Travelling and Photography

September 17, 2010

Is Your Child’s Camp Accredited by the American Camp Assocation?

Filed under: Camping — Tags: , , , , — arkan @ 4:26 pm

Approximately 10,000,000 (ten million) kids attend camp each summer. But but only a small percentage of them attend accredited camps. You wouldn’t send your child to attend an unaccredited school, so why send them to an non-accredited summer camp?

Summer camp accreditation is earned through the American Camp Assocation. By choosing an accredited camp, you can be assured the camp meets or exceeds up to 300 best-practice standards within the camp industry relative to child health and safety, food service, supervision, transportation, risk-management, facilities, staff training, program quality and more.

Does choosing a non-Accredited camp for your child mean the camp isn’t a “good” camp? Hardly. There are many wonderful summer camps that have not earned ACA accreditation.

But if you choose an accredited camp for your child, you’ll be in exclusive company. Only 25% of camps in the United States have earned ACA accreditation.

It’s important to note that accreditation is not the same as a license to operate, and accreditation does not guarantee safety. Each state and/or county may have its own licensing and regulations which all camps must comply with in order to operate. However, according to the American Camp Association, “accreditation is the best evidence for parents that a camp is committed to providing a safe and nurturing environment for their children.”

How do you know if the camp you’re considering for your kids has achieved ACA accreditation? Just ask the camp director. If they answer “yes,” you know you’re on the right track. If the camp is not accredited, then you should ask the camp director why not. And if you aren’t satisfied with the answer, perhaps it’s time to consider another camp.

By the way, asking the camp director whether his or her camp is accredited is not the only question you should ask. To ensure the most promising camp experience for your child, you should ask the director a series of questions and be satisfied with the answers. Here’s a link to the American Camp Association’s website to help you know which questions to ask: http://www.campparents.org/safetytips.php#questions

There are many wonderful summer camp opportunities available for your child. Whichever and whatever kind you choose, please make sure it’s accredited. It’s your best guarantee of a safe, fun summer!

Eric D. Naftulin is the owner/operator of Aloha Beach Camp, an ACA-accedited aquatic sports summer day camp for kids and teens ages 4 to 15 in Los Angeles, California. Try Aloha Beach Camp and learn to surf, boogie board, wakeboard, jet ski and more.

August 28, 2010

Essential Camping Supplies – List Of Important Items

Filed under: Camping — Tags: , , , , , — arkan @ 4:28 pm

Camping supplies are things that should never be forgotten when going on a camping trip or adventure. If going on a camping trip making a list of the things to bring is the first thing to do before anything else. Having a checklist is a good way not to forget about anything when going on a camping trip to avoid hassles. The camping checklist can come in handy when packing for the perfect camping holiday. It can make your life easier and can lessen the prone of forgetting something important and essential. This camping supplies list can now be the point of reference when deciding to go on a trip again. It can come in handy. After every trip, you can either add or delete some of the things that might be needed or not needed.

If you have a long list, remember that camping supplies can be classified depending on the use of the item. You can also divide it in a way that is easier for you. It can also help you organize your things when you are packing for the trip. One way of classifying your things is based on the purpose of the item. Example group together camping gears like tent and sleeping bags. Another thing are clothes like hiking boots, thermal jackets and more. Camping supplies include first aid kit, cooking supplies and equipment.

For camping supplies it is important to consider the type of camping activity you will join liking hunting, fishing or indoor. Different camping adventures calls for different camping supplies like a fishing camping supplies is different from hiking camping supplies. An example of a scenario is cooking fish in the grill that you brought for the camp. This will not be useful if you want the fish to be cooked on fire. Fishing camping supply may need knives and other things.

For safety a first aid kit should not be forgotten. It can come handy and essential because sometimes accidents can happen without warning. It is considered a very important camping supply. Before heading towards the outdoors look into the first aid kit and make sure that has the proper materials and enough stocked. Some of the things that should be inside the kit are gauze, antiseptic, scissors, wipes, hydrogen peroxide, knife, medicines, small knife, saline solutions among others.

Aside form first aid kits another camping needs that is essential are the cooking supplies. It includes a portable stoves, burner, pots and others. An aluminum foil is one of the alternative when you are traveling light. Remember a simple meal can take you a long way on your trip. Camping supplies are really factor in any camping trip.

Abhishek is an avid Camping enthusiast and he has got some great Camping Secrets up his sleeves! Download his FREE 84 Pages Ebook, “How To Have An Unforgettable Camping Vacation!” from his website http://www.Camping-Guru.com/768/index.htm . Only limited Free Copies available.

August 8, 2010

Researching the Right Camp for Your Child

Filed under: Camping — Tags: , , , — arkan @ 4:28 pm

With over 11,000 camps in the United States, it is important to come up with a list of questions to guide you. By doing so, you can narrow the possibilities to a manageable few.

What do I want in a camp?

Single sex or co-ed?

Religious or non-denominational?

Sports-oriented, nature-oriented or a mixture of both?

In driving distance or am I willing to fly?

Do I want lakes or mountains (or will just a river do)?

How many weeks?

Is the camp competitive or nurturing?

Activities required or free choice?

To do this research, it is helpful to:

Talk to other children and parents.

Watch DVDs & talk to your children.

Search the Internet.

Attend a camp fair. The Annual Jewish Camps Fair will be held on Sunday, December 14th, from 10 am – 2 pm, at Solomon Schechter Day School. The broader St. Louis Summer Opportunities Fair will be at Whitfield School on Saturday, January 31st, from 10 am – 3 pm. At both, there will be overnight camps, day camps and teen travel opportunities.

Talk to camp directors.

Talk to a Camp Advisor.

Making Camp Visits (Summer 2009)

Based upon your research, try to narrow your camp options and choose a few programs to go and visit. All camps gladly receive guests, if you schedule an appointment. If you are considering camps in Missouri, you can plan a day or overnight trip to an area and then stop in to see the camp. If you are looking at camps in the Upper Midwest, you could plan a family vacation near to the camps you wish to visit. Most camps are located in beautiful areas near state parks or resort areas, so these visits can be fun for the whole family. You could even plan your family’s vacation at a camp and take advantage of a family weekend. These visits can help your child acclimate to the environment of the camp and make the decision to leave home a lot less scary. And, your first-hand observations of the facilities, the activities or the dining hall routine can help you know if this would be the right place for your child!

Early Bird Discounts (Fall 2009)

Once you have determined which camp suits your child, you can take advantage of early bird discounts. These discounts usually hold the cost of camp down to the previous year’s tuition or take a few hundred dollars off the price of residential camping. And, when your neighbors are stressing out about what their child will be doing in the coming summer, you will be sitting pretty with your child already enrolled!

Summer 2010 – The Best Summer of Your Child’s Life

Since there are programs to fit the needs of any child, I encourage you to explore the range of options available to you. The camp experience is an opportunity that cannot be replicated elsewhere. Happy camping!

Do the Research (January – May 2009)

Jenny Wolkowitz is the Midwest consultant for www.tipsontripsandcamps.com. She is a married mother of 3 children. In her earlier years, she was a day camper, an overnight camper, a counselor, a teen tour participant and a teen tour leader. She studied abroad in college and has traveled extensively throughout the world.

July 19, 2010

Why are Fitness Boot Camps Getting So Popular?

Filed under: Camping — Tags: , , , , — arkan @ 4:28 pm

It’s extremely difficult for anyone to maintain a fitness program and get results without the help of an expert. Add in a fitness trainer, and you’re guaranteed results, but personal training sessions don’t run cheap. Where can you get a great workout, have the expertise and accountability of a trainer, the camaraderie of a group of people, and not spend a fortune? The answer: Fitness Boot Camps.

Thanks to the growing popularity of fitness boot camps, trainees are able to get a great workout with minimal time and money invested. A fitness boot camp is a type of group training hosted by gyms, personal trainers, and former military personnel. Boot camps usually feature a combination of cardio, body weight, and weight training exercises that seek to help boot camp participants drop fat, lose weight, and increase endurance.

Beyond the physical benefits of attending fitness boot camps, there are several aspects of each boot camp that can further help you achieve your fitness goals. Here are a few of the reasons why attending a fitness boot camp may be right for you:

Boot Camps: Motivation through Teamwork
The camaraderie of having other soldiers sweating and working right next to you will push you to new levels. The group aspect of fitness boot camps will provide you with the support and motivation you need, making each session more enjoyable. For the first time ever, you might even look forward to working out!

Boot Camps: Personal Training Results, Not Price
Hiring a good trainer can be expensive, but finding a good trainer who also does fitness boot camps can help you get similar results at a fraction of the price. With a fitness boot camp you get the expert advice and guidance without the high costs. You have a trained professional watching you to make sure you are doing each exercise correctly and giving you workouts you probably wouldn’t do on your own.

Boot Camps: Customized Service
Similar to personal training, many fitness boot camps will provide you with body analysis and performance testing. This vital information will allow you to track your progress and gauge your improvement. This information will help you stay motivated through times when you may not see physical changes in your body. Fitness boot camps instructors will also use this information to customize the exercise and intensity of each exercise you do during each boot camp session.

Boot Camps: Get Outside
Boot camps are also great because you’re not confined to machines in gyms in or in your home. Fitness boot camps take your workout outdoors with minimal equipment, or even none at all, and you are still guaranteed an intense, fat-burning workout. You can find fitness boot camps happening in parks, on the beach, in parking lots, or a variety of other outdoor locations.

Boot Camps: Learn Something New
If you’re new to fitness and working out, boot camps offer a great environment for learning new exercises, workout routines, and other important information that can help you achieve your fitness goals. Even if you only commit to a boot camp for a few weeks, you’ll still get some good facts about fitness.

So if you’re tired of boring workouts by yourself or not getting the results you want from your regular fitness program, find a fitness boot camp in your area and try it out. In no time, you’ll be in fantastic shape with the endurance and conditioning to match.

Marcus is certified RKC and has created a variety of innovative workout programs involving unconventional training methods, including kettlebell training. MBody Strength hosts a kettlebell fitness boot camp in Anaheim, California. Find Fitness Boot Camp information and low-priced kettlebells at MBodyStrength.com.

June 29, 2010

St. Paul Summer Camps: Your Guide to Choosing Summer Camps Usa

Filed under: Camping — Tags: , , , , — arkan @ 4:26 pm

Summer camps bring fine opportunities for teens, kids and even for girls to not only have fun, but to broaden their minds to learning new things. Some of the best examples are St. Paul Summer Camps.

As most camps do a nice job, you should become conscious that no single camp is a perfect fit for every kid. So, be very practical regarding choosing a camp from the cluster of summer camps for children such as sport camps, computer camps, dance camps and more.

Attending a summer camp is often becomes the first experience for children where they spend an extended period of time being away from home. Many summer camps employ high school or college kids as trainers or guides to make the children feel more comfortable.

Most summer camps provide such a setting for children that they learn enduring values such as integrity and teamwork, character and leadership. Activities just like sports, leadership training outdoor adventures, and carefully selected field trips will be there.

While making inquiries about summer camps, be sure to look at the available options for example computer camps, theater camps, sports camps, dance camps and many more. The camps that center around on the arts are very popular. You should also take the computer camps into consideration as they also offer a good deal.

If you choose St. Paul Summer Camps, there are devoted counselors and brilliant role models available for your kids to see and interact with. Moreover, there are experienced camp organizers in charge of the event. The children who come to attend a camp are secure.

Ronald writes about education and summer camps USA. For his free guidelines and tips for camp options like St. Paul Summer Camps, visit InternalDrive.com

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