Meet the Man Behind the Megafish
Hogan is third in a series of eight National Geographic Explorers who will be visiting the Valley of the Sun this summer at the new National Geographic Explorers Camp at the Fairmont Scottsdale.
What: National Geographic Explorers Camp is an adventure-based resort kids camp, where children ages 5-12 navigate a GPS to discover desert creatures, go on a photo safari, play on gigantic continent maps and meet real-life explorers. The camp runs Tuesdays-Sundays for overnight guests through Labor Day. The world-renowned speakers are an added feature, approximately ever other Saturday.
More on Hogan: Big fish? Make that megafish. Dr. Zeb Hogan is an aquatic ecologist who travels the world searching for giant, fresh water fish weighing over 200 pounds. As the Director of National Geographic Megafishes Project based in Reno, Nev., Hogan is leading a team of investigators to study freshwater ecosystems on six continents. Hogan’s project is racing against the extinction of bear-size catfish, half-ton stingrays, giant trout and other monster fish. He believes these fish provide insight into the health of ecosystems and that it is just as important to save Mekong catfish and river dolphins, as it is to save tigers and whales. To do this, he involves local anglers in his research, hoping to engender pride in the bounty of their lakes and rivers and encourage sustainable fishing practices.
A native of Tempe, Ariz. and U of A graduate, Hogan is returning to the state to interact and educate youngsters during two Saturday National Geographic Explorers Camp sessions at the Fairmont Scottsdale. Hogan will then keynote a special family dinner event, sharing his expertise, conservation efforts and adventures to save these freshwater giants. The kids’ camp and family dinner event are available for overnight resort guests for a nominal fee.
Where: At the Fairmont Scottsdale, located at 7575 E. Princess Drive in Scottsdale.
Interviews: Available for in-studio interviews, Friday morning, June 26
Photo Ops: On Saturday, June 27, Hogan will “edu-tain” young explorers during morning and afternoon camp sessions. During an informal dinner event for the whole family, Hogan will give a lecture presentation, sharing his adventures:
Best on-site photo opportunity: First Camp Session: 9 am – 10 am *
* Hogan will be fishing with the campers at the resort’s lagoon
Price: Daytime sessions for kid campers start at $59 for a half-day and $89 for a full-day with lunch on a speaker Saturday. Other days, the camp starts at $49 per session. The dinner event is $30 for adults, $15 for children ages 6-12 and kids 5 and under dine free. The camp and dinner are exclusively for overnight guests of the resort.
Summer room rate specials feature the “Summer Splash Package” at $199 per room, per night, which includes a $100 daily food and beverage credit. The camp is a la carte. Room only rates start at $145 per night.
