Bored? Try quirky summer camps

SYDNEY - Ever dream of being an astronaut, an elephant trainer, or a ghost hunter? For a day or even a week your dreams could come true with a growing number of camps catering for adults who want to try something different.

Travel Web site Travelandleisure.com, which is owned by American Express Publishing, has come up with a list of the top 10 quirkiest camps for adult.

"Camp isn't just for kids anymore. In a hectic world, it offers an oasis, with opportunities for learning in a fun environment," Peg L. Smith, chief executive officer of The American Camp Association, told the Web site.

Campers learn the ropes from their rock 'n roll idols including Joe Walsh, Slash, and Max Weinberg. Bring your own instruments or use those at that camp to write and rehearse a song with a celebrity musician/counselor. There are daily jam sessions and a finale Battle of the Bands performance with guest stars like Roger Daltrey and Brian Wilson.

Over this three-hour course, participants learn ancient gladiator combat techniques and history while wearing the traditional costume and brandishing authentic gladiator-era replica wooden and iron weapons. The instructors are representatives from the Gruppo Storico Romano, the organization dedicated to the study and reenactment of gladiator culture.

For this half-day to three-day adventure, participants work side-by-side with local mahouts, who are expert trainers in the 2,000-year-old Thai tradition of elephant care. A maximum of 30 guests interact directly with the rescued elephants while the mahouts teach you about the animals and their well-being.

The Diageo Chateau & Estate Wines Crush Camp allows wine lovers to get out in the vineyard with winemakers for three days to harvest, crush, and blend wine and be an integral part of the process from vine to table.

The three- to eight-day program simulates astronaut training and an actual shuttle mission in as realistic a setting as possible. You'll don real flight suits and work with NASA-developed training equipment, which demonstrates how your body feels during a launch or what it's like to walk on the moon.

Christopher Moon, licensed paranormal investigator and publisher of Haunted Times magazine, teaches the basics of ghost hunting over two nights at this hotel, set in a building that dates to 1742 and is said to be riddled with spirits. You're encouraged to bring your own camera to learn how to catch orbs or spirits on film and decipher them in photos.

Editor of Newsday's syndicated crossword puzzle and author of 125 books, Stan Newman teaches participants how to improve their crossword-solving skills, strengthen their vocabulary, and recognize the tricks over at least 10 hours of instruction.

The four- to five-day Brothers Safaris program allows guests to work beside Dr. Peter Brothers, a passionate South African veterinarian who specializes in wildlife species. You'll be involved with micro-chipping and ear-notching animals for research and conservation purposes and to help combat poaching.

For three hours, travelers can step into the shoes of a professional gondolier to learn the mechanics of rowing and maneuvering the vessel, the perfect stance to maintain balance, and the aesthetics of gondolier etiquette.

At the World Poker Tournament Boot Camp, poker lovers spend a fantasy weekend immersed in poker strategy with poker celebrities including T.J. Cloutier, Clonie Gowen, and Mike Sexton. Campers have lectures and interactive learning labs where each person sits with a professional player who critiques their play. -Reuters