When Atlanta attorney Jason Bernstein was staring down the barrel of his 50th birthday, all he wanted was to go to camp.
No, he wasn’t seeking to fulfill some childhood dream of tying knots and creating fire. He just likes good food.
The seed of his dream was planted as he and his wife dined at the Wine Spectator Greystone Restaurant in Napa Valley, run by the Culinary Institute of America (the foodies CIA).
“As we were enjoying this terrific meal, someone mentioned that CIA offered cooking boot camps,” Bernstein recalled. “It sounded like an ideal way to celebrate my birthday since it combined my love of two things: cooking and working hard along with my need for recharging my mental batteries away from the normal pressures of being a lawyer.”
The boot camps, offered in two-, three-, four- and five-day increments, are held all throughout the year at three different CIA locations: Hyde Park, N.Y., San Antonio and Helena, Calif. Courses range from basic skills refreshers to intensive themed classes such as pastry-making, bistro cooking or focusing on a region such as Mexico or Asian cuisine.
Bernstein said that the course truly lived up to the boot camp moniker and that campers were expected in the kitchen dressed and ready by 7 a.m. But his CIA chef/instructor found ways to make the hard work fun. He found that the most rewarding aspect of boot camp was getting a solid base in cooking techniques.
“I’ve unquestionably improved all my cooking skills as a result of the experience and I use them frequently,” he said. “These days, my specialty is creating new dinners that my wife and sons will eat. I do it from a dead start when I walk in the door after work. Occasionally, I sneak in some new flavors.”
Bernstein is eager to hit the cutting boards again, perhaps with his three teenagers.
“They see how much I enjoyed it and now they want to join,” he explained. “It was such a rewarding experience.”
Fees are $895 to $2,195. That price includes: a full chef's uniform consisting of a jacket, pants, neckerchief, hat and apron; everything you need in the kitchen and at least two meals a day. It doesn’t include accommodations. Find full details at www.ciachef.edu/enthusiasts or call 800-888-7850.
For those about to rock
To Vaughan Merlyn of Roswell, getting in the kitchen and cooking is a whole other animal. Merlyn, 65 and a “semi-retired" management consultant, was looking for a break from the “rigors of consulting” when he saw a segment on Rock-n-Roll Fantasy Camp on the in-flight version of the TV show "Fine Living" while traveling.
“As soon as I got off the plane, I looked up the camp [online] and booked to go to the February 2005 camp,” said Merlyn.
The camps allow rock fans a chance to collaborate with world-famous musicians, compose and record an original song and then perform live on stage in front of family and friends. Merlyn had such an incredible experience that he’s been back seven times.
This year’s lead counselor is the legendary Kiss frontman Gene Simmons with Zakk Wylde (Ozzy Osbourne, Black Label Society), Vince Neil (Motley Crue) and Sebastian Bach (Skid Row) also scheduled to attend.
Campers may choose the three-day rock star package ($6,999) or the five-day headliner experience ($8,999). That covers hotel accommodations, breakfast and lunch, classes and jam session, opening night dinner and cocktail party as well as a DVD copy of the final concert performance which will take place at the MGM Grand.
Call 888-762-2263 or visit www.rockcamp.com for further details.
Jazz band camp
Local musician Christopher "Brillo" Karow has played bass with many bands such as Alastor and Wild West Picture Show. He also teaches upright and electric bass, a little ukulele and a class called “found sounds” at Eclectic Music in Virginia-Highland. When he heard about Jazz Camp in Vermont, he jumped at the chance to go.
“The camp was phenomenal,” said Karow. “The resort was so beautiful with these incredible walking trails.”
The Jazz Vermont program is appropriate for the intermediate and intermediate/advanced player. Players are expected to sight read the Glen Miller, Count Basie, Stan Kenton and other contemporary charts.This year's camp takes place Aug. 12-17 at the Mount Snow Grand Summit Resort in West Dover, Vt. But that’s not the only reason to go, said Karow.
“It was such a great experience and I encourage others to go as well,” he said. “All of the other musicians really helped each other out and it’s tremendously rewarding.”
The five-day itinerary includes a wine and cheese jam session, rehearsals, a cocktail party, more rehearsals and then a final concert.
“What’s especially great is that we took all these musicians from all over and made music together. I’d go again in a heartbeat,” he said.
Tuition starts at $999, which includes lodging and breakfast and dinner. Significant others are welcome and pay a non-participant fee of $799. They are invited to participate in all the activities the resort has to offer, such as yoga, swimming, hiking, the cocktail parties and of course, the final concert.
Call 800-242-8785 or click www.jazzcamp.com for more information.
Paging Major Tom
Those seeking adventure in another dimension should consider Adult Space Camp in Huntsville, Ala. Celebrating its 30th year, the weekend program includes live astronaut training in a simulator, model rocket construction and launch (weather permitting) as well as space flight history education at one of the world’s largest space museums. The camp usually fills up quickly but spots are still available for August and September. On-site lodging and meals are included in the $549 tuition. Call 800-63-SPACE or visit www.spacecamp.com/adult to register.
Fatpacking
Steve Silberberg designed his Fatpacking program as an alternative to adult fat camp in March 2005. It was so popular that many other tours were created as the number of campers increased.
“While fitness and weight loss are ostensibly the goals our participants have, many people find that they really love the outdoors, the independence,” Silberberg said. “Everything you need to survive and thrive for a week is carried on your back.”
This year’s Appalachian Trail Thru-Hiking Primer Fatpacking Trip takes place Oct. 20-27.
The hike begins in Amicalola Falls State Park in North Geogia, ascends Springer Mountain, continues on to Sassafrasss Mountain, Gooch Gap and Blood Mountain before ending in Neels Gap. Other trips take place in Yosemite National Park, Crater Lake National Park and Redwood National Park.
For the Appalachian Trail hike, a $1,025 charge covers two nights lodging, six days of trail meals, ground transportation and all permits and fees. For more information, call 781-773-1115 or click www.fatpacking.com.
About the Author
