beach, Miami, is the feeling I felt today when I drove up to Sol Papagayo Resort Hotel. This place is absolutely impeccable. Just the flower arrangements alone were enough to make me stop and stare.

My deluxe pad is spacious and incredibly comfy. A slight breeze is coming in off the sea, beckoning me to delve into its’ depths. Today would be the perfect day for it, but, alas, I have other big plans. The staff at reception helped me find a tour through the rain forest canopy, ziplining in a local reserve. This will be a first, and I am excited to experience the immense biodiversity that such an ecosystem boasts.

I will do some water activities on this trip… I was told at reception that there are tons of activities to choose from. I have always wanted to go windsurfing and this weather seems perfect for it. There is a constant, soft breeze.

Kayaking is also an option. I can take along my gear. There are a few estuaries along the coast that just might need exploring. There are photos to be taken in the AM hours when the egrets and other aquatic birds are up and about. They say it’s best to flow in when the tide is rising and time it to flow out when the tide goes out.

I am just now recuperating from a day of travel. I can think of no better place for recuperation than here, in this beloved, tropical refuge on the coastal pacific. I will dine at the restaurant shortly and maybe kick back with a drink by the pool.

I want to acknowledge the great work the staff here are doing at Sol Papagayo . I feel very safe and well cared for here. I also want to thank to visionaries behind all this. If it weren’t for them I wouldn’t be able to be so relaxed on this trip. I highly recommend this hotel to anyone visiting Costa Rica.

Our Family Trip

We’re here on a 2 week vacation with our kids. Although we’ve only been here a day it seems like it’s been a week. We left Los Angeles and arrived Alejuela, and there jumped on a island hopper to the nicoya peninsula. From there some friends who have a house here picked us up. We went to their house and grounded out, had some drinks and bathed in their pool.

The kids just loved bouncing around in the pool all night. Phil and I got wasted with our friends… cocktails on the deck. We slept soundly. This morning we went horseback riding along the beach. When it became to unbearably hot we went back to the house. In the afternoon we rented a car and drove up the coast, and ended up checking into a swank beach resort hotel.

The hotel staff here is catering to our every need. They are extremely warm and informative. We just checked in for a night, but we will probably just play it by ear. I’m okay with just taking it easy for a few days, but we’ll see what Phil says. Our room here is great. We toured the gardens and took in night air while the kids played in the pool.

The kids have taken their showers, and are now dozing off . Phil is watching a game on the big screen. I think I have it all planned out, thanks to the guys at reception. In the morning I’ll see what the kids have to say.

In the morning I’d like to go horseback riding. One option is to ride along the beach at sunrise. Sounds dreamy, no? Another is to ride into the reserve, into both primary and secondary growth forest. We all want to see wild, tropical animals.. parrots, sloths, pumas, anteaters and, of course, monkeys. But I would also just like to spend some quality time with the kids, before they get too old to enjoy spending time with us.

In the afternoon I figure we can all hang out at the pool, that is, in the event we decide on staying another night at this posth resort. In the early evening we can go boating while we watch the sunset. A place near here charters trips cheaply. It’s so tropical here. A jungle. The dense jungle comes right up to the shore. Howler monkeys can be heard from miles away. On occasion, a flock of small green parrots soar about … squalking up a storm and then fading into the distance.

Someone at reception told me about a night hike that is available for the guests at the hotel. I’m curious to see whats lurking out there at this hour. Nocturnal tarantulas? Armadillos? Bats? I hope there’s no mosquitos, because if there is I won’t last a minute. I’ll high tail it back here to this posh resort, take a bubble bath, and sit out on the deck sipping tea in my bathrobe waiting for the kids to get back.