Scottsdale Blog - Things to do in Scottsdale, Arizona » National Geographic

Experience National Geographic Explorers Camp

Josh Kenzer — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 21:53:41 +0000

This last Saturday, I had the pleasure of taking my kids to the National Geographic Explorers Camp at the Fairmont Scottsdale. Usually, parents use resort camps as built in babysitters so they can go out and explore the resort on their own. However, with the National Geographic Explorers Camp, it’s the kids who are getting the once in a lifetime experience. Each camp features a different guest speaker who presents to the kids about their craft and devises ways for the kids to interact with that profession.

For us, it was wildlife photographer Joel Sartore. Joel’s experience as a wildlife photographer would be diffuclt to match. He had plenty of stories to share of hair rasing encounters with nature each accompanied by fantastic photography. After getting an overview of equipment and a short presentation on taking great pictures, each kid in the camp was outfitted with digital point and shoot cameras. They were divided into smaller groups and sent out on a photo safari, walking around the Fairmont Scottsdale Resort taking pictures from a worms eye view, a birds eye view and a 360 view – Joel’s tip for finding great pictures. Joel jumped from group to group, giving tips to the kids as well as the camp instructors – he was even nice enough to put up with photo questions. As a testament to his teaching, here are a few pictures my kids took. Neither Mayah or Tyler has been allowed to touch my camera, so they were learning for the first time.

Bird in Flight - Photo by Tyler Kenzer

Pink by Mayah Kenzer

After the photo walk, the kids watched a short National Geographic video featuring Joel and ate lunch. They then spent an hour and a half playing in one of the Fairmont’s pools, complete with water slides. The Fairmont’s camp staff was awesome with the kids and ran the camp like a well oiled machine.

After swimming, Joel took some portrait photos of the kids. All said, the full day camp was 8:00 am till 4:00 pm. Parents have the choice of entering the kids for half the day for $59 or full day for $89 – which includes lunch, a backpack, a hat, a water bottole and a great experience. The camp is open to children 5-12 years old.

The guest speaker also sticks around for a Saturday night family dinner presentation. Joel geared it more towards the adults since the kids had heard him talking all day. The presentation was inspiring and engaging. The dinner was buffet style which featured food like mac & cheese, chicken fingers and hot dogs for the kids and Salmon, beef brisquet and roasted chicken for the adults. Diner is $30 for adults and $15 for kids 6-12. 5 and under is free.

There are only three camps left this summer, August 8th featuring Dr. Mireya Mayor – the Female Indiana Jones, August 22nd featuring Dr. Kobie Boykins – Mr. Mars, the NASA engineer, and September 5th featuring Dr. Mark Moffett – Modern Day Explorer. Whether you are visiting for the summer or live in the valley, make sure to get your kids into one of these camps.

Here are some photos I took from the days events:

Meet the Man Behind the Megafish

Josh Kenzer — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 23:09:06 +0000

Who: Zeb Hogan – Aquatic Ecologist, National Geographic Explorer

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.

National Geographic Explorers Camp at Fairmont Scottsdale

Mitchell Tay — Fri, 15 May 2009 22:50:03 +0000

Navigating a GPS to discover desert creatures, going on a photo safari, or meeting real-life explorers, the Fairmont Scottsdale is making this summer an adventure to remember. The resort is introducing the first National Geographic Explorers Camp, exclusively for overnight guests.

From May 22 – September 7, 2009, the camp offers discovery-based activities for ages 5-12. Campers trek on a “Desert Discovery” GPS treasure hunt, go on a “Photo Safari,” have fun at a “Geo Bowl” and play on gigantic, highly-detailed maps.

Best of all, eight world-renowned National Geographic explorers share their adventures on select Saturdays beginning May 30. Experts include “Crittercam” inventor Greg Marshall, tornado chaser Tim Samaras and reptile expert Brady Barr.

Families also enjoy waterslides, “dive-in” movies, fishing, a teen “Hang Out” and infant amenities upon request.

Summer rates begin at $199 per night, with a $100 daily dining credit. The camp is a la carte, starting at $49. For details, dial (800) 908-9370 or visit www.fairmont.com/scottsdale.