Staycation Ideas

Archive for the ‘Summer’ Category

To find your way in the world, all you need is a compass and a map. Those are also the two things you need for the fast-growing sport of orienteering. Orienteering challenges participants to find their way on a pre-determined path using a compass, a map, and one’s own physical and mental abilities.

How to Make it Happen

According to the US Orienteering Federation, www.us.orienteering.org, the objective of orienteering is to “…run, walk, ski, or mountain bike to a series of points shown on the map, choosing routes––both on and off trail––that will help you find all the points and get back to the finish in the shortest amount of time.”

Designed as a sport, participants pass a series of control markers that they must punch to prove they’ve been there. The goal is to finish the course as quickly as possible.

For more information on how to get started with orienteering, important safety tips and competition locations, visit www.us.orienteering.org.

Additional Activities

1. Practice your skills with a compass by taking an off-trail hike in the woods. Use caution and never hike where it’s prohibited. Always let someone know where you are going.
2. Try geocaching.
   

Geocaching is a fast growing phenomenon that involves using GPS technology to locate specifically placed, but hidden containers, called geocaches. Think of it as a treasure hunt for adults, although children will enjoy this too.

How to Make it Happen

To participate in geocaching, you will need a GPS device and the ability to hike, sometimes in rough terrain. The website, www.geocaching.com, provides helpful tips on how to get started, the location of geocache, and reviews on GPS devices.

Active geocachers not only hunt geocache, they also place them and create hide and seek adventures for others. When you find a geocache, you sign the log left with the marker. You then get online and share your adventure—including stories and photos—of locating the geocache.

Geocaching.com claims there are almost 765,000 active geocache in the world: surely one of them is near you!

Additional Activities

1. Visit different geocache locations around the country.
2. Try orienteering. 
3. Go trail hiking in the mountains.

Daily Mail National Trust reports north east tourism boost as holidaymakers chose a … Daily Mail The north east of England has seen a surge in tourist numbers over the summer as Britons opted to stay at home and explore their own green and …

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National Trust reports north east tourism boost as holidaymakers chose a … – Daily Mail

' Staycation ' bump a bust Longview Daily News The expected “ staycation ” bump didn't materialize for Mount St. Helens tourism this summer, but officials said people sticking closer to … Mount St.

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‘Staycation’ bump a bust – Longview Daily News

Not just for watercolors, modern art festivals offer everything from original paintings to sculpture to photography and even jewelry. These summer festivals are increasingly popular and are a great way to increase your personal art collection, collect an original piece, or just have fun on a summer day.

So grab a drink, stroll through the booths and admire other people’s talents. It may even inspire you to explore your own.

How to Make it Happen

Do an online search to locate major summer art festivals in your area of the country. You can also try contacting your area Chamber of Commerce or arts council for information on local exhibitions. Your state tourism website may also have a list of community art festivals.

Additional Activities

1. Create your own masterpiece 
2. Attend an exhibit of a local artist.
3. Check out a book on a favorite artist or one you want to learn more about.

Spa-Finder has launced a new advertising campaign just for the staycationer with their “Spa-Cation” a new “stay-cation” alternative that’s almost as budget-friendly (no airfare or lodging required) but far more rejuvenating.

From the ancient mineral baths of the Dead Sea to the legendary Golden Door spa of California, great spas of the world have been coveted vacation destinations for centuries. But with so many luxurious day spas located nearby, there’s no reason you can’t pamper themselves and still remain close to home.

We all know that life can be stressful.  And our bodies and minds, without proper attention, end up taking the brunt of that stress.  That’s why with haute mud wraps to hot-stone massages,chakra realignments to miracle treatments that have you aging in reverse, there has never been a better time to take care of yourself (mind, body and spirit) and take a spa-cation!  Your body will thank-you!

Pack up the goggles and the sunscreen and take the family to the city pool for a day of wet ‘n wild fun. Any cold pool will do on a hot day, but if you’re up for more adventure, look for a city water park in your area with slides, fountains and waterfalls. Take a book and lounge poolside, but don’t forget to get in and play with the kids or you’ll miss out on all the fun.

How to Make it Happen

This one’s pretty simple. Pick the pool, pay admission, and enjoy. Call ahead to see if floaties or other water toys are allowed. If going to the pool might be a regular activity for your family, consider buying a season pass to save money.

Pack all the pool essentials in a carry-all bag:

• Sunscreen
• Sunglasses
• Visors
• Goggles
• Beach towels

Don’t forget some extra cash to treat yourself to a snack at the concession stand. It’s your vacation, so go ahead–indulge!

Additional Activities

1. Sign the kids up for swim lessons. If they’re all ready good swimmers, sign them up for a summer swim team.
2. Create your own backyard waterpark.

There’s a trick to flying a kite. It isn’t easy-just ask Charlie Brown about those kite-eating trees. But if you can get that kite in the air, the site is awe-inspiring. Surely, you’ve been to a park where everyone stops to look at the kite flying above them. We all wish it was us.

How to Make it Happen

Perhaps the best way to learn is by doing. Buy a kite, pick a breezy day and an open space, and see if you can get your kite in the air. If you find you need a little more help, check out this website, www.ehow.com/how_1289_fly-kite.html.  There are also video guides on YouTube, which you can find using an online search.

If you want to make this a bigger project for your family, try making your own kites from a pattern or kit. Kite kits can be purchased from hobby stores. Let the kids help assemble the kite and decorate it anyway they want.

Additional Activities

1. Once you have the kite, don’t let it get crushed by shoving it on a shelf in the garage. Take it out again. Become an expert and give advice to others trying to get theirs in the air!
2. Have everyone in the family design his or her own kite. Have a family contest to see which kite flies highest. Which stays in the air the longest. Which looks the best.

Fresh Strawberries

Fresh strawberries were a staple on my grandmother’s summer table. She picked them from her own garden and to this day I’ve tasted nothing better in the world. With so many meals coming out of cans and boxes, lifestyles today don’t always encourage eating fresh, and few of us still tend our own gardens. But Grandma’s garden is making a comeback—with a twist. Pick-Your-Own farms are increasingly popular and allow you to pick as much fresh fruit or produce as you want, usually paying by the pound. These farms allow you to reconnect with the food chain, as well as providing fresh, healthier produce without the commitment of tending your own garden. Cherries, berries and grapes are all popular pick-your-own farm staples.

How to Make it Happen

Finding a Pick-Your-Own farm is the trick. Look for ads or information in community parent magazines, web searches, or simply call your local Chamber of Commerce for leads. These farms survive on consumer use so they do advertise. Word of mouth recommendations and roadside signs are also good ways to find a popular farm destination.

Once you’ve found a nearby farm, plan your day and go. It is important to come prepared for sun and insects. Pack sunscreen, sunglasses, bug repellent and gloves. Remember, berries stain! So don’t wear clothes you don’t mind getting messy. You can take your own sacks but most farms should provide baskets. You are usually charged by the pound and pay when you leave.

Additional Activities

• Learn how to make jelly with your fresh picked berries.
• Visit a local Farmers Market to support local growers and to supplement your fresh produce intake.
• Like eating fresh from the farm? Start your own small garden and commit to growing a few of your favorite summer foods.

Did you like this staycation idea?  It came directly from my book “101 Great Staycations” You can learn more about my staycation book here

Looking for staycation ideas?  I (now) have a book of them!  I am very proud to announce the release of  my book “101 Great Staycations”.

With summer fast approaching and our country deep in a recession, many families are wondering how to plan a memorable summer vacation while at the same time being very mindful of every dollar spent.  Many families are wondering if they can even take a vacation at all? The answer?  Plan a staycation!

A staycation is a unique way of combining the word stay (as in stay-at-home) and vacation.  Staycations involve taking in the sights and sounds of your hometown and local area all while trying to recreate the vacation-like experience.  The hardest part of  planning a staycation is finding those activities that provide the most fun for every dollar.  Another challenge of staycations, is finding something that your kids will actually enjoy doing.

“101 Great Staycations” easily conquers both of these inherent staycation challenges by providing over a 100 unique, fun and creative staycation ideas to help assist you in planning a fun and memorable staycation experience.

Each stayaction idea contains:

1) Background and Photo – a background synopsis of each idea accompanied by professionally photographed photos to help provide you with staycation inspiration

2) How to get started – this section provides detailed steps and instructions for each staycation so that you take the idea and run with it!

3) Additional activities – Within each staycation idea you’ll find an additional activities section that helps provide follow-up and ideas for variants on the main staycation.  If you take into account all these additional ideas, there are easily over 150 staycation ideas for you!

I also realize that staycations can occur in the summer, spring, winter and fall so I’ve grouped the staycation ideas into categories by season so you plan a staycation year round! We have staycation for summer, spring, fall and winter!

When you compare the cost of traditional travel versus a staycation, you’ll realize that taking a staycation can save you literally thousands of dollars IF you know how to properally plan and prepare.

This e-book which I’ve spent countless hours writing, proofing, editing and compiling can be yours today for only $12.95 but you must act TODAY because once summer is here I will be raising the price significantly due to higher demand.  This is a introductory price!

Purchase and download  a copy of “101 Great Staycations” today!