Helpful Information About Overnight Summer Camps

Some camps have a targeted focus like religious study, academics, and competitive sports. Camps often focus on specialties that include: adventure, art, computer, dance, music, religion, horse riding, sports, theatre, and many others. There are overnight summer camps with a focus on self-improvement, weight loss and grief counseling.

Basically, if you can think of any subject of interest, there's probably a camp that specializes in it. The camp you choose for your child will provide a lifetime of good memories and will be truly rewarding. There are overnight summer camps that are co-ed camps, boy's camps, girl's camps or brother-sister camps where boys and girls may have separate venues and activities.

Overnight summer camp is also known as a sleepaway camp when campers spend their nights at the camp; some camps do allow both daytime and overnight campers. There are popular overnight summer camps in every state in the U.S. and every province in Canada; there are camps in the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand and just about every country in the world. Selecting the right camp that fits into your child or teen's interests, special interests, needs, special needs and abilities will be one of the first steps

Although camp counselor jobs don't usually pay very well, usually minimum wage or less, counselors receive free room and board; many take the job primarily for the camping experience. Camps should have at least a 40% to 60% return staff ratio, which shows that the camp is seen as a good place to spend a summer. There are many types of overnight summer camps with a focus on education that cater to students with differing ages and academic interests.

Children or teens could typically explore subjects new to them like marine science, photography, creative writing, community service, drama, magic, scuba diving, video production, comic book design, crime scene forensics, cooking, yoga, rappelling, etc. Non-profit camps often range from $1200 to $3000 for four weeks and $2500 to $5000 for eight weeks. Do you think, if you have more than one child, they would they benefit from attending the same summer camp together?

The best overnight summer sports camps do much more than just improve a camper's soccer, tennis, lacrosse, or wrestling skills - they help each child become a more skillful athlete, a more gracious competitor, a more committed team player, and a more confident person. The reputation of an overnight summer camp can also be determined by asking what percentage of counselors returned from the previous year. Get to know the camp director from an in-person visit to your home if possible, phone conversations, email or other correspondence.

Four weeks at a good private overnight summer camp or sleepaway camp will cost anywhere from $3500 to $6500, and eight weeks will range from $4000 to $7000. Some camps are often called adventure camps - having a very specific theme or interest; many of these programs emphasize skill development and personal growth through the adventures the offer. Consider these industry-recommended guidelines - for smaller children ages 7 and 8, there should be one counselor for every six campers; by age 15, there should be one counselor for every 10 campers.

If you spend the time needed to research your options and include your child in all the decisions, he or she will most likely have a memorable experience that provides opportunities to grow while having a lot of fun and making new friends. Typically an overnight summer camp experience will leave a lot of wonderful memories for the child or teen camper. Homesickness is a frequent problem, but with a caring camp counselor most campers adjust easily. Choosing a camp close to home will save a lot of money on airfare and possible hotel or motel overnight stays for a parent, or other transportation costs; this is especially true if your child might get a case of homesickness and want to come home early from the overnight summer camp.

You Don't Have To Spend A Fortune To Go To Disney

Going to Disney World is the dream of millions of people. I remember the first time that I went to Disney, I wasn't little. I was actually seventeen years old and it was a dream come true. At the time I was living in New York and my family was not very familiar with Florida. Going to Disney was pretty much out of the picture for us. We didn't have the income to spend a fortune at Disney, we thought. One of my close friends decided to move to Florida and began to work in Disney. As an employee he received a certain amount of tickets that he was able to give away and he gave it to my family. That was the first time that I went to Disney.

A year later my family and I moved to Florida. I have been living in Florida for the last six years and one thing that I have learned is that you don't have to spend so much money to go to Disney. I have family that come to Florida every year and they stay at a timeshare resort near Disney every year. Maintenance fees alone for the resorts range from $200 and up. Many others spend over $200 per day to stay on Disney resorts. Disney has deluxe resorts going for $2,700 for six days and 7 nights. That is $215 per day. That's not counting the plane tickets, food, gifts, and Disney tickets for the whole family.

No wonder I thought it was impossible to go to Disney. There are millions of people that think that you have to spend this kind of money to stay at resorts near Disney. If you have income to spare, it's okay, but for those who don't have so much income spending this kind of money will have them waiting ten more years to go on another vacation. I am currently focusing on helping people stay near Disney resorts that go for as low $37 per day. These are not Disney resorts but they are just as near to Disney as their own resorts and many of them are 5 star resorts.

Purchasing a timeshare, staying at Disney resorts, staying at a motel, and staying at a hotel is not the most economic way to stay near Disney. Timeshares have yearly fees, maintenance fees, and exchange fees that you have to pay every year. Disney resort prices are out of control. The most economic way to stay at resorts near Disney is by joining a private travel membership that has resorts priced at wholesale prices. This particular membership requires customers to pay a one time fee of $2,995 that is good for the rest of their life. Members never have to pay maintenance fees, yearly fees, or exchange fees.

This membership not only has resorts near Disney, they have resorts worldwide. Unlike a timeshare you can travel the whole world and never pay more than $100 a day to stay at 4 & 5 star resorts. There is a special section in the membership that has all resorts priced at 37 dollars a day. The last time that I logged into the membership there were about 5 of these resorts within a few miles near Disney. These packages are for 8 days and 7 nights. That is $298 for the whole week. That's a pretty good way to save a couple thousand dollars on your Disney vacations. Members receive three guest passes per year that they can give to friends and family and even get deals for cruises starting at $190.

If you want to go to Disney every year or take a vacation to different locations world wide every year, this is a great option. Sure, you would have to pay a one time fee of $2,995 but the membership is good for the rest of your life. Some Disney resorts will charge you over $2,000 for a few days in their resorts every year. Another thing to keep in mind is that Florida is famous for being a tourist state. You can buy Disney gifts every where. It doesn't have to be in Disney. This alone can save you a couple of hundred dollars. If you have never gone to Disney and you think that you have to spend a fortune, cheer up, it's not that bad if you do your research and use some of the options that I mentioned.

Camping Safety Is Your Prime Consideration

Being away from home on a camping trip means you're making do without a lot of things, such as electricity and sometimes comfort. One thing you should never be without is the awareness that accidents do happen and the first aid skills to know how to deal with injuries. What's more, campers should always go out of their way to reduce every possible threat that could spell disaster and be conscious of potential hazards within their very campsite.

A simple camping safety practice is to walk around the area to look for any broken glass, protruding sticks and slippery spots. Accidents such as being stabbed by a branch during a fall can be prevented by a little forward planning. During your stay, always try to keep safety in the forefront by making sure you're handling your equipment carefully and clearly marking ropes that can be a trip hazard with coloured fly tape. An excellent way to ensure safety at your campsite is squaring things away once you have finished using them. A cluttered camping area is a potential hazardous space for accidents.

If you're planning on building campfires for warmth, enjoyment or cooking, be smart, wary and safe. Find out if there are any restrictions for the time of year or dryness in the region - many areas don't permit fires when there has been a recent dry spell and the spread of fires is a concern. Avoid building fires on a windy day, as the breeze can transport smouldering ashes and start them burning elsewhere. If you know it's safe to build a fire and it's not a windy day, do make sure you have a proper fire pit dug out and ringed with stones. Containing and controlling your flame is extremely important. A bucket of water is very handy to extinguish fires can easily get out of control very quickly - and make sure to put out your fire properly before going to bed. Letting a fire die down unsupervised is asking for trouble.

Knowledge of first aid and how to cope with sprained ankles, gashes and head trauma is a must for a camping trip, especially if you're roughing it in the wild with no help nearby. There are plenty of organizations that offer first aid instruction and in most cases, learning the basics doesn't take more than a weekend. Quick action and calm know-how can mean the difference between an accident that takes a turn for the worse and one that saves someone's life. Not only will your new skills come in handy should someone get hurt during your vacation, but being able to deal with injuries is something that will remain with you forever.

Your camping trip should be one that's full of good times and smiles, not one that turns into a fiasco because you weren't being careful or qualified to handle the situation. Getting the skills you need and applying preventative measures to reduce hazards and risks is the best thing you can do to make sure your camping trip is safe and one that is completely enjoyable.

Ten Necessities On A 'Sunny Holiday'

If you have packed your suitcases and are ready to take off for your summer vacation, consider vacationing on a sunny beach. Although it is a great idea, many are absolutely clueless about how to plan for all the necessities that are to be carried along to enjoy a beach holiday. Given below are a few tips that will make the job easier.

Summer is the all-time favorite tourist season and hence, you should make sure that you have made hotel reservations in advance. In fact some of the destinations are so popular for summer holidays that they are overbooked months before summer arrives. Also, advance reservations will get you better rates.

The second and one of the most important points to keep in mind is, always make it a point to set a budget. It is always better to carry traveler's checks rather than cash, as they can be replaced. Or, if you are not used to handling and traveling with traveler's checks, you could consider using credit cards. Most reputed resorts accept cards and you will also have the records of every transaction.

You should also make sure that the kids are being properly taken care of. People who have kids often spend the most part of their vacation time chasing their kids around. Therefore, make sure that if the children are traveling with you, the resort has adequate play area and a day care center. Many resorts also have separate activities planned for kids.

You should check out the nightlife possible too, if you are an extrovert. Some of the best nightclubs are in Key West (favorite of Ernest Hemingway), Miami (home of Gloria Estefan), Honolulu and San Diego.

You could consider vacation destinations with comedy clubs close at hand. There is nothing better than winding up a leisure day with a hearty laugh, if you enjoy slap-stick comedy and magic shows.

You should also consider destinations where you could pursue water sports in summer. You could go snorkeling, scuba diving or just plain swimming if you love the water. You could indulge in hand gliding or parasailing if you are adventurous. Many locations also offer deep-sea fishing. In Florida you can attempt fishing in inland lakes for the Trophy Bass.

Another important point to consider is to attempt learning the local language of the place you intend to visit or, visit a place where English is widely spoken. Jamaica, Puerto Rico, US Virgin Islands, Bermuda, Tahiti and the Dominican Republic are just some of the attractive vacation options.

You should make sure that the transportation facilities in and out of the chosen holiday destination are efficient and flexible.

Shopping is one activity without which, no vacation can be complete. Hence, you should make sure that the vacation spot has adequate shopping facilities.

And finally, indulge in a holiday to a destination of your dreams. Trying out new locations and venturing further, adds to the thrill and adventure that can make the holiday a truly memorable one. You should not forget to carry your camera to capture all the sweet memories of the vacation.

Inflatable Kayaks

Imagine going on a camping tip and being able to take your kayak with you in a backpack or the trunk of your car. Not strapping said boat to the top of your vehicle or towing it behind, but conveniently storing your kayak in a bag small enough to fit in a backpack. This is the kind of flexibility an inflatable kayak can offer. And, by the way, inflatable kayaks have come a long way from what you may be thinking.

Just because they are "inflatable" doesn't mean that they have to be something that you might play with in the pool. Technology has enabled manufacturers to produce quality boats that just happen to be inflatable. In fact, some inflatable kayaks are strong enough to withstand a dog sitting and walking inside of them! If you know how sharp a dogs nails can be, you realize how impressive this is.

You probably also think that there's no way an inflatable kayak can be taken into rapids. Wrong again. Is an inflatable kayak going to be used in the upcoming Olympics? Of course not, but some inflatable kayaks are strong enough for you to traverse class IV rapids. Not bad for a kayak that can easily be taken anywhere. An inflatable kayak can also be a wonderful way to explore your favorite trout fishing river. Zipping downstream to new fishing area will be no problem with the help of an inflatable kayak.

If you're into outdoor activities such as: fishing, camping, RVing, or just vacationing on a lake, an inflatable kayak can be a wonderful way to enjoy and traverse the water, and at a fraction of the cost of a "traditional" boat of any kind. Inflatable kayaks are a wonderful way to enjoy your favorite water.

Reducing Jet Lag By Breaking Up Your Journey

In its simplest form jet lag occurs when you are traveling and the time recorded by your body's internal clock is out of balance with local time at your destination. For example, if you leave London at 9 pm and fly to Bangkok you will arrive approximately 13 hours later at 10 am London time the following morning. However, because you have flown across several time zones, local time at Bangkok airport is now 4 pm that same afternoon.

Having traveled to your hotel, checked in and taken a shower your body will now tell you that it is time to eat. Now, your body clock thinks that it is time for lunch and, although everybody else will be eating dinner, your internal clock doesn't mind what you call the meal, it only cares that you eat. So far so good, however, a couple of hours later when everyone else starts going to bed your problems will begin as your body clock still thinks it is only late afternoon.

A time difference of 6 hours, such as that shown here, is significant and even the best of us will be feeling the effects of jet lag. Indeed, while an hour or two will hardly be noticeable, anything over about 4 hours will produce the symptoms of jet lag in most of us.

There are of course various things that you can do before your journey, during your flight and at your destination to help to reduce jet lag but one problem which researchers have noted recently is that when your internal body clock experiences a large shift in time it often overcompensates when adjusting and thus leaves you suffering a double dose of jet lag before it eventually settles down. So, how do you compensate for this?

Well, it is possible to take this into account to a certain extent and reduce the effect by starting to adjust your internal clock in advance of travel, but circumstances may make this difficult. One alternative therefore is to simply break your journey whenever you are traveling across more than four or five time zones.

In the case of our journey to Bangkok this might mean breaking your journey half way and relaxing for a day before continuing on. Today's air travel may have made the world smaller but it is going to take the human body a little longer to catch up with technology.

How to Protect Your Health on a Cruise Ship Vacation

It seems that whenever there are health problems on a cruise, it is treated as big news in the media. Yes, the facts are true. There was one instance when 400 people got sick on a cruise. When someone gets sick and it is suspected to be contagious such as the Norovirus, he/she can be quarantined from the rest of the guests. The last thing you want is spending an entire cruise vacation quarantined or trying to recover from an illness.

A ship is a floating city. There are a lot of people on-board in close quarters. All it takes is someone who has a contagious disease to cause an outbreak. If you look at the source you will immediately understand how illness can spread quickly.

But you don't need the negative publicity affect your enjoyment of a cruise vacation. In fact, there are some simple steps you can take to help prevent getting sick while on your cruise vacation.

Before embarking on your cruise vacation, you will want to schedule a visit with your family doctor. Explain to the physician your itinerary including all the ports of call. Because some countries are known for certain diseases, your doctor may recommend any number of immunizations. This will ensure extra protection against contracting some sort of illness.

If you are taking prescription medications, you should obtain refills. These refills will be readily available if you lose your primary supply while on vacation. This is especially important if the medication is needed for major life support.

When planning for your cruise vacation, pack some disinfectants, hand sanitizers, and soap. Medicine for stomach ailments wouldn't hurt.

In the first moments while on board the cruise ship, find out if there is an on-board doctor and how to contact him/her in case of illness. Also, familiarize yourself with the layout of the ship. It is important that you know where the emergency facilities are located.

During the cruise, wash your hands with hot water and soap. You will want to wash your hands after using the restroom, after smoking, before and after eating. Avoid touching your face. Avoid person to person contact. This last tip is obviously flexible. The captain may want to shake your hand. Just use your best judgment.

While dining, consider avoiding all uncooked foods. Don't share drinking glasses. Don't share utensils. Always drink bottled water.

Keep your shoes on at all time. Although it may be tempting to lounge or stroll barefoot, keeping your feet covered will help you from contracting any diseases.

The risk of getting sick is not just centered on the ship. Ports can offer additional risks on your cruise vacation. While on land, always opt for bottled water or drinks. Ice cubes also present illness risks. Skip the ice if you don't know where the ice originated or how it was handled.

Most importantly, do not be overly concerned and paranoid about getting sick. The purpose of your cruise vacation is to have fun. You are creating memories that will last a lifetime. However, just be aware of your actions. All it take a little effort on your part to help prevent getting sick on a cruise vacation.

Airsoft Safety

First, I would like to say that the amount of bad things that arise from airsoft guns are incredibly low (less than 1%), proportionally to the entertainment derived from the use of the product. I am a firm believer in not ruining something for good people just because of malicious activity from the bad.

Now, I'll come right out and say it; if you are not careful with an airsoft gun, somebody could get hurt. We've all heard of kids getting shot by cops because they were not careful enough. Some people use airsoft guns to rob stores and threaten people. You might be wondering why an airsoft vendor would point out the negative aspects of the product.

The amount of injuries that come from airsoft is much lower than it was twenty years ago. In fact, the injury rate is less than that of golf! Still, people still get hurt. Most injuries are face related, and that is why it is important to always wear a face mask when playing airsoft. A cup wouldn't hurt either; it's not necessary, but it would spare you a lot of pain.

Another thing people sometimes forget is that airsoft guns are not toys. You need to treat an airsoft gun as a real gun, except when playing airsoft, of course. Never shoot somebody if you are not playing airsoft. Some people think it's okay because it only stings for a second, but not only can being careless lead to a serious injury, but it is just plain mean to shoot someone if they are not ready.

True story: The first time I took my friend paintballing (surprisingly, I play paintball more than airsoft), he acted like an idiot. We were walking to the field, and he shot me in the foot. It didn't hurt, so I wasn't mad, but then he really angered me. He shot me in the back, and I started to yell at him, and he shot me again! I started to run, and he kept shooting, and I kept getting hit. In that second, I had an incredible hate toward him, incredible. My friend thought of the paintball gun as a toy. After the incident, well, let's just say he'll never shoot me unexpectedly again. However, one time during a battle, he did shoot himself in the hand accidentally, which halted the game for about ten minutes. What's the point of this? Accidents can happen.

As long as you are careful, accidents won't happen. With all I have described, you'd expect airsoft to be a dangerous thing, but it isn't. Hardly anybody uses airsoft guns maliciously, 99% of people play safely with airsoft guns (and those who don't do not usually get hurt, although they deserve to), and with the recent advancements in airsoft technology, the sport is becoming increasingly popular and exciting. I wrote this article because I want people to have fun and be safe with my products. Do not be discouraged by this article, in fact, be encouraged. As I said, the rate of injury is INCREDIBLY low with airsoft, and the chances of anything going wrong are improbable. But if you become too comfortable, something could go wrong, and that's something you don't want to deal with.

I hope I didn't scare you off from buying a gun! I can sum this article up in two words: Be careful. You already knew that anyway, right? I just wanted to elaborate, extensively, on that little phrase for your reading pleasure.

Islands of Lamu Kenya - Best Holiday Islands of Kenya-Manda Island

Manda Island of Lamu Kenya

This is the easiest island to get to, since it's just across the channel from Lamu. Almost every one takes a half-day trip to the Takwa ruins at the head of Manda creek. A dhow trip to Manda island cost an average of around kshs1500, shared by however many people you can gather.

Sometimes (but not always) this includes a barbecued lunch, so settle this issue before you leave. You can also get there by motor launch, which isn't as romantic but will give you a little more time at the site before the tide gets too low for boats to negotiate then the creek.

Sights and activities in Manda of Lamu Kenya

The extensive Takwa ruins (adult/child Kshs 200,100)

Are the remains of an old Swahili city that flourished between 15th and 17th centuries At this peak , there were at least 2500 people there but the town was inexplicably abandoned 17th century and the people moved to Shela. The sight is maintained by the national museums of Kenya and the ruins include the remains of about 100 limestone and coral houses, all aligned towards Mecca.

The largest structure is the Jamaa Mosque (Jamaa means Friday) which is well preserved and includes a pillar tomb unusually situated atop the mihrab. Also there is a tomb dating back to 1683(1094 by the Islamic calendar).the settlement is surrounded by the remains of a wall and huge baobab trees dot the site.

Just off the north east cost of Manda is Manda Toto Island, which offers some of the best snorkeling possibilities in the archipelago. The only way to get there is by dhow, and you need a full day to get there and back from Lamu, boat owners typically charge around Kshs 700 per person if there is a group of four or more, masks and snorkels are provided.

Across the channel from Shela is Manda Beach, which has fine sand and is home to Manda Beach Club, where you can get a chilly Tusker or something fancy with a little umbrella in it. Shuttle buses leave from new Lamu Palace Hotel at 10 am (Kshs 600 one way), returning at 6.00 Pm. You can also hire a boat from Peponi hotel.

Sleeping in Manda Island of Kenya

The only standard place to stay is the campsite adjacent to Takwa, but few people stay here because the facilities are minimal. Contact the Lamu bookings, information and transport.

Blue Safari Club

(Per person US$300-400) on the northern end of the island is this intimidating exclusively resort, only accessible by boat.
Rates include activities and transfers and you can also arrange a luxury sailing cruises from US$325 per person.

Air tickets & Flights to Lamu Kenya's Manda Island

The trip to Manda from Lamu takes about 1 12 hours by boat and can only be done at high tide because the inlet is too shallow at low tide. You may well have to wade up the final stretch, sot wear shorts. Since you have to catch the outgoing tide. Your time at Takwa will probably not be more than an hour.

It's possible to walk to Takwa ruins form the airstrip, but its around 5km and the path isn't properly cleared. A boat transfer to t he airport costs Kshs 100. Peponi Hotel and Kijani House in Shela offer tours to Takwa for around Kshs1200 per person.

Scuba Dive Destination In South Africa - Protea Banks

Protea Banks is rated as one of the world's best shark diving spots, and lies about 8 kms offshore, its a deep dive suitable for experienced divers. One hours drive south of Umkomaas / Aliwal Shoal. The banks are full of caves, pinnacles, ridges and amphitheatres, densely populated with colourful soft corals, and reef fish. All dives are boat dives. Divers are taken to the reefs in semi rigid boats that are launched directly from the beach and through the surf.

The launches have been likened to white water rafting in wet suits. All dives are drift dives and are lead by local dive masters who know the reef intimately.

Visibility varies from 5 to 40 meters, and the water temperature in summer is 24+ ° C and in winter not colder than 19 ° C. The depths vary between 30 and 40 meters and one must be an experienced diver for these often 3 knot mid-water drift dives. This is adventure diving at it's best but for experienced divers only.

Species encountered on the reef include:

Bull (Zambezi), Tiger, Hammerhead, Thresher, Copper, Dusky, Ragged Tooth, Black Tip, and even the odd Mako shark. There is also a variety of reef fish, ribbon tail skates, moray eels, spotted eagle rays, manta rays and large schools of pelagic fish. Depending on the season one can also see dolphins and whales.

Ragged Tooth Sharks (grey nurse or sand tigers) come to Protea Banks in Kwazulu-Natal in spring (August/September) as part of their breeding ritual. Placid and slow moving, the "Raggies" accept the divers without fuss. November brings the game fish and they are followed by the Zambezi (bull) Sharks, classed as a dangerous species.

Hammerheads do not follow any seasonal pattern. They are shy and keep their distance. Tiger sharks are a often seen in summer but they tend to keep their distance. The sardine run in June/July brings the copper sharks. They scan the surface for the sardine shoals. Quick but shy, they are the smallest of the 7 species of shark commonly found in this area.

THE NORTHERN PINNACLES: Depth 28-38m


With its rare pink soft coral, this area hosts many reef fish, including potato bass and many pelagic fish like tuna and yellow tails. There are also two cave areas called "hole in the wall" and "hole in the floor" attracting Ragged Tooth sharks in large numbers during mating season in the winter. As spring goes into summer, large shoals of scalloped hammerheads and now and then a Great White is seen on inside ledge.

Best time: June to November

THE SOUTHERN PINNACLES: Depth 26-35m


This is definitely the place to go if you want to see Zambezi (Bull) sharks. One expect them from November, reaching its peak in March, and remaining in their numbers until May, while one should not forget that April and May are the best time to spot the tiger sharks. The scalloped hammerheads often occur like a "blanket" on top of the divers. Drop-offs close to sandy areas are often frequented by single and schools of hammerheads.

Summer is also the time for game fish when schools of Yellowtail, Kingfish, Pike and Tunny are often encountered. March and April are good months for manta rays - Huge ones too! Be prepared to visit the Kingfish Gully for a spectacular treat of a large kingfish concentration. The Sand Shark Gully is also the best "gathering" place for various species of sharks.

The Disney Cruise Vacation - The Inside Information On All The Fun

Whether you are a first-time cruiser or a seasoned cruise vacation veteran, the Disney cruise is one vacation experience like no other. The Disney cruise line provides an amazing time for kids, but the adults will have just as much fun. While the kids are off enjoying all the Disney cruise ship has to offer, adults can enjoy a nice range of on-board activities, amenities, and areas reserved exclusively for them. The ship is not just a kids romper room, a Disney Cruise is a good option that offers first-rate facilities and activities for every age group.

What about the cost of a Disney cruise?

The Disney cruise allows you to keep your wallet inside your trousers, most things included in its all inclusive Disney cruise package. Cruising can be an affordable travel alternative; a Disney cruise is a fun way for your and your family to either separate or congregate. A Disney cruise package can be far less then some cruises and they will go out of their way to take care of anyone's needs.

What kinds of activities are available on a Disney cruise vacation?

Suffice it to say, you're going to experience some incredible onboard activities. As you'd expect from Disney, families will find special facilities and activities with the Disney Cruise Line, all beautifully executed and played out in precision. One of the best highlights of any Disney Cruise is the exciting day spent on Disney's own private island paradise, Castaway Cay. Get out and stretch your legs and go for a swim on this beautiful mini island paradise. You can choose from a variety of activities for all ages at Castaway Cay to add to your Disney Cruise Line vacation fun.

What about all that cruise vacation food?

One thing that brings many folks to a cruise is the quality and quantity of the food. It's hard to keep your waistline after sampling all the cruise line has to offer from their kitchens. The food is plentiful and diverse and staff is friendly. With food and drinks abundant and overflowing, along with being available 24/7, you can have a glutenous experience.

The Disney cruise is an amazing cruise to experience, and even an amazing all around vacation. The cruise vacation is great for all members of your family and worth looking into. The Disney Cruise is, by far, a vacation experience for young and old to enjoy and have a boat load of fun.

The Joy Of Riding A Bike In Amsterdam

Amsterdam is famous for its bikes, as well as its museums and other entertainment such as the coffeeshops and the red light district.

Amsterdam welcomes several million visitors per year to its primary attractions. Located on the north-west tip of Central Europe, Amsterdam is known for its liberal atmosphere, top attractions and frenetic nightlife.

Amsterdam also has an extensive cycle network. Unlike many other cities, there is not simply a token sprinkling of the odd two foot wide bicycle path here and there -- in Amsterdam, bike paths can be found absolutely everywhere are at least four foot wide.

Furthermore, they are truly segregated from other traffic. Bike paths are denoted in a tan colour and are usually seperated from the roads by a concrete riser or some other divider.

In areas where there are no bikes, the bike still rules. Pedestrians beware and keep your eyes and ears open for bikes. They can (unofficially) flout the laws and go down the roads the wrong way and cut across several lanes -- whatever it takes to ensure that their riders can take the shortest possible route from A to B. Make no mistake, the bike is the fastest way around town.

Best of all, you don't need a fancy bike to make the most of bike riding in Amsterdam. Because Amsterdam is so flat, the typical Dutch bike may only have three gears, or even just one! It will be a typical curved handlebars style bike with a bell and requiring low maintenance. As a visitor, you can hire one for as little as ten Euros per day.

Alberta Guest Ranches Reveal the Secrets of Horse Whisperers

Robert Redford's 1998 movie The Horse Whisperer strengthened the belief of many that there is magic in some people's silent communication with a horse. But according to Margie Moore of the Lazy M Ranch near Innisfail, Alberta, there is no magic involved, just plain old good communication. And here's the good news - you can learn how to do it yourself.

Get the Whole Package

Set in the small North Raven River valley, about two hours northwest of the City of Calgary, Lazy M started as a working cattle ranch in 1980. Ten years later, and with no regrets, Lane and Margie Moore turned the property into a guest ranch. Lazy M now welcomes up to 20 guests (double occupancy) at one time, and the Moores also run about 50 horses on the lush, 600-acre property.

Lane and Margie already had the peace and serenity of the valley, fishing in the clear waters of the North Raven, plus bird watching opportunities in the aspen groves, but they wanted to provide even more. "We wanted something different, something new," Margie says - a desire that led to 'Traditions with a Twist' being offered to the general public.

Honing in on the drum, a universal instrument for ceremonies and communication, the Moores stepped outside the box by developing a dual experience day: drumming and horse communication. The drumming segment is a group icebreaker, very social, very fun. The work comes in the round penning session, where guests learn how to communicate without words.

Joining Up For Something New

In round penning, participants step into a corral with only Lane and an unbridled horse for company. Following Lane's guidance (he won't hold your hand, but he will hold your shoulders to point you in the right direction), guests learn the basic rules of "talking" to a horse.

Horses are herd animals - when they're in groups, there's a pecking order. Herds require a strong leader who will be alert for danger, know where to go to get away from danger and where to find food, water and salt.

"It's not a superior, 'I'm better than you are' attitude," says Margie, "but rather a need to know who is dominant."
In the round pen, people immediately learn that horses don't care if you are an executive or a teen-aged student; they take you exactly as you are and they are great teachers, with no phoniness whatsoever.

"Horses read people by where the core is," says Margie. "Guests learn to be centered, to concentrate and to clearly lead by explaining in simple, easy terms what it is they want the horse to do."

It sometimes surprises people to learn that horses don't want you to be submissive. On the other hand, if you walk into the pen with your shoulders back and chest out, horses don't like that, either. You need to find a balance.

"We call it the ABC's of communication," says Margie, "awareness, boundaries, and consistency."

It's all about reading the horse's signals, being aware of their body posture and stance, of setting rules that you expect to be followed (not unlike raising a child) and following through with consistent behaviour.

And what if you're afraid of horses? Margie laughs. "In one session, Lane was in the pen with a girl who was quite nervous. The horse snorted and the girl jumped right into Lane's arms." She persevered though and came away with a new level of awareness and understanding.

Even though each horse responds differently and each person communicates differently, the end result is the same. When you turn your back, and the horse follows you, it's a pinnacle moment of success. It's called "joining up."

Discover a Magical Experience

Teaming up with drummer Shannon Powell from Olds, 'Traditions With a Twist' uses the drumming segment to help break down barriers. You don't have to have any musical talent to enjoy the drum. It's a relaxing activity that provides a sense of community as the group follows Shannon's lead, drumming slow and soft, harder and louder.

Whether drawn in by the rhythm of the music or on a natural high after joining up, the communal, cowboy themed lunch is a joyous celebration.

While the techniques of "horse whispering" are not magic, the 'Traditions With a Twist' experience at Lazy M definitely is, allowing guests (aged 12 and up) to come away with an awareness and appreciation of their own communication and leadership skills - and having fun while doing it.

Women and Horses

This Spring, the well-known Homeplace Ranch near Priddis is offering a unique opportunity for women to connect with horses and enjoy horseback riding in a tranquil, idyllic setting in the foothills of the Canadian Rockies. 'Horses and You, a Retreat for Women with a Passion for the Equine' is a new program designed to help women learn to communicate with horses through energy, feelings and body language.

Homeplace Ranch owner Mac MaKenny says participants will come away with knowledge that they can apply in their family and work lives.

MaKenny notes that in communication in general, how a message is received relies 7% on what is said, 38% on how it is said, and 55% on the body language of the person relaying the message. The last two elements are the most critical with horses, too.

Running May 1, 2 and 3, Horses and You is being facilitated by Nancy Lowery, a recognized leader in instinctive leadership development.

Resources:

Lazy M Ranch

Homeplace Ranch

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Private Pilot License

How long does it take to get your pilot's license?

It is natural to be afraid of flying at heights of 10,000 feet above the ground. After
All, human beings are not born with wings naturally. Like any other form of
Transportation, flying has its own inherent risks. However, it is the safest form of
Travel, safer than driving. Apart from airplanes used in military combat and
Airliners, travel by all general aviation aircraft is ten times safer than automobile
Travel.

Flying a plane is not only exciting, but also a wonderful challenge. Traveling 400
Miles becomes a three to four hour trip by plane. Planning a weekend away to
The beach or to mountains or to any other location can become a reality when
You fly your own plane.

There are two major factors involved in determining how long it will take you to
Get your pilot's license.

They are (1) the kind of license you are getting

(2) Amount of flight time.

There are three kinds of licenses in general that most pilots receive:


(a) Private pilot license,


(b) Commercial license,


And (c) flight instructor license.

Apart from these main licenses, there are numerous other certificates
That a pilot can receive to further enhance their knowledge, experience, and skill
Level.

A private pilot's license allows a pilot to fly a single-engine airplane using visual
Flight rules (VFR) that require a visibility of at least three miles, even at night.
Private pilots can share operating expenses with passengers but cannot be paid
For flying them.

To be paid for transporting people across, a pilot has to get the
Commercial license.

A flight instructor license allows the pilot to teach others how
to fly and an airline transport certificate allows the pilot to fly an airliner.

The amount of flight time varies for each pilot license and certificate. Some
Require twenty hours, other requires forty hours, and yet others, require a
Minimum of two hundred and fifty hours. The average amount of time it takes a
Pilot to get their private pilot license is about six months, during which time they
Acquire all the knowledge and experience, take tests, and fly a lot with their
Instructor and alone. Of course, there may be variations to this depending on
You're own personal circumstances and the weather as well. Flying in the winter or in inclement weather, may take undue amount of time or may even be cancelled.

Taking classes in good weather and continuously will enable you to get your
Private license in a relatively short amount of time.

The aeroplane is the nearest thing to animate life that man has created. In the air a machine ceases indeed to be a mere piece of mechanism; it becomes animate and is capable not only of primary guidance and control, but actually of expressing a pilot's temperament.

— Sir Ross Smith, K.B.E., 'National Geographic Magazine,' March 1921.

Be careful and calm and thorough and you will walk out with a prized possession:
your own private pilot license!

Springtime is Here So Grab Your Picnic Basket And Boost Your Mood

With warm weather arriving quickly, it's time to break your winter cabin
fever and enjoy healthy eating outdoors. Nothing compares to enjoying good,
healthful food in your favorite spot or under your favorite tree. Food
always tastes better with a fresh breeze and fresh outdoor smells to heighten
the senses. As well, a good picnic will lift your spirits and helps create a
refreshed outlook for the coming season. So grab your favorite picnic basket,
pack it with the freshest food available, your favorite bottle of wine and dine
in the rejuvenating sunshine or the shade of a blossoming tree.

To create a great picnic, you will need not only the freshest foods, but
the proper basket allowing you ease in packing, unpacking and transporting.
Finding and getting to that perfect spot is not always accessible by car, so
some walking, or even hiking might be required. You certainly wouldn't
want the hassle of transporting what you need to keep you from enjoying
the day, so choose your picnic basket or picnic backpack well. There
are numerous options available depending on your desires and needs.

For those wanting picnic elegance, you may want a beautiful rattan &
bamboo basket with deluxe service for two or four. In which case, you might
want the table cloth rather than the picnic blanket. For those looking for
a more rugged or secluded location, you'll want the picnic backpack which is
easy to carry, compact and includes everything you need to make your meal
a memorable one. There are even special occasion baskets, like the wedding
heart basket, which is perfect for those celebrating the big day, an
anniversary or just each other.

Picnics are a fantastic way to make a celebration even more fun. And because they
entail getting outside for an extended period of time, they improve any day to
a special status. So grab your picnic basket and get outdoors. Let the freshness
of the season devour your senses!