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.