Sara Button has recently written a story, Black Bear, Loon & Walleye: A Fable from the Northwoods. As Directors of Swift Nature Camp an Environmental Summer Camp in the Northwoods of Wisconsin, this story holds a special place in our hearts. It is such a good story we put a copy in our camp library for all our staff to share with their children.
the story tels of three friends–Black Bear, Loon & Walleye, one furry, one feathered, one sporting fish scales–and each wishes for the gifts of another. As you can imagine ech wish for the others coat. Black Bear longs for shiny scales to look flashy and impress his friends; Loon wants to sport and enviable fur coat; and Walleye wants to fly. But when their wishes mysteriously come true, each realizes a disadvantage: Bear’s scales can’t keep him warm, Loon can’t fly with fur weighing her down, and Walleye has bad eyesight and is no good at flying even with feathers.
Black Bear, Loon and Walleye take a wild adventure that teaches them lessons that are timeless universal truths. The friends learned a valuable lesson that day, to appreciate each others gifts, but most of all to value their own. Trying new things is important, because you might find something that you really enjoy. But if it doesn’t work out, you still get to know yourself better. So each characters learned that they each have special gifts and that they need to always appreciate the other’s gifts, while valuing their own.
All who read This is a story will remember the importance of trying new things, understanding our own true nature, and having faith that we are all perfectly designed to fulfill our own unique purposes in life. The bottom line, Know yourself well and Value your gifts!
At Summer Camp the opportunity arises daily to promote each child’s personal development by providing fun, friendship and leadership in a supportive and noncompetitive environment away from home. Camp provides children an opportunity to act on their own, be self-reliant and try things for themselves. Camp provides few long lasting consequences, so children know that if it doesn’t work out they can start over much like the stars of our book.
Ech night as our camp counselors read stories to the children a familiar call is heard in the background. As the loon calls it brings this story to life and makes it a special evening. If coming to the Northwoods is not as easy for you use the CD that comes with the book has loon sounds along with a guitar and the story read aloud.
Thinking of a sending your child of to camp? Try Summer Camp Advice a Free reference for parents looking for the Best Children’s Summer Camps.
Swift Nature Camp is a Minnesota Summer Camp for boys and girls ages 6-15. Our focus is to blend traditional Overnight Summer Camp activities with an appreciation for nature, animals and the environment.
Posted on 20 January '10, under Travel. No Comments.
All of us look forward to vacations. For many people it is the only time of year when the stresses and worries of daily life can be put on the shelf. Getting the most of your travel package and holiday is essential for a memorable experience.
The range and diversity of activities that are now available in a package holiday are vast. There are vacations that can offer you a wealth of exciting adventurous pursuits such as hiking or scuba diving but also there are deals which will include nothing but the cost of the hotel. When organising the booking you need to understand just exactly what activities will be included free of cost and which require a supplementary payment. Think about any Restaurants Vancouver or even Associations Vancouver you might want to travel to.
The concept of an all in one travel package has been around for more than a hundred years. The first tours of this nature were organised in the UK by Thomas Cook. Since then package holidays have become the most popular form of vacation with millions of people annually choosing such a deal.
Usually the package will include all travel arrangements so that you can be sure to have a smooth and pleasant holiday. If you were to book a flight and hotel room separately then chances are that the cost would be a lot higher.
When you book the trip make sure that you ask the travel agent just exactly what facilities will be available for your use in the resort. At certain times of the year it can make sense to plan and arrange any day trips or extra activities before actually heading off for the vacation. Otherwise you may turn up at the destination only to discover that the pursuits you wanted to enjoy have been fully booked out.
You may also find it helpful to ask the agent to include the cost of the airport pick up in the deal. In many cases this is already calculated. Some resorts can be a considerable distance from the airport and if you were to pay for a taxi yourself you may have to spend upwards of a hundred dollars.
By not jumping at the first good deal you see you will stand a better chance of getting greater value for money. It is a fact that the tourism industry has seen many operators go out of business over the last few years, for this reason it can often be possible to pick up an excellent deal for a price you may have not thought possible.
If you want to locate the best possible travel package deal then the best place to look is online. You will get more for your money if you make the booking online as compared to a regular High Street travel agent. There are literally hundreds of websites advertising the latest cut price holiday deals.
To conclude, before you pay for any travel package be sure that you are clear on what you will be given for your money. If you have a requirement for a specific facility or activity then speak to the travel agent before you set off. When you pay for any service or product over the internet be sure to read all the small print and understand the possible alteration and cancellation charges.
Looking to travel to a great place to travel to? If you haven’t already, try Vancouver! Travel to Vancouver! They have a huge variety of cuisines, cultures, and much more. If you like it enough, you might even be interseted in some Real Estate Vancouver.
Posted on 20 January '10, under Travel. No Comments.
Are you someone that wants to get away but not sure how, or still pondering how you are going to spend those vacation days? Have you ever thought about taking a cruise vacation to somewhere you always wanted to visit? Then maybe you should look into taking a cruise.
I am not going to be promoting specific cruise lines in this article; I will just be going over some of the things that you can expect when you are on board a cruise ship that holds 1,000 people or more.
Offshore excursions that are guided are very popular among many of the popular cruise lines that are out there. The destination is up to you, some packages may stop at 5 or 6 foreign ports, while others maybe only one or two, if there is a port there then there is a cruise ship that will go to it, a simple internet search should be able to answer that question.
Cruise ships offer you a wide array of amenities, so there is always plenty of stuff to do when you are on a cruise ship. Swimming pools and spas can be found, along with chairs so that you can lay out and catch some sun.
If you are someone that likes to stay in shape, then you can stop by the gym, which every major cruise ship will have one or more. Besides having a gym on board, many cruises have a track that will circle the entire cruise ship for those that want to go for a jog or a just a walk.
In the United States, casinos are very limited, and can only be found in Vegas, Atlantic City, and Indian reservations. Many cruise ships have casinos that are on board, and when you are out in the open water gambling is not illegal, this is one reason why many people love to take cruises.
You will be able to spoil yourself with delicious foods, as major cruise lines only hire some of the best chefs around. There is plenty of dining and some cruises may even offer you room service straight to your cabin, so you can wake up with fresh coffee and eggs.
If you are a night owl then you can enjoy clubs aboard a cruise ship, where you can find dancing and cocktails, if you are old enough of course. Every cruise ship will have some sort of activity, parade or show for the night people.
Planning a perfect cruise is not that difficult if you know exactly what you want out of it. The easiest way would be to get a travel agent, if you cannot afford one then make a list of everything that you expect, and a staff member from the specific cruise line will make sure that they can meet your needs.
Not only has the author been apart of several cruise vacations, she also has a website that will tell you all about discount disney cruises.
Posted on 20 January '10, under Travel. No Comments.
Nurses are a highly respected and valuable asset to the medical community. There are a number of different exciting and rewarding nursing fields. One type of nurse that has become a popular career choice is the Travel Nurse. A travel nurse is a nurse that goes to various regions of the country, or internationally, to provide short term nursing support. Work environments can include hospitals, medical clinics, facility administration, medical rehabilitation, and more. Although these work assignments are short term, they are quite lucrative. Nurses are normally recruited to fill in for full time nurses on leave, on vacation, or to provide additional support during certain times of the year when there is an excessive work load.
Although a typical nursing assignment can range from days to months, it is usually about 13 weeks. The salary of a travel nurse will vary by experience and location of the assignment. A nurse will usually make about $25 – $35 per hour. Depending on the agency and employer, a nurse may be paid daily or hourly. As well, there will be a housing subsidy, compensation for travel expenses, and health insurance benefits.
Those who choose a career as a Travel Nurse appreciate flexibility. One can work as much as they want and decide what type of work assignment they will accept. It is a great choice for new nursing graduates who want to travel and not be tied down to one work place.
Experience is a plus as employers want the nurse to be able to perform all tasks competently on the first day of the assignment. Joining an agency that matches nurses with short-term positions is essential to becoming a travel nurse. Agencies assist employers in most regions of the country with filling their short-term job positions. When a medical facility has a job opening, they will contact the agency. They will then match the job requirements with the candidate. The agency will arrange the interview, and once the nurse is hired, the recruiter will help with the travel arrangements, housing, and acquire the temporary state license.
Registered nurses will benefit because their national board exam covers state requirements. The recruiter will receive a fee for their work. Sometimes a medical facility will try to recruit the travel nurse for a full time position if they have an opening and are happy with their work. There are hundreds of agencies that focus on placing travel nurses. Agencies will vary in their representation of employers, assignments, and locations. As well, there are travel nursing agencies that offer free education courses so nurses can stay up-to-date on nursing education and medical technologies.
When you have a career as a travel nurse, you have to maintain a current resume and travel plan. This includes keeping a ‘travel list’ such as important documents, travel papers…etc. Prior to travel, one should carefully check out the work destination such as the community, proximity to supermarkets, retail stores, and restaurants, and any personal safety issues…etc. A nurse should arrive a few days prior to starting the assignment to unpack and settle. The life of a travel nurse is exciting, educational, flexible, and very lucrative. It is a great career choice for those who enjoy helping people while experiencing new places and people.
The best travel nurse jobs can provide rewarding experience and exciting career opportunities in the medical field. Alternatively, your transferable skills are also applicable to numerous occupational therapy jobs.
categories: travel nurse,nursing jobs,nurse,exciting jobs,medical career,nursing,travelling,therapy,career,medical
Posted on 20 January '10, under Travel. No Comments.
The oceans off of the Mexican coast are full of a variety of fish species appealing to any kind of fisherman. Fishing is a very popular hobby for anyone visiting and living in Mexico. Swimming in the Mexican waters are fish like Marlin, Wahoo, Tarpon, Snook, and the beautiful Sailfish. The best fish to catch in Mexico are considered by many the best fish to catch in the world.
Blue Marlin is a popular fish for sport fishermen in Mexico. Being the heaviest and largest of the marlins they are a very tough fish to catch. The Blue Marlin puts up a big fight and has an incredible jumping range. September through November is the prime season for catching any kind of Marlin with October being the best month.
The Black Marlin looks very similar to the Blue Marlin, with the only physical difference being that the blue strip along its back is much darker. Black Marlin are a lot harder to find and put up a much bigger fight. Reeling in one of these fish can take hours and can very easily result in a loss of the fish.
Sailfish can be found all year long, but the fall months seem to be when the bigger sailfish are caught. The Sailfish is a beautiful fish and an excellent jumper, but are proven to be an easier catch than Marlin as they tire out quickly. Fishermen have been successful catching these fish by trolling with lures or live bait, and also kite fishing from boats.
The Wahoo fish can be found off the coast of Mexico during the summer months. They are easy to find either around reefs or further out in the ocean. Tuna, squid, small mackerel, and puffers are some of the prey that the Wahoo feeds on.
If you are looking in lagoons among the snags or out in the open waters you can find a common fish in Central America called Snook. Snook are temperature sensitive as are most fish. The deeper waters are home to the largest of the Snook.
Tarpon are another kind of fish found in the ocean off of Mexico. They are more commonly found in the more shallow waters. Fishermen have noted that fishing for Tarpon is one of the best kinds of experiences due to the Tarpon’s leaping ability to shake the hook. Tarpon is not an easy catch with only 1 out of 5 hooks being successful on average.
With all the different kinds of fish off of Mexico’s coast it is an attractive location for fishermen around the globe. All year long these waters offer numerous fishing opportunities for any kind of fisherman.
Looking to find the best deal on Sport Fishing Ixtapa Mexico, then visit www.yoursite.com to find the best advice on Fishing Resort for you.
Posted on 20 January '10, under Travel. No Comments.
For many denizens of the East Coast, mentioning the Jersey Shore will evoke images of glittering Atlantic City, with its huge casino resorts and the boardwalk that once inspired the popular game of Monopoly. However, there is much more to the Jersey Shore. There are many towns along the coast that afford lovely views and access to beautiful beaches as well as plenty of things to do, coupled with the small-town appeal that many people long for.
Sea Isle City is a great example of this. Featuring five miles of beautiful beaches and about 3,000 year round residents, Sea Isle is located in Cape May County, the southernmost New Jersey county. Despite its size, the town affords lots of fine dining and a thriving nightlife. Water sports, deep sea fishing, boutique shopping, and a boardwalk with lots of family activities, along with its famous European charm, makes this city a popular destination for summer getaways. It also features many unique festivals throughout the year that residents and visitors alike can enjoy. The vibrant summer life and the quiet, relaxing off-season make this a great place to live or own a vacation home.
If you desire a place to truly escape city life, you might fall in love with the town of Barnegat Light. At the southern tip of Long Beach Island in Ocean County, this tiny Jersey Shore village has just 800 year round residents, including vacation operators and some retirees. Barnegat Lighthouse State Park features the second tallest lighthouse in the United States as well as one of the last remaining vestiges of maritime forest on the island. A popular attraction in this town is fishing, due to the array of saltwater fish that can be caught from the shore or from a charter boat in the region. Tennis, boating, birdwatching or just catching some sun on the beach are pleasant pastimes for both visitors and residents.
If you’re searching for a small town to live in on the Jersey Shore, but still wish to commute to the big city for work, Highlands in northern Monmouth County might be just what you are looking for. Just 40 minutes to Wall Street by ferry, Highlands is right across the bay from Sandy Hook Beach, with over seven miles of coastline. 5,000 people live in Highlands year round, and it offers an exciting nightlife and plenty of outdoor activities. In addition, it is known for several resorts, hotels, and excellent seafood restaurants as well as a unique maritime museum, and Twin Lights — the first twin lighthouse ever constructed.
Longport, New Jersey is a small residential hometown with city convenience nearby. On the southernmost point of Absecon Island, this quiet village has about 1,100 residents and no hotels. It features a tranquil atmosphere and relaxing beaches, yet is merely fifteen minutes from Atlantic City and five minutes from shopping at Somer’s Point and the attractions of Ocean City.
Whether you are looking for a vacation home or to permanently relocate, these beachfront towns offer inviting options. After you choose the area that suits you best, a local real estate agent will be able to help you find the Jersey Shore home of your dreams in your charming new hometown.
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Posted on 20 January '10, under Travel. No Comments.
I stand by my belief that anyone looking to find the best dining, golfing and a lot of recreational experiences in Summit County will find them in Breckenridge. The claim is without any prejudice, as it is supported by facts, like the choice of the residents of Summit Country, expressed through a survey conducted by Summit Daily News. Breckenridge ranked on top in the following categories:
Top Choice Ski Mountain No Doubt About It. If the ski lifts are open, do not fail to bring your ski gears with you. According to the county residents, the best destination is Breckenridge Ski Resort. Why are they proud to suggest Breck?
At Breckenridge Ski Resort, just the availability of various skiing runs, whether you are a novice, or an accomplished adventure seeker, makes you feel an important and welcome guest. As a guest you will feel as if your host is providing you with personalized service. The title is, no doubt fitting for a place where you can view fantastic scenery at the highest spot in North America in addition to its exciting runs whatever your skiing level of expertise is.
With the award, the locals as well as the visitors are having a good time being recognized as the Best Ski Mountain. They welcome visitors to join the celebration at their favorite bars or cafes.
Best Place for People Watching: When on the mountains of Summit County do not fail to visit Breckenridges Main Street, chosen as the finest place to relax or enjoy in the county. No matter if you go there to buy food for breakfast or you are enjoying a few drinks before calling it a day, take note of the interesting view aside from the mountains.
Great Hiking Trail: Summit County is known not just for its best ski mountain but for other recreational activities as well, like hiking along the Mohawk trail. The trail is seven miles long and along the way, you will also see the Continental Falls, the remains of a ruined mine for some evidence of the countys history, Mohawk Lake and the breath taking panorama of Breckenridge.
Best Park: The residents of Summit County put Breckenridges Carter Park on top of their list not only because its their favorite dog park but for other reasons too. Along High Street, Breckenridge Park is the place should you plan to enjoy your meal in the open air then to exercise, to play soccer, volleyball or just sprint a bit.
Best Golf Course: It should not come as a surprise that the 27-hole Breckenridge Golf Course constructed based on Jack Nicklaus design is the best in Summit County. Playing at an elevation of 9,234 feet from sea level is truly a unique experience you wont get at any other golf course. That Breckenridge Golf Course is the best is not just the opinion of the locals. The magazine Colorado Golfer, named it the Toughest Mountain Course.
Breckenridge offers many more bests or top ranked establishments in entertainment, shopping, dining that cannot be accommodated in this list. Breckenridge vacation rentals are another best in Summit County when you are searching for the accommodation that provides real value for the price.
Why dont you visit Breckenridge and verify my list? I expect you will find more to make a longer list.
Monique Mertandes is a long-time resident of Breckenridge Colorado and is a constant source of information on the area. She gives helpful suggestions for planning a ski vacation, such as how to find the best Breckenridge home rentals.
Posted on 19 January '10, under Travel. No Comments.
THE WEATHER IS UNBEARABLE HOT: This is in fact a large myth. The truth is, Australia has the most enjoyable year round temperatures allowing for some of the best outdoor activities vacation anywhere. The year round average temperatures are no higher than 84 degrees and only go as low as 70 degrees. On top of this the humidity level is also low, making it one of the most comfortable regions to visit no matter what time of year.
VISITORS ARE NOT TREATED WELL IN AUSTRALIA: Since Australians on the kindest and most hospitable individuals you will ever encounter this is an absolutely false statement. The residents in Australia will welcome you with open arms and do all they can to make you feel comfortable and right at home.
THERE IS NOTHING TO ENJOY WHILE VISITING AUSTRALIA: Many have been misled to believe that all Australia has to offer is tropical rainforest’s, but they have really built up attractions in this region to make it a real tourist area. And Brisbane is the third largest area in Australia with everything you would expect from a real city. Arts and culture, music and shopping, you will find that there is never a dull moment in this region.
IT IS UNSAFE ON INTERNATIONAL FLIGHTS: Although, there have been some terrorist issues on international flights, the good news is that flights from Australia seem to be the exception. You probably have a much bigger chance of having a problem if you are traveling back and forth to Australia than you will on a trip to and from Australia . It is just as safe as domestic travel is these days.
AUSTRALIA IS VERY PRIMITIVE: With some of the most luxurious accommodations and some of the finest dining establishments around you will find that the Australian culture is first class all the way. There are many fine boutiques, art exhibits and concerts that will delight even the most cultured person. Australia is a first rate place for a holiday and one that will create a truly memorable experience.
If you are searching for a brisbane accommodation at a great price, check out brisbaneinfromation.com.au. You will find information on various brisbane hotels and any amenities they may include.
Posted on 19 January '10, under Travel. No Comments.
Since Beijing is China’s capital, it has been home to many architectural wonders which served as defenses and halls to accept foreign guests. The emperor, known as the “Son of Heaven,” was the fulcrum of all the goings-on of the empire. It was through him that the country stood on its feet.
Today, it is a wonder to note that beside these magnificent structures are modern and glitzy Beijing hotels. Truly a sight to behold, these edifices are testaments where we can see how the past and the present harmoniously complement each other. Indeed, it is veritable that we should understand the past for us to define the future. The efforts of the Chinese forebearers were very instrumental in bringing the country to its present state as a modern dragon ready to conquer the world.
We remind you not to miss these wonderful sights if you are checked in at the wonderful Beijing hotels. Since the Great Wall of China has already been known the world over, then you should visit other sites such as the Drum and Bell towers.
Known in Chinese as the Gulou, the city’s drum tower is located at the northern end of the central axis of the Inner City. It was originally built for musical reasons but was later used to announce the time and is now a tourist attraction. It is a two-storey building made of wood standing about 47 meters. In ancient times the upper story of the building housed 24 drums, of which only one survives.
The Zhonglou, or the bell tower, can be seen very close to the drum tower. Both these towers were good vantage points in ancient Beijing since they were then the tallest structures. This is a 33-meter-high edifice with gray walls and a green glazed roof.
The Drum tower was built in 1272 during the reign of Kublai Khan. In 1420, the building was reconstructed to the east of the original site and in 1800, large-scale renovations were carried out. After a century, the Bell and Drum towers were finally opened to tourists in the 1980s.
Musical instruments such as bells and drums were later used to tell time in ancient China. They also served as watches for both officials and commoners alike. These two towers held significant roles in telling the time during the Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties. An interesting fact is that until now, you can still hear the rings of these ancient timepieces. In this modern age, people who stay in Beijing hotels or in their respective homes have already wristwatches which help them perform their tasks throughout the day.
These two important landmarks are important pieces in the history of Beijing. This gives fact to the saying that time is really precious. So what are you waiting for? Reserve your grand rooms in any of the Beijing hotels and get ready to marvel the sights and sounds of this fascinating city.
Author E. Larson is a long-time expatriate in Beijing, China. He works with the Qingzhu Hotel Beijing and many other hotels in Beijing. Go to his website on the Qingzhu Hotel Beijing here.
Posted on 19 January '10, under Travel. No Comments.
Fraser Island is the world’s largest sand island, and looks similar to certain scenes from Star Wars. Just a four wheel drive along the east coast beach, or through the inland forests is a mix of ancient rainforest’s and mystical sand dunes.
The large amounts of sand dunes makes it a popular destination for Sand Safaris. In order to enjoy this destination, however, you need a four wheel drive, as a regular car would become destroyed due to the lack of paved roads.
Self Drive tours are becoming really popular especially with backpackers as they are unbeatable on price. Nine new friends are given a vehicle, some 4WD instructions and then they head off in a convoy for a three day, two night camping adventure. There are advantages and disadvantages to this way of touring: It’s cheap , you can choose what and where you want to go and see and you could make great friends. The disadvantages are that it could be a very long three days if your group doesn’t get on. If you get an inexperienced driver, it is very frustrating if you spend most of your safari bogged in sand all the time. Also there have been a small amount of fatal crashes too.
If you don’t fancy sharing your safari with a bunch of strangers then it is possible to hire your own 4WD from Hervey Bay, Rainbow Beach or even on Fraser Island itself. All companies require a large deposit, usually a credit card imprint and you WILL lose it if you drive in salt water (so don’t even think about driving through those waves!!) A driving instruction video is normally shown and when planning your trip then driving about twenty kilometers in an hour on inland tracks and fifty an hour on the eastern beach would be about right. Be careful to resist the urge to speed as there have been many accidents and also, when driving on the beach, watch out for sunbathers on the Beach Highway.
The Island is home to a fantastic array of wildlife including the purest strain of Dingo in Australia. Dingoes can appear quite tame at first especially around camp grounds but they are wild animals and their only interest in people is the food that they leave. This can be harmful to both campers and dingoes. In April 2001, Fraser Island was the setting for a controversial dingo cull following the killing of a nine year old boy. This is a sad tragedy as Dingoes are highly intelligent and sensitive animals and if they had not been fed and encouraged to visit the camp grounds by tourists, neither event would have happened.
It can get to be difficult when trying to find a suitable car rental Queensland. If you log on to www.budget.com.au they have expert staff that can assist you with making this choice. No matter if you are looking in Queensland or car rental Coolangatta, you are sure to get just what you want!
Posted on 19 January '10, under Travel. No Comments.
