FIRST PERSON
Susie (far leſt) and Sallie (third right) found the four-day spa camp fantastic fun and filled with laughter
thinking that injecting a little creativity into my day might do me some good. Well, the beautiful blue and white speckled stones, silver pearls and sparkly beads became mesmerising. Before I knew it, a couple of hours had passed and I had created an attractive piece of jewellery. In fact, Joan’s mother-in-law liked it so much she asked if she could copy it! When Sallie and I leſt camp four days
later, we drove off feeling truly renewed. And although I haven’t tested my crea- tivity chakra post-camp, I do feel that my inner child was positively nudged at Camp Reveille.
UPON REFLECTION
Several months have now passed since my summer spa camp experience, giving me time to reflect on how it affected my life and what, specifically, is so different about spa camp, compared with other spa experiences. Tree things stand out: Firstly, camp was fun! I have been to
many spas and they have all been relaxing, restful, gorgeous and inspiring – but rarely fun. I have not laughed hysterically with a group at a spa for days on end, played volley- ball, told stories by the campfire and cheered for my relay team. Laughing and hearing laughter was truly refreshing! Secondly, the creativity element, in my case, the jewellery making, added a dimen-
sion that is on the rise, but still too rare at spas. While destination spas (in particular) are beginning to offer creative programming like drumming, journal writing, photogra- phy, cooking classes and gardening, other spas could put more emphasis on offerings that elicit people’s creative and emotional sides. For so many of us, especially the tech- connected and work-obsessed, they have unique therapeutic value.
“Spas could put more emphasis on creative programming like drumming, journal writing and photography as they have unique therapeutic value”
Tirdly, being immersed in nature had a
profound effect on me: the trees, grass, clear sky and the way the campfire danced against the backdrop of the dark lake, remain embla- zoned in my mind. While nature is a part of many spa experiences, it’s usually lim- ited to a hike, an occasional outdoor yoga class, or a view from a window. Lying in the grass, climbing a tree or sleeping under the stars are too rare experiences and they have a powerful effect on a person like me who resides in a concrete city.
52 Read Spa Business online
spabusiness.com / digital Were there any negatives? Well, the great-
est challenge came from something inherent in the camp group-lodging scenario. I shared a cabin with five other women, and the pos- itives were laughing, sharing life stories and bonding – but the downside is that we’re older adults and inevitably someone would have to use the bathroom in the middle of the night and a couple of my cabin-mates snored. Several of us couldn’t sleep, and while I don’t have a solution to this aspect of spa camp, it’s an issue, because sleep is such a crucial part of de-stress- ing and rejuvenation.
THE CAMP TREND
Camp Reveille was an extraordinary way to immerse myself in the intersection of spa and camp, and it’s a marriage of con- cepts that has come to my attention more widely recently. Luxury hybrids include:
the Four Seasons Tented Camp Golden Tri- angle in Tailand, with open-air spa salas blending into the bamboo forest; and Te Resort at Paws Up in Montana, which has an entire ‘spa town’ comprising individual treatment tents. And there are now many spa-focused camps for kids and teens. Will spa camps become a full-blown indus-
try trend? Te jury is out. Do I think more spa camp models – from luxury or family-fo- cused ones to weight-loss/fitness boot camps – will appear? Without a doubt. l
SPA BUSINESS 4 2010 ©Cybertrek 2010
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84