Help In Picking The Right Camp

By Lonnie Lorenz

So you are thinking about a Minnesota Summer Camp for your child. GREAT!
Here are the top 10 questions to ask a summer camp director. This list was compiled by the American Camp Association.

1. What's the camp's philosophy?
Is it one you're comfortable with? Is it a good match for your child? Is competition or cooperation emphasized? If it's a camp run by a religious organization, what religious observances or practices are part of the program? If you're looking at a sports camp that touts an affiliation with a celebrity athlete, how much time--if any--will the sports star actually spend there?

2. What does camp do with staff?
First aid training? Drug Testing? Do counselors have criminal background checks? What's the training all about?

3. What about return rates?
How many counselors are returning this year? The ACA says at most camps, 50 percent of the staff returns. If the number you're given is lower, ask why. How many campers return? Fifty percent is good, and more is better. Still looking for that perfect camp Check out this Summer Camps Minnesota

4. What's the ratio of counselors to campers?
ACA guidelines for overnight camps call for a 1:6 ratio for ages 7 and 8, 1:8 for ages 9-14; and 1:10 for ages 15-18. Day camp guidelines call for 1:8 for children ages 6-8; 1:10 for children ages 9-14; and 1:12 for ages 15-18.

5. What's the age of Staff ?
Eighty percent of the staff be 18 or older and that all staffers be at least 16 and a minimum of two years older than the campers they supervise.

6. Is a Nurse at hand?
The ACA recommends that an sleepaway camps have a physician or nurse on the site daily. If your camper has medications, food allergies or a medical condition, be sure you ask all your questions and are comfortable.

7. How does the camp handle conflicts and Discipline?
Find out what the camp's rules are and what breaches would result in a camper being sent home. You should be comfortable that the camp's practices are in line with your parenting practices.

8. What does a typical daily schedule look like?
This will help you decide if your child will be happy with the level of physical activity or the amount of time devoted to arts and crafts. Ask how much freedom a child has to choose activities.

9. Does the camp have vans for transportation?
How often are camp vehicles inspected? Who will be driving them and what's the training.

10. References,References, References
Most important, get the names of parents with children the same age who have attended the camp. They will tell you what makes camp so special

Still looking for that perfect camp Check out this Overnight Summer Camps

About the Author:

Swift Nature Camp is aSummer Youth Camps for boys and girls ages 6-15. Our focus is to blend traditional summer camp activities with Science Summer Camp that increases a child's appreciation for nature, science and the environment.

Traveling From Port de La Savina

By Amistad Abaya

If you want to see some serious money floating in the water then Formentera's marina in the summer is the place to be. Alongside the standard ferries calling in at the port are some yachts that take your breath away. It is a far cry from the days when this natural harbor was used to export sabina pine.

Whether you are in Sant Antoni or Santa Eularia, you can get a ferry to La Savina. During the summer there are many ports that have boats departing for Formentera, including Palma, Barcelona, Altea, Alicante, and Denia. And there is also a boat between La Savina and Espalmador.

When you are in La Savina you will find that there is a decent collection of restaurants, cafes and tapas bars. With a nice modern marina to look out on it's worth chilling here for a bit. It is also a very practical village as you are able to hire and buy everything you might need for your stay on the island, from motorbikes to toilet paper. There is a tourist office on the dock, so just pop in and ask them for some help.

La Savina is next to Formentera's two salt water lakes: Estany Pudent and Estany des Peix. These sit just behind the port and are very easy to get to. You can cycle all around Estany Pudent and take in its rich wildlife which thrive in the wetlands that surround the lake. If lakes are not your thing then you can also head to the beaches of Es Trucadors.

Formentera's main resort of Es Pujols is where a through of people always head after arriving at La Savina. The warm, turquoise waters lap against white beaches and you can enjoy just about any water sport here, from diving to windsurfing. There is a local company Wet4Fun that rents equipment and gives lessons to beginners.

In the evenings Es Pujols turns into a lively network of market stalls along the promenade of Avenida Miramar and into the high street of Passeig des Plameres. The locals, some of whom are aging hippies, sell a lot of hand made goods.

About the Author:

When is comes to hotels formentera they can be hard to find. This site has some excellent details. See: http://www.squidoo.com/hotels-formentera

What Camping Equipment do you need?

By Suzanne Noctor

Are you looking for an outdoor activity that involves your whole family to help them get closer to each other? Then it is worth thinking about camping. However to ensure that the camping trips you go on as a family will be ones that all enjoy you must make sure you get the right kind of camping equipment. This is what will ensure that you are well protected when outdoors no matter what the weather is like and so ensuring that the first trip you take as a family will be a memorable one.

What particular items will need to be brought by you before you head off on a camping trip with your loved ones? In this article we take a look at three of the most important camping equipment items you will need.

1. Tent - Of all the items of equipment you will need when camping this is the most important of them all and you should be the first thing you buy. It is the place that not only will you sleep each night but also somewhere that you can go to should the weather turn bad. So make sure that the one you select is the type that will meet all your family's needs and offer enough space for everybody to sleep in it.

As there are so many different types of tents to choose from it can prove a challenge deciding which one is right for you. For those families that are going to be doing lots of walking the tent they select should be as light weight as possible and also doesn't take up too much space. The tents that you have to select from include the tunnel, dome, modified dome, teepee and freestanding kinds.

2. Sleeping Bag - This again is a very important piece of equipment for your camping trip and must be purchased before you go. There are certain things that you will need to take into consideration when making your purchases. The first of these being what material it has been made from. Although traditional style sleeping bags are made from wool and cotton they can prove to be bulky to carry so you are better off going for those using the latest high tech light weight materials instead. Just as with traditional sleeping bags these will provide a good level of insulation ensuring that your body's core temperature is maintained.

3. A Backpack/Rucksack - After you have chosen the tent and sleeping bag now you need to decide what of these you will be purchasing. When it comes to this particular item of camping equipment make sure that it is one that provides enough room for all those items you need to take with you on your trip but will be comfortable when being carried. Ideally look for those that come with shoulder straps that are well padded and wide so that they disperse the weight inside evenly preventing stress being placed on your body.

Also when buying this piece of camping equipment it is a good idea when in the store to try a number of different kinds out. Don't be afraid to ask the store to put in some items to give it some weight as this will help to determine if the straps sit well on your shoulders and so ensure that you don't feel uncomfortable when carrying it as you walk.

About the Author:

Craigdon Mountain Sports have outdoor sports shops based around Scotland as well as an online store where they sell all of their outdoor clothing, equipment and supplies. This includes their selection of walking shoes which come from a few good quality brands such as North Face and Berghaus.

Ireland Needs to Be On Your List Of Gay Destinations

By Howie Holben

Ireland has been good for gay vacations at least since the time of Oscar Wilde, although in those days it was not necessarily a friendly country for the LGBT community. Like Wilde, many people were jailed or sent away for hard labor for what was legally termed "indecency" and, until 1861, acts of sodomy were even punishable by death, but Ireland has come a long way since these dark days, decriminalizing same-sex sexual behavior in 1993 and legalizing civil unions in 2009.

While this does not mean that this largely Catholic country is ready to embrace same-sex relationships in every village - or even every city - Ireland is now far more welcoming and can safely be considered a great place for gay travel. Several larger cities, including Dublin, Galway, Cork and Waterford, have visible, active communities, community celebrations, numerous establishments catering or welcoming to the community and plenty of attractions to fill an entire vacation; however, whether travelers choose to participate in solo travel or gay tours, one should not miss the Irish countryside and quaint, traditional villages that dot the verdant landscape or sit atop breathtaking coastal cliffs during their vacation to Ireland as well.

While several larger cities now have annual community celebrations, pubs and clubs, community organizations and a visible LGBT scene, Dublin is unquestionably the center of LGBT life in Ireland and should be part of any gay travel plans to this country. Dublin nightlife offers both a casual pub scene and an upscale club scene complete with dress codes, which allows those on gay vacations to experience two very different aspects of local LGBT life. There are also a number of community festivals that take place throughout the year, including the Dublin International LGBTQ Pride Festival in June, the Dublin Lesbian and Gay Film Festival in July and the Dublin Gay Theatre Festival in May.

Regardless of which time of year you partake in gay travel to Ireland, there will be some sort of activities going on, which will be listed in GCN - Ireland's most-read community magazine - so, if you enjoy the scene, you will definitely want to pick up a copy when you get to town. Some of the attractions that you will not want to miss while in Dublin include the Book of Kells, the Guinness Storehouse, the Hugh Lane Gallery, the Old Jameson Distillery, the Oscar Wilde House Museum and The George, which is Dublin's quintessential community bar.

Those planning gay travel tours may want to consider participating in a group gay tour. This is a great way to make sure you are able to enjoy many of the most intriguing natural, cultural and historical attractions this romantic country has to offer.

About the Author:

Spread about Ireland composed by Howie Holben. Spirit Journeys produces gay getaways for gay travel groups and singles.

Patio Furniture Replacement Cushions | Creating A Brand New Patio Furniture Set Design And Style

By Andrea Newport

Patio furniture replacement cushions is one of the easiest ways to make a great fresh change in the overall look to your patio furniture. We all need a change every now and then. This is the easiest way every summer to make a switch from your old cushions and add a new courageous look and sense of style for this years patio decor.

You could make an exciting change by getting some new patio seat set cushions. There is a nearly limitless variety of different colors, sizes and styles of patio furniture replacement cushions to choose from.

While you might just want to give your patio furniture a facelift, there are other reasons which you may want to replace your patio furniture cushions. For instance, these cushions will eventually become soiled or damaged from exposure. However, if your cushions have just gotten dirty, then you can have your patio furniture cushions cleaned rather than getting an all new set of cushions.

However, there are reasons other than visual appeal to change the cushions on your patio furniture. Exposure to the elements wears cushions down and you will likely find yourself in search of patio furniture replacement cushions eventually. If your cushions have simply become soiled, then you may be able to just have your cushions cleaned instead of replacing them.

You may be one of those people that love to decorate depending on the type of season or with each new holiday that arrives. Patio furniture replacement cushions are a great way that will allow you to show your holiday cheer with the changing of seasons.

With new changing experiences the different seasons offer an exhilarating sense of things to come. When it comes to decorating for the holidays, you will discover that there are prints that are full of style and design that are available for your outdoor seat cushions.

No matter what holiday you're interested in decorating your home for, there are patio cushions which are ideally suited for the purpose.

Patio furniture replacement cushions can fit into anybody's budget because they are affordable and very easy to find. If you're in the market to find and purchase these types of patio set seat cushions that are designed for the more fashion or even the different seasons and holidays, then your best choice is doing more research on informational sites on the Internet.

The internet is an especially convenient way to shop for patio furniture cushions, since there are many different places to purchase these cushions from and the lower overhead of e-commerce sites often allows them to offer lower prices.

Changing the patio cushions you have now is just one way that you will be able to create a new look and feel for your patio area, along without compromising on the comfort and style.

About the Author:

creativeoutdoorfurniture.com is your first place to look for information and resources for Patio Furniture Replacement Cushions, Patio furniture accessories, Patio Furniture Sets and everything you are looking for to create a great outdoor experience for all your friends and family to enjoy.

Aluminum Patio Furniture | Style, Design In A Durable Patio Furniture Set

By Andrea Newport

Consider aluminum patio furniture if you want deck furniture that has a lot of great advantages. If you are shopping for new patio furniture, you will not just be buying ordinary deck furniture when you buy aluminum patio furniture. Instead, you will be buying outdoor decor that offers outstanding quality and features. Almost everyone looking for high quality patio furniture wants a set that will give them the most features for the price.

What type of features depends on the manufacturer, these features come in a variety of different choices for each and every person. Let us start with their ability, light weight and style. You will be pleased to know that it is very easy to discover these three special features with a aluminum patio furniture set.

Aluminum patio furniture is created so that they will be able to withstand the weather elements of being outside, which in turns you'll find that this style of outdoor patio furniture is very durable. They have the ability to withstand the rain, cold and heat. You will find that overall this durability will be very important on your decision on what specific type of material that you want your patio furniture to be.

Weather creates a harsh environment for patio furniture and adds to the wear and tear it endures. Because of its ability to withstand the weather, you will find that most people prefer aluminum furniture when they are selecting outdoor furniture. It has the durability to last a lifetime.

In most cases there is only one real thing that you will find that will need to be protected on an ongoing basis is the patio cushions that you have. Cushions and covers can be very delicate and will not be as durable as the actual furniture that you have chosen.

Cast aluminum patio furniture is extremely lightweight and this is a great bonus that you get with this type of outdoor furniture. The ability to easily move your patio furniture around your deck is very important because from time to time you might decide to change its look and position.

There are a few reasons that might cause you to want to do this. You might want to add some additional furniture, or you might want to change your patio's appearance. No matter why you want to move it, however, you'll be able to do it quite easily whenever you choose.

Style and design are two more advantages of aluminum patio furniture sets. This type of deck furniture is very easy to find and is available in a number of different designs. At least one of those designs will surely suit your particular taste.

The large number of styles will let you match your cast aluminum patio furniture with the surroundings of your deck area. You will also be able to choose the perfect set of cushions, which is a nice additional bonus.

Deciding to buy aluminum patio furniture has a variety of advantages that you can benefit from. The furniture will bring beauty and style to the overall decor of your deck area. Your patio is one of your primary places for entertaining. You will be able to invite your friends over for a great barbecue and get together with you and your family members. Your patio should be a comfortable, relaxing place that everyone enjoys.

About the Author:

Everyone here at creativeoutdoorfurniture.com would like to assist you with Resources and information for Aluminum Patio Furniture, patio furniture umbrellas, Patio Furniture Sets which will allow you to make a great decision on your Patio furniture decor this season.