50 Plus Activities for Children & Teens!

We promised last month that following Chad’s list of 50 plus adult activities we would give you a sneak peek at Amie’s list of activities for the kids. We have combined all the activities for ages 2 ½ to 15 to create one big alphabetical list. You never know, there just might be a few surprise additions when you arrive!
Keep in mind that not all these activities are suitable for all age groups so schedules will vary depending on the age of your children.

• Archery
• Arts & Crafts
• Banana Boating
• Big Blue Slide
• Boat Floats
• Book Mobile
• Bowling
• Caching
• Campfire & S’mores
• Campout
• Capture the Flag
• Carnival Night
• Climbing Wall
• Cooking Projects
• Cookout
• Dinosaur exploration
• Drama with Dena
• Fishing with Nature Dave
• Freeze Tag
• Gardening with Claudia
• Gold Rush Treasure Hunt
• Gymnastics
• Hayrides
• Kick the Can
• Lake Trampoline
• Low Ropes Course
• Martial Arts with Dave (Nature Dave’s son)
• Mini Golf
• Mountain Biking
• Nature Explorations & Scavenger Hunts
• Newcome
• Passport Event
• Pirate Pontoon
• Pirate Treasure Hunt
• Pony Rides
• Pool Party
• Rocket Launching
• Science Activities
• Splash Pad
• Sprinkler Play
• Summit Express
• Trampoline
• Tubing
• Volcano and Sand Sculpture Build Off
• Wakeboarding
• Waterskiing
• Water table
• Worm Farming
• Zip Line

Early Spring Gardening & Your Shittake Mushrooms

Sowing Peas

Somewhere I’ve heard that there is a tradition of planting the first peas on St. Patrick’s Day. Usually I don’t get to take part in this tradition because of heavy snow covering and frigid arctic air blowing. This is the first year in Vermont that I was able to celebrate this custom, as sunny days and record-breaking temperatures just melted the winter away.

Before you start sowing you should always test to see if the soil can be worked yet. To do this form a ball with the soil in your hand and strike it with the heel of your other hand. If it doesn't crumble, conditions are likely too wet. If conditions are right you can sow other cool-season vegetables, too, such as spinach, kale, lettuce, radishes, carrots, as they function better in cooler temperatures, and can also withstand light frosts or fairly heavy freezes. Planting as early as possible is imperative for these vegetables, which falter when temperatures rise in June. When temperatures warm, cool season vegetables start to use more food than they manufacture, which is not conducive to high yield.

A little note about your Shiitake mushroom logs

I soaked the Shiitake logs in the lake for a couple of days. If you kept your log outside, now is the time to give it a good, cold soak, so the water has a chance to get right into the center of the log. Depending on the ambient temperature, mushrooms will start to form in 1-2 weeks after watering.

Hopefully the weather will continue to stay mild here in Vermont, as there is a lot more gardening and landscaping to be done before welcoming the first of our guests on May 25^th!

“Just living is not enough... one must have sunshine, freedom, and a little flower.” ~Hans Christian Andersen

Happy Gardening,

Claudia

Which Staff Members are returning for the 2012 Summer Season?

Our last newsletter's A-Z list of 2012 new projects and purchases gave one view of how the TP gets refreshed and revitalized each year. Here's another way. Actually 180-200 ways when the college staff (joined by some older high school students) arrive to put wind in the sails of the new season. For virtually every one of the TP's 79 years, the staff -- both year-round and summer -- have been at the very heart of what makes the Tyler Place special. This year over 100 staff are returning, so we asked Tasney (who finds and hires this extraordinary group of young people) for her list.

Tasney Tyler Otis' List of Returning Staff (so far!)

Counselors Marjan B. Elizabeth C. Stephanie C. Emma D. O'Keefe F. Abby F. Peter G. Madelaine G. Meghan G. David H. Andrew J. Michele K. Emiley L. Jennifer L. Samantha M. Maggie M. Isaac M. Amy M. Anna O. Gabrielle R. Trevor R. Connor R. Nelson R. William T. Devon W. Michelle W. Housekeeping Gabrielle B. Alexandra D. Lori F. Melissa G. Tanya G. Diane K. Alison L. Tsvetelina L. Oglor M. Madeline M. Patricia M. Bar Hector H. James H.

Dining Room Eric B. Juan Carlos B. Ashleigh B. Elizabeth E. Sarah K. Conor L. Michael L. Erin M. Jeffrey N. Carlos Lobo Q. Adam V. Kateryna Z. Boatdock Joseph B. Joel C. Dimetry C. Casey G. Tyler O. Mason O. Quintin T. Cody P. Pool Alexandra B. Alexander L. Jonah P. Caitlin P. Front Desk & Office John A. Michelle C. Gige G. Karen G. Lori G. Rose H. Kathleen L. Sally L. Micki O. Amie R. Amanda T. Tasney T. Cathy T. Ann W.

Kitchen Szabolcs B. Matthew B. David C. Kristal G. John H. Ian H. Emma K. Michal K. Luis M. Jessica P. Maria P. Juan Carlos L. Jeff T. Kids' Meal Servers Guinaz A. Keri-Ann B. Elizabeth D. Kassia G. Mindy G. Elizabeth H. Entertaiment Charlottte C. Zoran F. Hannah H. Lachlan T. Chad T. Maintenance Dale C. Andrew C. Claudia M. Gil M. Jeremy M. Pierre R. Chris R. Geoff T. Dennis V. Dave V. Dave V. JR. John V. Tony W.

Guest Blog: "The Tyler Place Family Resort"

By Abbey Kochman, Age 10

Are you looking for an amazing vacation? One where you will make friends? A resort where you can relax, go on adventures, and a place the whole family can enjoy? If you answered yes to any of these questions then The Tyler Place is the resort for you! Some might say that Hawaii or New York is better, but they are sadly mistaken. The Tyler Place’s location is perfect! The activities are fit for a King and the food, that I can’t even describe! Your dream vacation, The Tyler Place!

Immediately when you get to The Tyler Place, you notice the location. It’s in Vermont. Imagine the melting hot sun in the summer. You’re fanning yourself, sweat dripping down your face – drip, drip. Not anymore! This summer resort, in Vermont, is just the right temperature. There are multiple choices of where you can stay. You could stay at a cottage that for a week will belong to you and your family only. There is a kitchen (though you won’t be doing any cooking), a family room, and a queen bed and two bunk beds. Or, you can stay at the Inn, an enormous “hotel” that has two bunk beds, a bathroom, and a queen bed. There is also a porch. It doesn’t really matter where you are staying because you won’t be in your room often! The Tyler Place “owns” some of Lake Champlain so you can hang out there. The lake has multiple fun games that I will tell you about later.

Next, I will tell you about the activities. The things you can play on the lake are the best! You can banana boat, paddle board to Pirate Island (it’s a really small island), go on the death slide, tube, jump on the water trampolines, canoe, and just swim. The water trampolines are blue and yellow, connected by a one foot wide long yellow thingy. The death slide is an extremely tall slide that is cut in half so you’re flying in the air for two seconds of sheer terror! One time I actually paddle boarded to Pirate Island with my friend. We nearly climbed to the top when we were informed that we had to go back to the dock. There are also other fun activities we can do at camp time and family time, which is three hours. We can go to the pool, watch a movie, play in the forest, do an obstacle course, watch a contraption collect maple from a maple tree, and go to the swamps. On the last day of camp we plan an enormous game of capture the flag. It’s so fun! During family time you can go horseback riding, play miniature golf, and so much more! While the kids are at camp the adults have fun activities too, like wine tasting, karaoke, and canoeing. That’s only the beginning!

Now, it’s time to talk about the professional cooked, mouth watering food - breakfast, lunch, dinner, and dessert. For breakfast, you can have pancakes, scrambled eggs, fruit, hash browns, sausage, bacon, and so much more! It’s like an unlimited buffet every meal! As for lunch, well you never know what you’re gonna get. Same with dinner. I know there is always salad, I’ve had grilled cheese, a normal sandwich, anything really. As for dinner, I’ve had sizzling steak, burgers, burritos, and so much more!! For dessert, I have had cake, cookies cupcakes, ice cream, brownies, and who knows what else!

As you can see, The Tyler Place is the most amazing vacation ever! The location is perfect, not too hot, not too cold! The activities are phenomenal! You can see Canada from Pirate Island! Finally, the food – are you hungry? Come and get it!!! The Tyler Place is clearly a dream come true! It’s the hot spot of the century!

Chad Tyler's List of 50 Plus

Several weeks ago a free-lance writer asked us: "Could you name a couple of the adult morning and evening activities?" A couple! Where to start?! Not even counting all the sports and activities adults enjoy on their own (sailing, wakeboarding, tennis, biking, etc., etc.) Chad's list includes more than 50 instructor and staff led activities. The list below appears less than 50 because many of the bike and canoe trips, yoga and water aerobics classes, tennis tournaments, and other activities are offered multiple times or at different skill levels during the week. Still, this gives something of the breadth of activities included at the TP.

List of Special Activities for Adults:

Welcome Cocktail Party
Jazz Pianist
Nei Kung
Fly Casting
Tennis Tournaments
Climbing Wall
Walking Tours
Aqua Aerobics
Bonfire Night
Yoga Classes
Skeet Shooting
Pottery Workshop
Shitake Farm
Canoe Trips
Road Bike Trips – Beginner to Advanced
Karaoke
Golf
Mountain Hike and Swim
Dance Exercise Classes
Art Classes
Archery (High Tech)
Jazz Night
Low Ropes Course
Tennis Lessons
Organic Farm Tour
Gardening
Kayak Trips
Local Bike Trips
Cooking with Chef Dennis
Staff v. Guests Softball
70’s and 80’s DJ Dance Party
Mountain Biking
Hobie Cat Regatta
Fine Crafts

Beat the February Blues with Wild Foods

February is always a mixed bag weather wise, and we still have some crispy days ahead of us. Our livers may be suffering from over indulgence and due to short days our brains will be experiencing a shortage of serotonin – a neurotransmitter substance that helps us to cope and to concentrate, and prevents depression. Our bodies may also be lacking in the antioxidant vitamins D (low sunlight), and C (from a lack of fresh leafy greens). Don’t be surprised if you are feeling flat and sluggish!

Scientific studies have shown that contact with nature promotes a state of calm, can lower one's blood pressure and also relieves stress. Why not gather some vitamin rich foods at the same time as soaking up much needed natural light, and beat the blues the natural way!

Pine Needle Tea

Pine is rich in vitamin C and contains aromatic oily substances that help to chase away winter infections. Simply place a good handful of lightly crushed needles in a teapot and pour on boiling water. The flavor is very mild (do not drink it with milk). The tea can be made to taste stronger by a little simmering, but be aware that the more you simmer, the less vitamin C there will be.

Pine Vinegar

The needles make a delicious vinegar. Bring some white wine or cider vinegar to the boil, turn off the heat, and at room temperature seal it into a bottle crammed full with pine needles. Let this steep for 3 months in a dark place and enjoy later on your first spring salads!

NOTE: For both of these recipes be sure to use only pine needles, not those from other types of evergreens such as fir, cypress or even yew, as some of these are very toxic. I hope you enjoy the pine's subtle flavor.

Counting the days to spring….,

Claudia

One Thousand and One Questionnaires

Okay, 917 is more accurate, but nearly every one of the 1,000 plus families who visit the Tyler Place each summer patiently fill out our two-page questionnaire at the end of their stay. So....what is the fate of your questionnaire? Ted's kindling pile for long winter nights? Chad's secret bonfire tinder? A file box in Mrs. T's attic?

Absolutely not! The questionnaires  are undoubtedly the engine gears that propel the Tyler Place from being a 78-year-"old" resort to an annually refreshed, renewed and cutting edge-family resort welcoming guests from all over the country-and beyond.

As guests are making their last good-byes on Saturday morning, Dayle Palmer is already at work painstakingly transcribing every written suggestion and comment on each questionnaire so it can be ready for review by each Department Head at the upcoming week's staff meeting.   Some items can be addressed right off. Others are broken into "to do" lists including Maintenance Projects and New Improvements/Purchases for the following year.  Once every couple of weeks family and key staff sit around Ted and Cathy’s dining room table and prioritize the lists—with some of the work starting before the season is over.

The questionnaire’s format has changed many times over the past 78 years, but they have always been a feature of the TP since Tasney, Chad,  Geof, Quint, Hector and Gige's grandparents’ E.J. and “Mrs. T” combed through them over pre-dinner martinis.  What is striking is how serious and positive guests are in offering their ideas and suggestions.   Of course there are negatives, but nearly always they are presented in a positive, helpful way that we can frequently address—and when they are not, it’s almost always a case of mismatched expectations that the TP could never meet in the first place.

As most of you know, the Tyler Place may have one of the shortest seasons of any resort—just 15 weeks.  This gives us and our guests the unique advantage of having 37 weeks to refurbish and take on big projects—as well as sprucing up in the aftermath of some 2500 active children and teens! 

Thus, as we throttle up for the 2012 Season, this is a great time to thank you and all our guests of five generations for your individual and collective part in helping the Tyler Place keep fresh and new without losing the nostalgic spirit of another era.