Staycation Ideas

Archive for November, 2009

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.
   

You weren’t just buying a place to live when you purchased your house. You were buying your part of the American dream. It’s where you would make your home, raise your family and write your history. But how much do you know about your own home?  When was it built? What has it survived? Who has it comforted? Maybe its time to learn a little more about this place you call home.

How to Make it Happen

Start with the basics. Contact your county assessor’s office for information on when your home was built, who the previous owners were, and if/when there have been any additions to the original building. These records are often online. If online records do not go back far enough to identify the original owners, pay a visit to the assessor’s office for historical records.

If you live in an older home or neighborhood, you might be able to find information at a local historical society. Consult old newspapers or county records to provide cultural context for your home throughout its history. If you can identify the original owners, try to research how they came to your town, how they were employed, and what happened in their lives. Again, local historical or genealogical societies may be able to help with this research.

If you live in a newer house you have the honor of starting its history. Our homes acquire personality through our memories and shared experience. So write down the important events of your history in the house––the milestones and accomplishments your family shares in this home. Take before and after pictures when you renovate or redecorate a room. Save clippings of important local events or natural disasters that your house witnesses or even survives. Some day you can pass these memories on to your grown children, or leave it as a gift to the next homeowners.

Additional Activities

1. Research an historic site. (Idea #51)
2. Join a local historical or genealogical society.

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.

Be a science geek for a day and visit a nearby, accredited Science Center. These learning centers often feature touring exhibits on subjects like dinosaurs and robotics. In addition to featured exhibits are displays on everything from biology to mechanics to space. Many are often connected with planetariums. So take a day to learn about your earth, its inhabitants, and the universe around it.

How to Make it Happen

Visit www.astc.org/sciencecenters/find_scicenter.htm for a list of accredited science centers. Pick one near you and visit its website for hours of operation, special exhibits and admission prices. Many science centers feature planetariums and IMAX theaters, which will likely cost extra, but are worth the price. If you live nearby, consider buying an annual membership for yearlong admission and other perks.

Additional Activities

1. Buy a chemistry kit or science set for your kids and do experiments with them.
2. View stars in your night sky.

Aspen Daily News Resorts optimistic, but setting sights low Aspen Daily News I wouldn't say the era of the ' staycation ' is over, but people are willing to travel a little more.” In hopes of luring price-conscious visitors, … and more

Hambleton enjoys ' staycation ' boost nebusiness.co.uk THE rise of the ' staycation ' has helped a caravan storage firm triple its capacity by finally acquiring the land it has been chasing for six years. …

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Hambleton enjoys ’staycation’ boost – nebusiness.co.uk

' Staycation ' leads to holiday in a picturesque country hotel gethampshire.co.uk … to enjoy a good nights sleep.

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‘Staycation’ leads to holiday in a picturesque country hotel – gethampshire.co.uk

Staycation Specials: Cruise San Francisco Bay for $5 San Jose Mercury News Owner Maggie McDonogh is offering the “Captain Maggie Special” on the Tiburon-Angel Island ferry through April. ..

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Staycation Specials: Cruise San Francisco Bay for $5 – San Jose Mercury News

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