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Offering a great family vacation, this resort delivers anything you want for a relaxing stay, plus a semester's worth of learning opportunities from National Geographic's explorers kids program.

Fairmont Scottsdale Princess’ philosophy is ‘Have the vacation you want.’ Whether you’re a hands-on, hands held, always together, attached-at-the-hip type of parent or a more as-long-as-everyone’s-having-fun, I’ll-catch-up-with-you-at-dinner type, this place will give you that vacation.

Up until a few years ago, if you were familiar with the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess, Arizona, you certainly wouldn’t have associated it with a family vacation destination.  But thanks to a new focus on families and a partnership with National Geographic, it is that and so much more.

The Princess and the NatGeo Team

My family, especially my kids, love everything National Geographic:  the kid’s magazine, the adult magazine, the specials; and the channel is on everyone’s DVR list.  So, when I heard about National Geographic Explorer’s club at the Fairmont Scottsdale, I knew it was a must-do.  Even though my expectations were very high, they managed to exceed even my wildest dreams. 

Running for the summer of 2009, Tuesday through Sunday through Labor Day, the camp allows the campers to experience all the fun and excitement of a National Geographic adventure with a kid-friendly sensibility. And if it is successful this year (and how can they miss?) then it will become an annual fixture.

My daughter, Daelyn -- about to be 8 years old -- could not stop talking about the ‘Desert Discovery,’’ a mixture of a an archeological expedition and a treasure hunt.  Campers break off into teams, with a bag of ‘Special Tools’ -- my daughter's name for the GPS device, magnifying glasses, measuring tape and disappearing ink they used to help locate animal replicas around the resort. 

This is one of the four entertaining and educating programs that rotate daily, so that campers that attend more than one can discover something new each time.  The other activities include Photo Safaris, where campers can explore one of the things National Geographic is famous for, extraordinary photography. Additionally, there is Geo Bowl, a geography trivia game show, and Giant traveling maps. 

Celebrity Scientists Add Glamour to Discovery

But the real highlight is Special Speaker Saturdays.  Every other Saturday through Labor Day, world-renowned real life National Geographic explorers share their stories and adventures during two sessions throughout the day with the campers.  That night the whole family can join in the fun for a lively and entertaining dinner presentation. 

Our weekend we saw Dr. Brady Barr, host of ‘Deadly Encounters’ on Nat Geo, and a recognized herpetologist, which I learned from his lecture is a reptile expert.  In the morning session, the campers got to touch an 18-foot python and come face-to-taped-up-snout with an alligator. 

In the afternoon, the children got to experience the actual ‘Croc Suit’ Dr. Barr uses to tag crocodiles in the field, as well as try different methods for capturing a croc.  The dinner, which featured a child- and adult-pleasing selection of different foods, was delicious but the lecture and photos and videos presented by Dr. Barr were truly unforgettable and an amazing and unique experience. 

Upcoming presenters include Tornado Hunter Tim Samaras; NASA engineer Dr. Kobie Boykins; and primatologist Dr Mireya Mayor, to name a few. 

One of the ideas behind the camp was to inspire a new generation of nature lovers, conservationists, scientists and adventurers, and judging from the faces around the room that night they did just that.  Prices for the camp range from $49 for a half-day to $89 for a full day session on Special Speaker Saturdays, the special Saturday dinner is an additional fee.  There are also special rates for explorer’s camp and hotel suite packages, which can be found on the resort's website.