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It may not be an Olympic winter, but sports enthusiasts can still try their hands at Olympic sports through fantasy camps. Here are four open to the public.
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Luge
Lie on your back and whiz down the icy track with the coaching of Olympic and World Cup medal winners at this Lake Placid, NY fantasy camp. The experience will cost you $2,000 (some is tax-deductible!), but that includes two to three days on the ice with instruction, video reviews of your slides, lodging at the U.S. Olympic Training Center, a one year membership in the United States Luge Association, and a closing banquet attended by U.S. National Luge team members. The 2015 dates haven’t been announced, but the 2014 camp was in April.
Ice Hockey
In this five day Mario Lemieux Fantasy Hockey Camp, you’ll play five games and have training sessions on the same ice the Pittsburgh Penguins use. Off ice, you’ll watch two Penguins games in a luxury suite, with plenty of time for autograph sessions, evening entertainment and commemorative photos. Though the January 12-16 2015 camp is sold out, you can get on the waiting list and find out about future dates. Proceeds from the $9,800 fee go to the Lemieux Foundation, which supports cancer and autism research.
Figure skating
If you’ve dreamed of gliding on the ice with great choreography and music, and adoring fans cheering (plus you know how to skate), it’s time to sign up for adult figure skating camp. The U.S. Figure Skating Association holds various adult skating camps and clinics. But if it’s stars you want, check out Dorothy Hamill’s Figure Skating Adult Camp. Dates for 2015 haven’t been announced, but her 2014 camp was in October. For $4,500, you’ll get ice time and instruction from Monday through Friday, ending with a spectacular group performance.
Curling
If you’re not such a good skater and you’re scared of heights and speed, try curling. Grab a broom and tie on some specialized shoes and head to the ice at Hot Shots Curling Camp in Oakville, Ontario, Canada (camps are sometimes held in the U.S. too). The camp runs August 28-30, 2015, and you’ll get to meet curling legends that you’ll recognize - if you follow the sport. For $799, you’ll learn about angles, rock release and rotation, timing the stone, team communication, effective brushing techniques and the line of delivery (and get lodging too).
Deborah Abrams Kaplan writes adventure and family travel for the New York Daily News, Los Angeles Times, Miami Herald, Shape, Family Fun, Continental and Bankrate.com. She’s skied for free at Keystone Resort in Colorado, and reviewed that resort along with Smuggler’s Notch and Shawnee at JerseyKids.net. You can find JerseyKids at Twitter @JerseyKids or Facebook.
