National Geographic Explorers Camps Scottsdale Fairmont Resort

CLIENT: FAIRMONT-SCOTTSDALE RESORT

PROJECT: NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC EXPLORERS CAMP

MAY & JUNE 2009 - SCOTTSDALE, AZ

PHOTOGRAPHS BY ADRIENNE HELITZER

ALL IMAGES COPYRIGHT ADRIENNE HELITZER/2009©

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PROJECT DESCRIPTION:

Documentation of two National Geographic Explorer Camp weekends at the Scottsdale Fairmont Resort in Scottsdale, AZ. This pilot program, kicking off in late May, 2009 and lasting through early September, brings a different National Georgraphic explorer to the resort each weekend where they lead a camp offering childen ages 5-12 the opportunity to spend a weekend experiencing GPS-based treasure hunting, photo safaris, animal interactions, and one-on-one field training from a real National Geographic explorer. Through photography by Adrienne Helitzer and editing/transmitting by Tammy Lechner, the STILL Productions team documented camps led by marine biologist Greg Marshall and reptile specialist Brady Barr. Images were transmitted on deadline to the Associated Press, local media (including the Arizona Republic) and travel industry publications, (including AAA Magazine.) Along with achieving the goal of immediate media publicity for the Explorer Camp program, the images will be used by both the Fairmont Resorts and the National Geographic in brochures and web presentations to promote the Explorer Camp program for the future.

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Marine biologist Greg Marshall leads the summer's first National Geographic Explorer's Camp at the Fairmont-Scottsdale Resort in Scottsdale, AZ on Saturday, May 30, 2009. Here, campers gather around Marshall as he demonstrates his "crittercam" device - a camera that is attached to sea animals to film their activities and behaviors. Marshall is one of eight National Geographic speakers scheduled to appear during the Explorer's Camp program offered exclusively at the Scottsdale-Fairmont Resort during the summer of 2009 (Photograph by Adrienne Helitzer/©2009)

Marine biologist Greg Marshall demonstrates the "crittercam" camera to children participating in the National Geographic Explorer's Camp program at the Fairmont-Scottsdale resort. (Photograph by Adrienne Helitzer/©2009)

Marine biologist Greg Marshall attaches the "crittercam" camera to a camper's back to allow the boy a chance to swim about in the pool with the device - similar to the way a sea animal would behave with the camera in tow. The device records behaviors and environments of sea animals that would otherwise be unobservable to humans. (Photograph by Adrienne Helitzer/©2009)

Marine biologist Greg Marshall guides a camper wearing the "crittercam" device through the water to simulate the way a sea animal would behave with the camera attached to it's body. (Photograph by Adrienne Helitzer/©2009)

Marine biologist Greg Marshall shows campers a map detailing clues to follow along the route of their GPS-based treasure hunt through the grounds of the Scottsdale Fairmont Resort. (Photograph by Adrienne Helitzer/©2009)

Campers take turns learning how to use a GPS device to uncover clues during a treasure hunt guided by National Geographic explorer and marine biologist Greg Marshall. (Photograph by Adrienne Helitzer/©2009)

Campers discover one of the hidden "treasures" along the path of their GPS-based hunt -- a "stuffed" ring-tailed cat hidden in the branches of a tree on the grounds of the Scottsdale Fairmont. (Photograph by Adrienne Helitzer/©2009)