Main Attractions of New York City

For many people, New York is like the most important or fun place to be. Because of its metropolitan nature, New York is where most suburban dwellers want to go visiting. Besides this, it is also a hub of business activities as you have the famed Wall Street located there, and the twin towers. Recent estimates have shown that New York generates more than some third world countries budget per year. It also has the highest number of skyscrapers concentrated in one territory.

Often dubbed an ‘urban jungle’, it is home to more than 20 million people and amazingly, the metropolitan state seems to have more room for visitors, business executives, vacationers and tourists. New York City has a lot of attractions. In fact, it is said that you could spend three years in New York doing nothing except sightseeing and still not see every vacation spot or attraction sites. Some of New Yorks main attractions are partly responsible for its global popularity and these include:

1. Statue of Liberty This statue represents or symbolizes democracy in the modern world. According to history, the statue signified hope for the immigrants who crossed through Ellis Island. A gift from the French government over a hundred years ago, it was meant to signify freedom which America stands for. Sculpted by the Frdric-Auguste Bartholdi, the steel Framework was built by the creator of the Eiffel tower, Gustav Eiffel and is about 305 ft altogether. To get to the top of the statue, a visitor would have to climb three hundred and fifty four steps. Tourists interested in getting into the monument can purchase one time tickets.

2. Empire State Building The empire state building is possibly the most popular building in New York. Once called the tallest building in the world -it is about one thousand, two hundred and fifty feet high -and named the 8th wonder of the world, many say it signifies or represents what was meant to be carried out when man decided to build the tower of Babel. The empire state building became extremely popular after the movie King Kong was shot in 1933. At the time, it was dubbed the tallest building. However, the mystery surrounding it still counts for visits from over two million visitors annually.

3. Central Park This major tourist centre occupies three hundred and forty one hectares of land is synonymous with its name in its location at the centre of Manhattan. Located between 5th and 8th avenue, central park consists of ice rinks for those who want to skate, theatres, baseball fields, fountains, lakes, a Zoo, a museum, tennis courts and a host of facilities. And the best part of central park is access to it is free of charge. A must see as part of a New York City vacation package.

4. Fifth Avenue For those who love shopping, 5th Ave is an awesome place to be. Located between the 49th and 59th streets, its like a concentration of designer stores such as Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Ferragamo, Prada and Versace. If you are looking for jewelleries, you will find Bulgari shops, Cartier and a host of other jewellers.

What is the History Behind the Winter Olympic Games?

The Nordic Games were the first iteration of winter Olympic games. Viktor Gustaf Balck first organized the Nordic Games in Sweden in 1901. This international mult-sport event that was designated specifically for winter sports was thereafter held regularly until 1926. In the meantime, Balck was rallying to have winter sports (starting with figure skating) included in the Olympic sport roster. He was unsuccessful until 1908, when four figure skating events were included in the 1908 Summer Olympics in London.

When planning the next summer Olympics (to be held in 1912), an Italian count named Eugenio Brunetto dUsseaux beseeched the International Olympic Committee to plan a week of winter sports as part of the 1912 games. The idea was not welcomed warmly, for a couple different reasons. First, the committee did not want to detract from the Nordic Games. Second, the committee was concerned about the lack of facilities for other winter sports.

More ground was gained in 1916, when the idea to include a week of winter sports was again proposed. The committee went as far as to plan the week of winter sports including figure skating, speed skating, ice hockey and Nordic skiing. Unfortunately, the 1916 games in Berlin were cancelled due to World War I.

Figure skating and ice hockey were featured in the first Olympic games after the war, held in Antwerp in 1920. Shortly thereafter the International Olympic Committee decided that the organizers of the next Olympics (to be held in 1924) would also host an International Winter Sports Week. The first Winter Sports Week took place in Chamonix in 1924 and actually lasted 11 days. The event was a huge success, drawing more than 200 athletes from 16 competing nations. In the first Winter Sports Week, women only competed in figure skating events.

In 1925, the International Olympic Committee created a separate event designated for these types of sports. The event was called the Olympic Winter Games, and at the same time, the 1924 Winter Sports Week in Chamonix was retroactively designated as the official first Winter Olympics. The second Olympic Winter Games were held in St. Moritz in February of 1928. The next Winter Olympic Games were held in North America for the first time. The location of the event was Lake Placid, New York. The turnout at the 1932 Winter Olympics was not impressive, however, partly due to the financial stress of the Great Depression. 1936 was the last year in which both summer and winter Olympics were held in the same country. Both the 1940 and the 1944 Winter Olympics were cancelled as a result of World War II. The 1956 Winter Olympics in Cortina dAmpezzo, Italy were the first to be televised.

The next Winter Olympics Games scheduled are to take place in 2010 in Vancouver, B.C. Below is a list of scheduled medal events:

- Alpine skiing – Biathlon – Bobsled – Cross-country skiing – Curling – Figure skating – Freestyle skiing – Ice hockey – Luge – Nordic combined – Short track speed skating – Skeleton – Ski jumping – Snowboarding – Speed skating

How can a Blog Help

Getting a good feel for a summer camp is not all that easy, checking out a camp blog can help. Here are just a few things you might find at Swift Nature Camp’s Blog. Camp Blog

Expect to capsize and swim occasionally when paddling a canoe, kayak or raft – it’s part of the sport! But when you hit the water unexpectedly, even strong swimmers need a lifejacket, also known as a personal flotation device (PFD). It allows you to concentrate on doing what’s needed to execute a self rescue and will allow you to assist others. Nearly 70% of all drownings involving canoes, kayaks or rafts might have been avoided if the victim had been wearing a lifejacket!

When thinking about a Minnesota children’s Summer Camp think about Swift Nature Camp. We are only a few short hours from Minneapolis and many of our campers are from Minnesota. For others, Minneapolis and St Paul, the largest cities in Minnesota is where our campers fly in from all around the world. Some parent even plan a little vacation in the city of Minneapolis. It’s diverse and grand with many exciting things to do and see, including the world famous Mall of America. The great variety of food and entertainment alone are well worth visiting this great city to take advantage of. So make sure to plan enough time to visit the city when you bring your child to resident camp this summer. You may even plan on seeing some of our local campers form Minneapolis.

The Russell W. Hogrefe Fresh Start Fund was established by Russell W. Hogrefe during his tenure as Executive Director of the American Camp Association, Illinois Section. He served in that position from 1979 until his retirement in 1996. Russ spent his entire professional career providing children’s summer camp and other services to families with very low income. Teachers, social workers, counselors or other professionals refer campers. ACA Illinois Section staff and the person making the referral select an appropriate day or resident camp program. Camps must be accredited by the American Camp Association. The camper’s family is encouraged to pay whatever they can afford for the camping experience. The camp provides a partial campership and the Fund pays the balance. If you would like to donate fund to help an underprivileged child attend summer camp in 2009 please send a check or make an online donation. Summer camp is an experience that enriches lives and all children should have the opportunity to attend kids summer camp. To learn how Swift Nature Camp can help your child attend camp visit our website.

Horses! Enough said. Today’s children often have their first interactions with a horse at summer camp. For most of us living the urban dream it is hard to have enough time in a day or space to own a horse. Yet at camp, children have the opportunity to get back to our American roots and have a relationship with a horse. Yes, a relationship! Horses have personalities, even more so than your family dog. Because they can do so much more, carry you through the woods on trails to places campers have never seen before. Our goal at Swift Nature Camp is to help children build this relationship while understanding basic horse care while learning how to ride.

When most folks think of a science they think of school and all those books and studying. However, Swift Nature Camp is all about having Fun while helps children to learn how and why to become good stewards of the environment. It is through direct experience and hands on activities that we inspire kids to be environmentally conscious when they return home. Our first goal is to be a kids summer camp but it is so much more,, it’s our dedication to the environment. Swift Nature Camp is fun with a purpose.

For additional information on how to pick the perfect camp for your camper see Find A Summer Camp

Going to Mexico, Latin American or Spain? Need to learn Spanish?

My Story: I had a challenge. I needed to move to Mexico for my health and to retire, and I spoke English; I also knew a few words of French from high school, about 12 words of Spanish which could wind me up in fight or jail, yeah – mostly curse words.

I was in trouble and when I arrived I needed help. Luckily I met Reuben Varela, a well known Restauranteur at the Hot Springs in San Juan Cosala, Jalisco, Mexico and Gerardo Tolentino, an English teacher who was struggling with teaching English. Reuben pushed me to find ways of learning and practicing Spanish, and Gerardo worked with me to create the Gringo Guide.

Reuben pushed me to find ways of learning and practicing Spanish, and Gerardo worked with me to create the Gringo Guide. I’m the gringo — and I sure needed a guide to get me through the experience of living in Mexico.

We talked to them and asked them what they needed, and we listened to what they asked of the waiters, restaurant owners, etc. Later, then Gerardo accompanied me to doctors and we went to travel through Mexico.

We talked to them and asked them what they needed, and we listened to what they asked of the waiters, restaurant owners, etc. Later, then Gerardo accompanied me to doctors and we went to travel through Mexico.

By the time we were finished, so was the book and that I had part of it recorded so that pronunciation would be no problem for anyone to learn. The book was finished and put up on our educational site at …. speedread.org.

Now, everyone I know who visits Mexico, Spanish or anywhere else in Latin America – can speak like a expat that lives in Mexico. It’s that easy.

The electronic pdf will fit on pocket devices to help you communicate on the spot with electronic support. So, when someone says: Que quieres tomar?

So, when someone says: Que quieres tomar? You’ll immediately know the answer — una marguarita, por favor. Or, una coca, limonada, cerveza, or whatever you want!Fulfill all your needs to communicate in Spanish for Spain, Mexico or Latin America?

The book comes with a full guide, by sections to learn, use, and get answers to all your questions. It’s guaranteed to make your vacation — fantastic.

Digitizing Photographs for Motor Home Use

It doesn’t matter whether you’ve got a million dollar motor coach or a tiny weekender you can still take a complete set of you photographs anywhere you go. There is never enough room in a motor home for photo albums or boxes of photographs, and you probably wouldn’t want to expose your photos to the additional risks associated with traveling anyway, but you don’t have to go without.

It’s easy to take your entire photo collection anywhere. Every photo you have can be stored on a DVD or two. Some people elect to scan their own photograph by purchasing a scanner. Others decide to send them to a professional photo scanning service. With some great scanning services charging as little as a nickel each this is a popular choice.

Aside from making your photos portable, photo scanning stops them from everyday deterioration and aging. Making several complete copies of your images and storing them in different places insures that they are never lost or destroyed by natural causes. And scanning makes it easy to share complete copies with each family member.

Looking for something to do on those evenings “on the road”? Scanning our photos makes it possible to build a slideshow that you can watch on TV. Software like Pro Show Gold by Photodex makes it easy to add text to your images, and add your favorite music. If you don’t feel that talented, there are many services that will create a slideshow for you to meet your needs.

Digital picture frames are a great way to view your newly scanned photos. And the good news is that they are getting to be relatively affordable. Some of the more expensive frames allow you to play a slideshow, add captions to your images, and add music. The low cost of high capacity memory cards now makes it possible to store all of your digital images right in the frame. Having your photos organized in a digital picture frame when you are visiting family or making new friends on the road is definitely worth the effort.

If you have large numbers of photos then doing them yourself could be an incredibly boring task. You could consider using one of the photo scanning services found online. But, shop carefully as prices and services vary greatly. Make sure you understand what your requirements are. For example you shouldn’t be paying to scan ordinary photos at a higher resolution than 300 dpi. You can find other articles online by this author that discuss some of these money saving topics. You can find great photo scanning services for as little as a nickel.

So next time you’re on the road again you’ll have the sense of satisfaction that your family’s photographic history is permanently safe and secure. No matter where your travels take you you’ll have all of your precious memories at your fingertips. You’ll be able to add the digital pictures that you’re taking now to your photo collection and they won’t be in two different formats. Digital photographs take very little storage space, are cheap to reproduce, and can be viewed and shared easily. Have a safe trip!

Picking a Minnesota Summer Camp

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.

What’s the camp’s ideology? Are you comfortable with this ? Is it a good fit for your child? Is competition or cooperation emphasized? What religious observances or practices are part of the program?

How does the Summer Camp get and train its staff? Do counselors have criminal background checks? First aid training? Drug Testing? What’s the training all about?

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

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.

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.

What medical staff work at the camp and what backup facilities are nearby? The ACA recommends that an overnight camp have a licensed physician or registered nurse on the site every day, and that day camps should have direct phone access. If your child takes medication, has food allergies or a chronic medical condition, be sure you are comfortable that the camp will be able to handle your child’s needs.

How does the camp Punish campers? Know what your summer camp’s rules and regulations. Be sure they match yur parental thoughts. Know what breaches would send a camper home.

What does a camp Day 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.

How does the camp provide transportation? How often are the van inspected? Who is driving, what’s the training.

Get References and more References, Get the names of parents with children who have attended the camp. They will tell you what makes camp so special and why they want to return.

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

Teenager Summer Camps

As parents we need to continually challenge our teens with new adventures. Summer opportunities for teen are nearly endless. As with any other summer programs, there are many advantages. One of the greatest for an adventure camp is to visit and explore new places and meet new people.Teen Summer Camp

Before you get down to choosing a program, you need to be sure that your child is ready for this type of program. You need to be realistic about your teens personality and readiness. There are five questions that you should ask yourself: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7_WLGdbj36U

* Does your teen want to go on this type of trip? If your teen is unsure, you may want to look for another activity. These trips are expensive and demanding. Though your teen may be apprehensive, you want to hear that she is looking forward to the challenge and is interested. You must find a trip that matches your child’s personality and interest.

* Is your teen flexible and willing to move with the punches? If your child takes a long time to adjust to new situations and people, then a teen adventure camp may be difficult and not so enjoyable. Shy type can enjoy a teen tour, it is best to discuss your child’s personality with the tour directors.

* Can your child meet the physical demands of the trip? Here you just need to be realistic. If the trip includes a lot of hiking, biking, mountain climbing or camping, your teen must be willing, eager, and in good enough shape to participate. If your child gets motion sickness easily, consider trips which involve long bus rides carefully.

* Mature and responsibility are a must. Can your teen handle the independence of a teen tour? Are they mature in their decision making? How do they do with peer pressure? Often, these programs give teens more freedom than they have at home. Be sure you know how your child will react to this kind of freedom and independence.

* Is your teen organized? Your teen will need to be be responsible for their stuff. They will ber packing and unpacking their belongings at several locations.

Swift Nature Camp is unique among teen summer camps in that we provide teens a special opportunity to make friends in a relaxed and fun-filled environment, to build self-esteem and independence, and to challenge themselves with new physical and creative activities. We realize teens want to do things for themselves and are bored by a “normal” camp. So we provide an Adventure Camp program with loads of opportunities for you and your cabin to leave camp and go out into the big open wild. Trips may include Appostle Islands, the International Wolf Center or find your way to the Mississippi River from Camp. Youth Summer Camp

Learn more about Adventure Camp Programs at Summer Camp Advice Summer Camp Guide

Find a Kids Camp

If you went to overnight camp as a child you can always tell a favorite story you can still remember in exact detail, down to the smell of that pine forest. Memories of summer camp are lifelong reminders of lessons with a lifetime?s worth of value with friends you haven’t forgotten. Learn how to select a Summer Camp Find a Summer Camp

Few places on earth can provide a child with opportunities daily fun the way a camps can. Fun would be reason enough to go to overnight camp, but summer camp offers much more to enrich a child’s life, whether it?s a Traditional Camp or Nature camp or a nonspecific resident camp.Summer Camp

Children?s camps are healthy places to be. Physical exercise is a natural part of a healthy child?s life, and camp is a natural provider of constant, safe exercise. The overnight camper?s intellect and imagination get plenty of exercise as well.

Camp offers a chance for kids to learn social interaction in a creative and independent way. Guided by capable adult friends called counselors, campers get an independent chance to apply what they have been taught at home in a larger world. If a summer camp is a coed camp, there is even more opportunity for kids to learn how to relate with members of the other gender as friends and equals rather than what advertisers promote.Summer Camp

Given our current economy sleep away camps are easily the most affordable summer care choice available. Yet, summer camp is so much more than childcare. It’s a place and time for kids to gain independence, enhance their skills, make new friends and above all have fun.

Campers grow to find and be themselves, in a natural setting that gently challenges a child to newer and higher standards for their own behavior. The kids camp daily context is activities that encourage perseverance, listening skills, teamwork, and the ability to recognize similarities and appreciate differences in each individual. If it?s a nature camp or an animals camp, kids get even more opportunities to relate with the creatures of the natural worlds around us. Self discovery can become a habit that lasts a lifetime.

Summer camp is a new chance to rediscover a growing life. Sleep-away camp is an opportunity for each child to come to a new place and try new things and make new friends. Everyone starts as an equal with a chance to just be oneself around others. Summer camp is so much more than the most affordable childcare choice parents can make?

Swift Nature Camp is one of the few camps nationwide that offers a beginning camp experience only for the first time camper. Learn More at Youth Summer Camp

To learn all about picking the right summer camp visit Best Summer Camps

Children’s Summer Camp-Blogs

Before you send your child to a summer camp it is a good idea to get a good feeling about a particular camp. Checking out a camp blog can help. Here are just a few things you might find at Swift Nature Camp’s Blog. Camp Blog

Expect to capsize and swim occasionally when paddling a canoe, kayak or raft – it’s part of the sport! But when you hit the water unexpectedly, even strong swimmers need a lifejacket, also known as a personal flotation device (PFD). It allows you to concentrate on doing what’s needed to execute a self rescue and will allow you to assist others. Nearly 70% of all drownings involving canoes, kayaks or rafts might have been avoided if the victim had been wearing a lifejacket!

We at Swift Nature Camp believe that your child’s safety is the most important part of camp. That is why we have a strict Lifejacket rule. Everyone must wear a PDF when in a boat. No exceptions, staff and campers alike. THis is true if on a river canoe trip or on on our own camp lake. Water is so much fun and kids love it but it is dangerous and we must be prepared. We even have a special “titanic test” to ensure that our lifejacket fits nice and snug in case of an emergency. Campers learn this the first day of camp.

Swift Nature Camp is only a few short miles from Minnesota. It’s like having a Children’s summer camp in Minnesota. We are so fortunate to be able to avail ourselves to the natural beauty of Minnesota. Near Lake Superior, the largest of the great lakes. Many Swift Campers hike along the scenic bluffs of the Superior Hiking Trail. A little further north in Minnesota, campers participate in canoe trips to the Boundry Waters of Minnesota. This National Park is untouched by man. Here in this Minnesota camp, the views are breathtaking from the deep dark forests to the sparkling lakes, the naturalistic and simple beauty is evident while canoeing from lake to lake or just taking it easy while picking blue berries.

Horses! Enough said. Today’s children often have their first interactions with a horse at summer camp. For most of us living the urban dream it is hard to have enough time in a day or space to own a horse. Yet at camp, children have the opportunity to get back to our American roots and have a relationship with a horse. Yes, a relationship! Horses have personalities, even more so than your family dog. Because they can do so much more, carry you through the woods on trails to places campers have never seen before. Our goal at Swift Nature Camp is to help children build this relationship while understanding basic horse care while learning how to ride.

We at Swift realize the importance that campers feel special while at camp. That is why we have created a special First Timer program for children who have never been to camp. Our goal is to help children feel self confident while quite possibly being your child’s first extended time away from home. We do this by having extra staff on hand for each and every camper needs. We are extremely proud of the fact that during Discovery Camp we limit each cabin size to only 8 campers with 2 staff members. That’s only 72 campers (ages 6-12) and 26 staff members ! We also have an Orientation Day, when campers not only get a tour of the camp, complete with a visit to the Health Center and the Mail Box, but also go to each activity area learning about safety in that activity. Within the cabin our staff works hard to promote a nurturing and harmonious friendships. This starts with a Respect List for all to agree to and sign and each night ends with a bedtime story. Due to the fact that all campers are new to this camp they are all on equal ground right from the start. We encourages each child to learn independence in a safe, age appropriate non-competitive environment. Our twelve day program is the perfect length of time for your first time camper to gain autonomy, leaving their homesickness behind, and feeling comfortable with their new-found independence. For many campers the greatest lesson camp teaches is that they can leave home, return days later and very few things will have changed, especially your love for them. Swift Nature Camp’s Discovery Program is the perfect match for any camper that’s a little concerned about leaving home for the first time.

For additional information on how to pick the perfect camp for your camper see Camp Info

The Magical World of Disneyland

There are tons of reasons why people flock to Disneyland for their vacation. One of them is their love for Mickey Mouse. Who doesn’t love Mickey? Who didn’t grow up watching cartoons that feature this lovable mouse? For decades, this iconic animated character has enchanted both kids and adults alike. This maybe the reason why Mickey is the symbol for Disneyland. When you think of Disneyland, you think of Mickey.

Ask any kid where they want to go to have a terrific time, and the answer they’ll give you is Disneyland. People would flock to this fantastic tourist destination only to have a good time. Disneyland is not only for kids. Even parents and most adults still get enchanted by this magnificent landmark. Aside from the beautiful faade and the lovely walkways that are great backgrounds for pictures, the rides in this place will surely appeal to you.

Some of the things that endeared Disneyland to people are the Electrical Light Parade, Fantasmic, and Sleeping Beauty’s castle. These, together with the other attractions in this world-famous tourist spot makes people want to come back. Here, you can spend the whole day touring the place and then spend the next day at the Disneyland Resort. Add to that the beautiful weather in California. A nice weather will make you enjoy your visit more.

One important aspect of Disneyland is its characteristic of being child and adult-friendly. Even though this is an amusement park, parents and other adults don’t have to feel bored while waiting for their kids finish the rides. There is something for everybody here, even parents.

You don’t have to wait impatiently for your kids to finish their rides because you can find a ride of your own. Or you can take a stroll to see the other nice places to see inside the kingdom. It’s really nice to have a place where everyone has something to enjoy. It will make the Disneyland experience even better for the whole family.

A Disneyland vacation will surely make your family bonding a lot better and enjoyable. For sure, you’ll be stung by the infectious jovial mood not only of the other people enjoying the place, but by the place itself-that is the magic of Disneyland.

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