Tag: Camps View All Tags

On Our Next Summer Camp ...

March 26, 2008 at 9:20 AM | 1 Comment

We thought our summer camp days were long passed, but a recent list publicized by Reuters of the top ten camps for adults has got us thinking twice. The list includes a few camps we're personally not so interested in--poker camp in Vegas, or crossword puzzle creation camp on an Eastern Caribbean cruise--but there are also a few we're really hoping our parents will spring for.

Winemaking camp in the Napa Valley, for example, sounds like a nice way to spend a few days, especially if we get to sample plenty of what the camp leaders have already prepared. In Venice, there are gondolier training camps, vet safari camps in Africa where you can follow a micro-chipping, ear-notching vet on his travels and elephant care camps in Northern Thailand.

The list is full of programs offered by hotels or tour operators that perhaps aren't strictly vacation camps at all, but we do like the idea. We're going to put the gondolier camp on our birthday wish list. Are you listening, Mom?

Related Stories:
· Top 10 Quirky Vacation Camps for Adults [Reuters]
· Hilton Venice Offers Gondolier Training Classes [HotelChatter]

[Photo: Ayres no graces]

United Hopes to Lap the Competition

August 15, 2006 at 9:10 AM | 0 Comments



What does NASCAR have to do with air travel? More than you think. In an article today about NASCAR pit crews--and how much more intense and serious an endeavor they have become as the big bucks flow in that direction--the New York Times mentions that there is such a thing as NASCAR pit crew fantasy camp. While that's not our ideal vacation, we could understand how such a thing would hold an appeal for certain insane people.

United Airlines, however, sees the camps as a training opportunity, and sends their ground crews to the camp to improve the speed with which they turnaround the aircraft when it arrives at the gate.

Among its corporate clients is United Airlines, which sends members of its ground crews from around the country to the school here. As they become pit crews, they learn about efficiency and teamwork.

A United spokeswoman, Megan McCarthy, said the company was working to reduce the turnaround time for jets at the gate and was reaping the benefits of the program with 32 flights added at its Denver hub because of time saved on the ground.
Good job, United. Who cares about maintenance or safety when you can change a tire in less than ten seconds?

Related Stories:
·   On Pit Row [NYT]

The Y Chromosone Vacation

July 1, 2005 at 10:30 AM | 0 Comments

Tired of hearing about all the things women get to do just because they're girls?...martinis & manicures, weekend spa getaways...

The testosterone laden vacation has now become completely pc again. This week's NY Post covers a few-namely Aspen Man Camp where you can be damn sure there is a lumberjack breakfast, the Civil War Adventure Camp in Richmond, VA where you can re-enact all your childhood battle sagas or the Sea & Tee Men's Package at Nantucket's White Elephant that includes four days of sportfishing or golfing.

Schweet. Round up the dudes for a weekend sausage fest you won't soon forget.

Related Stories:
·   Guy Stuff [NY Post]

Driving Miss Leia

May 21, 2005 at 9:25 PM | 0 Comments

With the swirl of media excitement surrounding the release of Revenge of The Sith (and well deserved this time around, as the movies is actually really good), we thought we should let you in the upcoming Disney World/MGM Star Wars weekends, where, if the pictures are to be believed, Lando Calrissian has been reduced to driving around the chosen two: Leia and Luke. Such a shame, Lando was far and away the coolest guy in the galaxy.

In any event the Star Wars weekends take place at MGM Studios each an every weekend between now and mid June.

If you fulfill your destiny and attend one of these Star Wars weekends you will be treated to a light speed trip to Endor on one of the parks rides "thrill" rides, face to face meetings with a bevy Star Wars character actors, a "Who Wants To Be A Jedi" trivia game, and some sort of "Jedi Training Academy."

Before all you forty year old Star Wars get too excited, we are fairly certain these weekends are geared towards kids--you old Jedi's have your own creepy conventions to attend--don't spoil it for the kids.

Related Stories:
·   Star Wars Weekend [Disney MGM Studios]