Fairmont Scottsdale Partners With National Geographic For New ’Explorers Camp’ For Kids This Summer

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Navigating with a GPS to discover desert creatures, going on a photo safari or, better yet, meeting real-life adventurers who have discovered new species and traveled to the ends of the Earth, the Fairmont Scottsdale is making this summer an adventure to remember. Continuing its commitment to responsible tourism — and to creating memorable vacations for the whole family — the AAA Five Diamond resort is partnering with National Geographic for the first National Geographic Explorers Camp, exclusively for overnight guests of Fairmont Scottsdale.

From May 22 to Sept. 7, 2009, the camp will be filled with fun, discovery-based activities for children ages 5-12, with added events for the entire family. Amping up the excitement, eight world-renowned National Geographic explorers will keynote camp events on special Saturdays throughout the summer, beginning May 30.

“We are proud to bring one of the world’s largest nonprofit, scientific and educational organizations, National Geographic, to Fairmont Scottsdale, offering enriching experiences for our visiting families and their children,” said Robert Foster, general manager of Fairmont Scottsdale. “This is an exciting addition to our relationship as a sponsor of National Geographic Live!, further promoting tourism and discovery together.”

Andy van Duym, director of National Geographic Live! and National Geographic’s Speakers Bureau, added, “Bringing National Geographic explorers and signature educational experiences into a camp for young people is a natural extension of our mission to inspire people to care about the planet. We’re excited to partner with the Fairmont Scottsdale, as part of National Geographic Mission Programs’ global partnership with Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, to bring this distinctive and educationally rich program to kids and families. With our ongoing National Geographic Live! speaker series at the Mesa Arts Center during fall and spring, and now the Explorers Camp at the Fairmont Scottsdale during the summer, National Geographic looks forward to having a year-round presence in the Valley of the Sun.”

Daily Camp Activities
The Explorers Camp will offer entertaining and educational programs, with half-day and full-day sessions, Tuesday through Sunday. Games and activities rotate daily, so campers may attend more than once and still discover something new each day:


* Desert Discovery — This treasure hunt equips kids with GPS devices to uncover clues hidden around the 80-acre resort. Campers collaborate while collecting clues, applying logic and using “sleuthing” tools (disappearing ink, magnifying glass, measuring tape, mirror and pedometer) to find hidden animal replicas camouflaged into the resort landscape. Along the way, they learn about the fascinating creatures that make the Sonoran Desert their home.

* Photo Safari — National Geographic, known for its captivating photography, will inspire youngsters to tell their stories through the lens. After campers are introduced to the basics of point-and-shoot digital photography, they will be sent on guided “assignments” around the diverse and visually stunning resort property. Each camper will be given a CD of their photographs to take home and share with their friends.

* Geo Bowl — Similar to the enormously popular National Geographic Bee, this contest incorporates geography trivia with lavish photography. From easy to very challenging, the questions are delivered in a lively game show fashion, encouraging kids of all ages to play along, help each other ... and learn.

* Giant Traveling Maps — Each month, one gigantic map will be on loan and on display at Fairmont Scottsdale. These colorful and highly detailed maps of Africa, Asia or North/Central America are the largest ever produced by National Geographic, measuring up to 31 feet wide and 41 feet long. Kids walk, run and roll around on the maps as they “travel” to far-off places.


Special National Geographic Speaker Saturdays
Eight dynamic National Geographic speakers, such as reptile expert and TV host Brady Barr, primatologist Mireya Mayor and NASA engineer Kobie Boykins, will share stories of their extraordinary adventures and educate youngsters about their fascinating careers. Each explorer will interact with kids during the Saturday day camp and then will give a lively, entertaining presentation during a special Saturday night dinner for the whole family. (Media: additional speaker information and photography are available.)


* Greg Marshall, Biologist/Inventor/FilmmakerMay 30
* Brady Barr, Reptile Expert/TV HostJune 13
* Zeb Hogan, Aquatic EcologistJune 27
* Tim Samaras, Severe Storm ResearcherJuly 11
* Joel Sartore, PhotographerAugust 1
* Mireya Mayor, Primatologist/TV HostAugust 8
* Kobie Boykins, NASA EngineerAugust 22
* Mark Moffett, EcologistSeptember 5


Summer Pricing Details
Summer room rates for the Fairmont Scottsdale begin at $199 per room, per night, with a $100 daily food and beverage credit, and kids stay in the same room as their parents for free, May 10 to Sept. 20, 2009.

The National Geographic Explorers Camp is priced a la carte and is available exclusively for overnight resort guests:


* $49 for a half-day session and $79 for a full-day session
* Half-day session may include lunch for an additional $12; full-day includes lunch
* During special National Geographic speaker weekends, half-day camp is $59 and full-day camp is $89
* Each additional child in the same immediate family receives a $10 discount per session
* Each camper is given a camp backpack filled with goodies
* For the special Saturday night explorer dinner presentation for the whole family, the dinner price is $30 per adult; $15 per child ages 6-12; and kids 5 and younger dine free
* Camp reservations are recommended 24 hours in advance


Additional Family Amenities at Fairmont Scottsdale
Year-Round Kids Club
Alongside the new National Geographic Explorers Camp, all of Fairmont Scottsdale’s family-friendly activities will also be available. The regular, year-round complimentary Kid’s Club, for kids ages 5-12, offers fun-filled activities designed just for kids, including new Nintendo Wii and XBOX game stations, board games galore, pinball, air hockey, basketball sport court, jungle gym, fishing, nature walks and even an occasional reptilian friend. There is a $12 fee for lunch and an afternoon snack if the child participates in the full-day program.

Sonoran Splash
Over at Sonoran Splash, families can spend all day at this 6,000-square-foot oasis, featuring two, 200-foot twisting water slides. For tots, there is a zero-entry deck area as well as a large sandbox complete with Tonka trucks and beach toys sure to keep little ones entertained for hours. Sonoran Splash is one of three pool areas that also offer luxurious poolside cabanas for rental.

Summer Dive-In Movies
Families can dive in, stay cool and enjoy a variety of family-friendly movies shown complimentary at the East Pool, Friday and Saturday nights, all summer long.

More for Kids, Just Ask!
To ensure families have the comforts of home, the Fairmont Scottsdale covers all of the bases with a variety of in-room amenities for children. Full-size cribs complete with bedding, high chairs, strollers, night lights, safety outlet covers, pack-n-play sets, humidifiers, baby monitors, baby shampoo, kid’s robes and step stools are available for resort guests upon request, complimentary.

Just for Teens
The ultra-swank Teen Hangout is designed for teens, ages 13-17, and features a private music room, a 42“ plasma TV complete with a selection of more than 100 DVDs, a Cyber Cafe, three XBOX stations and, of course, the all-important couches for just ”hanging out" Access is complimentary for all teen guests.

For reservations or more information on the Fairmont Scottsdale’s summer programs, please dial (800) 908-9370 or visit www.fairmont.com/scottsdale. The resort is located at 7575 East Princess Drive in Scottsdale, Ariz.


ABOUT FAIRMONT SCOTTSDALE:
Set against the backdrop of Arizona’s McDowell Mountains, AAA Five-Diamond Fairmont Scottsdale reflects its Southwestern setting with Spanish colonial-style architecture, expansive plazas and lush, flower-filled gardens. The resort features 649 oversized guest rooms with a private terrace or balcony, five heated swimming pools, the luxurious 44,000-square-foot Willow Stream-The Spa at Fairmont and championship golf at the adjacent TPC Scottsdale Stadium and Champions courses. Dining options include the AAA Four-Diamond BOURBON STEAK by acclaimed chef Michael Mina, The Grill Seafood and Chops, overlooking the 18th green at the TPC Scottsdale Stadium Course, and the new LV Bistro, featuring farm-fresh cuisine and menu emphasizing locally grown organic produce, natural meats and sustainable seafood.

The Fairmont Scottsdale is operated by Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, a leader in the global hospitality industry with an extraordinary collection of iconic, luxury hotels around the world. The Fairmont Scottsdale is owned by Strategic Hotels & Resorts, Inc., a real estate investment trust (REIT) that owns and provides value-enhancing asset management of high-end hotels and resorts in North America, Mexico and Europe.

ABOUT NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC:
The National Geographic Society is one of the world’s largest nonprofit scientific and educational organizations. Founded in 1888, the Society works to inspire people to care about the planet. It reaches more than 360 million people worldwide each month through its official journal, National Geographic, and other magazines; National Geographic Channel; television documentaries; music; radio; films; live events; books; DVDs; maps; exhibitions; school publishing programs; interactive media; and merchandise. National Geographic has funded more than 9,000 scientific research, conservation and exploration projects and supports an education program combating geographic illiteracy. For more information, visit nationalgeographic.com.