ACTIVITIES
We are currently working on activities. Here is a sampling of what we have secured to date:
Adventure Challenge
Form a team with three others and race other teams across Camp Kern. Find stations hidden throughout camp that will challenge you mentally & physically and earn your team points for each activity that they complete. Bragging rights are awarded to the winners. This is a two-part class, so if interested please sign up for Part 1 and Part 2.
ARCHERY
Take an introductory lesson in archery! Join YMCA Camp Kern staff members at our archery range and test your skills at hitting targets.
BALLOON SCULPTING
Bob Rumba has been a professional entertainer for over 30 years. He has done balloon pre-shows for entertainers from Frank Sinatra to Jeff Dunham. Learn how to turn a one balloon dog into a three or four balloon dog. Bob is known as a high-end balloon master. If there is a special balloon you always wanted to learn just ask. Balloons are a great way to get to know people, and they always make friends and family smile.
BILLIARDS
LoreeJon is a five-time Player of the Year by Billiard's Digest and Pool and Billiard Magazine. LoreeJon holds more than 50 major titles including eight World Championships and three U.S. Open Championships and has appeared on many talk shows and in major magazines. She also is in the "Guiness Book of Records," for winning her first world championship at the age of 15 and is a member of the BCA and WPBA Hall of Fames.
Sessions will be divided into three levels: Beginner (for the novice player), Intermediate (for those who are comfortable with the game) and Trick Shots (for those who want to learn some entertaining shots). LoreeJon will also conduct a billiards exhibition that will showcase her extraordinary talents.
BOXING FITNESS
Hitting a boxing bag is harder than just throwing a punch. Learn techniques and tips on how to get a better workout. Hank Johnson has more than 20 years of experience in management and supervision in amateur and professional boxing. Aside from his own career,he has coached boxing in the Army at Fort Bragg, the Olympic Team in Seoul, South Korea, the Pan Am Games and the World games. Come prepared to break a sweat!
CANOEING
Take a three mile trip down the Little Miami River. This national scenic river provides great views of the Fort Ancient Gorge from its basin. Relax in your canoe or kayak and enjoy this leisurely float. You may even spot one of the bald eagles that have begun inhabiting the area.
CHEESE & WINE
Come taste some of the world's best cheeses with Max McCalman. Not only will you taste some of his favorite cheeses, you will also find out which wine he would pair with them.
Renowned as one of the cheese world's living legends for his expertise, insight and passion, Max McCalman is dedicated to helping others understand and enjoy the unique pleasures of artisanal cheeses. Max authored three books: "The Cheese Plate," which was nominated for awards by the James Beard Foundation and by the International Association of Cooking Professionals (IACP), "Cheese: A Connoisseur's Guide to the World's Best," an expansive reference on the world's finest cheeses and their wine pairings, which won a 2006 James Beard Award, and most recently, "Mastering Cheese: Lessons For Connoisseurship from a Maître Fromager," which won "Best in the World Book on Cheese" for 2011 from the esteemed Gourmand International World Cook Book Awards announced in Paris in March 2011.
Max has been awarded the exclusive title of Garde et Jure as designated by France's Guilde Internationale des Fromagers Comfrérie de Saint-Uguzon, and in January 2011 was given an award from Les Trophées de l'Espirit Alimentaire (French Food Spirit Awards) for Entrepreneurship for 2010. On Founders Day 2010, Hendrix College awarded its Odyssey Medal to Max for his personal and professional life achievements.
Max developed the widely lauded cheese program at Terrance Brennan's Picholine restaurant nearly two decades ago, and later established the critically acclaimed cheese programs at Brennan's Artisanal Fromagerie & Bistro and at APC, all in NYC.
COFFEE CUPPING
Many start their day with a hot cup of coffee, the cheapest luxury in many of our lives. But what is the difference between a great cup of Joe, and dirty brown water? Most folks don't know beans about coffee – because it isn't a bean at all, but a cherry. Come and learn the surprising tale of premium coffee and about those who grow and process it. Peter Beering, Principal of Mission Coffee, LLC (a company formed to support medical mission work in Northwest Panama) will conduct a coffee cupping, similar to wine tasting, that will explore the differences between premium coffees around the world. This session will also include proper grinding and brewing techniques to provide the best coffee in your cup.
FLY FISHING
Through hands-on fly fishing instruction provided by an expert from FlyMasters. Participants will be schooled in the magic of fly fishing. The professionals at FlyMasters have been fly fishing around the world for more than 30 years, including Africa, Asia, Europe and South America.
GOLF
Come learn from the best golf coaches in the game. As the undisputed leader in golf improvement, GolfTEC teaches 20% of all U.S. golf lessons annually and delivers a consistent 95% success rate. GolfTEC's Certified Personal Coaches have given millions of golf lessons to more than 200,000 clients. Whether you are a complete beginner or an accomplished golfer, GolfTEC's comprehensive approach to improvement can help you reach your personal goals. At GolfTEC we use the five factors that are needed for maximum improvement and lasting results.
- Fact-based Diagnosis – An objective analysis using video, motion measurement and a proprietary database of over 150 Tour players.
- Sequential Lessons – GolfTEC's Certified Personal Coaches give easily understood golf lessons that build repeatable skills and lasting results.
- Video-based Practice – Learning rates are dramatically accelerated with visual feedback that positively reinforces new swing habits.
- Advanced Retention Tools – GolfTEC's online Player Performance Center provides private 24/7 access to golf lesson history, past swing videos and practice drills that reinforce every improvement program.
- Precision-matched Clubs – GolfTEC's unbiased golf club fitting process filters through more than 1,000 clubs to find the ideal match to each player's swing.
The certified personal coaches from GolfTEC Blue Ash in Cincinnati will be ready to help you improve.
GOURMET COOKING – CHEF OLIVER
Join renowned chef and author, Jon Oliver, as he teaches, explains, and executes a multicourse dinner menu. There are always plenty of ways to assist and delicious things to taste during this unique culinary voyage. Chef Jon Oliver graduated with honors from the culinary school of Johnson Wales University in Charleston, South Carolina, in 2001. Working in many fine establishments and achieving an executive chef position in corporate America proved to be just stepping-stones on his quest to find his true calling. He always knew he had extreme passion for food, as well as a desire to play a significant role in the overall experience of those on the receiving end of his culinary artistry. His recent book, Beyond The Palate, is a testament to all of his hard work and his fortunate tutelage under some amazing chefs he has encountered along the way. He invites you to join him for a glimpse into his world ... a world Beyond The Palate. Mickey's Camp is proud that his book will be available this year and a portion of the proceeds will benefit the charity effort.
HEAVY MACHINERY
Remember playing with Tonka construction toys? Ever watched a construction site or watched guys use big machines on Discovery and wished you could? Here is your chance. Veteran campers Rich and BJ Kelso will train you to operate a machine! Feel the power of hydraulics in action while fulfilling your youthful dreams.
JUGGLING
Have you ever wanted to learn to juggle? You can use juggling to entertain or to relax. Often times after a long day at work – juggling is the thing that can calm you down. That's because when you're juggling you can't think of anything else. Juggling is great for the people who can't sit still for yoga or exercise to start your day. Bob Rumba is a professional juggler who has worked for the Illinois Juggling Institute teaching juggling in schools and for corporations.
LEAP OF FAITH
Imagine standing alone on a 12" by 6" platform that is isolated 45' in the air … will you be able to leap from that platform and grab the bar dangling 8' away from you? Well, stop imagining and make it a reality - join us for the Leap of Faith!
MAGIC
Learn the basics of magic and take home a few tricks to amaze your family and friends. Come learn from James Kesler, a professional magician, as he reveals his secrets.
MASSAGE
Whether you like sports, deep tissue or just a relaxation massage, our certified massage therapy staff will be on hand to soothe the sore muscles you may get during all of the fun activities available at Mickey's Camp. Never had a massage? This is the perfect opportunity to try one! All members of our professional staff are equipped to handle the first time client or the massage veteran. Treat yourself!
MIXOLOGY
Get the party STARTED… Learn to make "Shooters," those popular bar drinks with the wild and crazy names…Kamikaze, Orgasm, and Quaalude. You will also be making shooters with layers of color and taste. Everybody loves these "pretty" drinks. Sign up for Shooters 101, presented by a Midwest Bartenders School skilled mixologist and get hands on training that will make YOU the LIFE OF THE PARTY!
NATURE HIKE - HISTORY HIKE
Explore a pre-Columbian solstice marker, an early 18th century tavern, a 150 year old timber-framed barn, a depression era boy's camp, and a town lost to time on the Little Miami River. We will hike into the valley below Kern and explore the history and mysteries of the Fort Ancient Gorge.
NATURE HIKE - MORNING BIRD HIKE
Enjoy a relaxed ramble through forest, wetland, pond and pasture led by a Camp Kern naturalist. Visiting a variety of habitats we hope to spot many of the bird species that make camp their home.
PILATES
Pilates is a method of exercise designed to strengthen the whole body without strain or injury. The emphasis is on relaxed, rhythmic breathing while performing smooth, coordinated movements to lengthen and strengthen your muscles. This effective, no-impact workout is also friendly to your joints and is especially good for toning the stomach, hip, and thigh muscles.
Lorri Munafo is the group exercise and Pilates director at the Mayerson JCC in Cincinnati, Ohio. Lorri has more than 25 years of experience in dance and fitness and is certified by a number of organizations, including the American College of Sports Medicine, the American Council on Exercise, and Balanced Body Pilates. She is also the contributing exercise and fitness editor for The Activity Director's Companion, a trade magazine for those involved in activities planning for senior adults.
POKER
Sharpen your poker skills with two of poker's greatest instructors/ players. Linda Johnson began her career in poker as a professional poker player in 1980 and supported herself exclusively by playing poker from 1980-92. She was the second woman in history to win a gold bracelet at the World Series of Poker and has won more than 100 poker tournaments including the 2005 California State Ladies Poker Championship. Nicknamed the "First Lady of Poker," Linda's accomplishments in poker are extraordinary. She has co-written two poker books and has written a column for Card Player magazine for 16 years. Linda was the studio announcer for the World Poker Tour for its first six seasons. She was inducted in the Women Poker Hall of Fame in 2008.
Jan Fisher started her poker career in 1977 when she became a poker dealer. Having dealt in many of the cardrooms in Las Vegas, Fisher moved on to semiprofessional playing and poker management. She serves as a partner in Card Player Cruises along with Linda Johnson and Mark Tenner. Jan wrote the Poker 101 column for Card Player magazine for more than 10 years and currently writes for Poker Player Newspaper. She was inducted into the Women's Poker Hall of Fame in 2009.
Beginners can learn some basic rules of the game and a little bit of strategy, etiquette and terminology. The intermediate session is for those campers with basic poker knowledge and some playing experience. Campers will learn strategies such as the power of position at the poker table, betting and raising amounts, aggression, tournament tips, the mathematics of poker and bluffing hints. Come learn how you can have the edge in a poker game!
POKER TOURNAMENT
Join in the fun and participate in the Mickey's Camp Poker Tournament. Poker experts Jan Fisher and Linda Johnson will lead the tournament. Come try to win the coveted trophy and bragging rights for next year.
RADIO CONTROL AIRPLANES
Learn how to setup and fly radio control airplanes. The best instructors from our seven area clubs will be on hand to teach you the basics. Try out the hobby that's been around since WWII. Enjoy all the thrills of piloting a plane with your feet on the ground. The session will be concluded with a brief air show by high performance R/C aircraft.
SWIMMING – OPEN POOL
Not in the mood to take in an activity? Why not just hang out at the pool! We will have open swim times for some relaxation time in the sun.
TABATA TOUGH
Tabata is a workout that combines cardio and strength training to provide a total body workout that's both efficient and exciting. Each exercise is performed for 8 cycles of 20 seconds of work followed by 10 seconds of rest for a total of 4 minutes. Think you're tough? Let's see if you're Tabata tough!
TANGO TOWER
Standing 55' tall, the massive Double "X" Tango Tower is the only one of its kind in the world. Challenge yourself on our "Indiana Jones" activity as you swing across vines from one platform to the next and conquer your way to the top.
WINE TASTING
An introduction to understanding, selecting and enjoying wine
There is so much to know in the world of wine. You may enjoy wine but not understand the basics you need to select a good bottle for tonight's dinner. Sometimes it can be so confusing. Taking a back to basics approach, this session will attempt to demystify wine and help you understand its ability to truly enhance the dining experience. Through learning some of these basic concepts, you will be better equipped to face the confusion out there in the wine world. In addition there will be a discussion on matching food and wine, as well as how to approach a wine list in a restaurant and navigate a retailer.
Michael Brown has been the Portfolio Manager for Vintner Select since 2010, a fine wine importer and tri-state distributor, Michael has extensive knowledge that began while working at a local winery when he was finishing his degree in philosophy from Xavier University. He went on to work for a wine bar in Chicago before training as a chef, first at the noteworthy Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, NY, and later in Paris, at a few restaurants under top-rated chefs. He has worked in the wine business full time since 1991 and has traveled extensively through the wine areas of France, Italy, California, Oregon and Washington State.
ZIP LINE
Suit up and fly on zip lines breezing through and above the canopy of the Little Miami River valley. Our professionally trained Tour Guides will be with you at all times as you traverse 7 sky bridges and zip 7 lines, beginning at our 45 foot tall multi-level central zip tower. Ozone Zipline is designed as an educational canopy tour, so you'll also gain knowledge about subjects from 500 million year old fossils to current issues of water conservation and habitat loss while enjoying your unique vantage point above the treetops. This is a two-part class, so if interested please sign up for Part 1 and Part 2.
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