WSLN 2010 - UTAH

Last Call for Registrations!

2010-06-14T10:20:00.003-06:00

Please take a look at the following memo regarding a final extension on our registration deadline.

R&R Option - Thanksgiving Point

2010-06-03T08:25:00.003-06:00

One final R&R option will be to explore the offerings at Thanksgiving Point, the location of WSLN 2010.

"In a world that is frenetic, over-programmed and increasingly disconnected, Thanksgiving Point offers a respite from the demands and stress of daily living. With quality at the core of what we do, we contribute to the lives of individuals, families and communities by offering experiences that change lives through The Promise of Discovery.
Thanksgiving Point Gardens, the Children’s Discovery Garden, Farm Country, and the Museum of Ancient Life, and the Emporium and restaurants offer stimulating and engaging experiences in a safe, family-friendly setting. They foster learning, bring families closer together and provide beautiful gathering places for groups of all kinds, giving them opportunities to share their cultural heritage and common bonds."

R&R Option - Olympic Park/Park City

2010-06-03T08:06:00.003-06:00

Admission to this R&R includes a group guided tour of Utah's Olympic Park.

Designed and built as part of Utah's Olympic Bid, "during the 2002 Olympic Winter Games, the venue welcomed more than 300,000 visitors during 16 days of competition. The Utah Olympic Park was the site of 14 events with three in ski jumping, three in Nordic combined, three in bobsled, three in luge and two in skeleton. This acclaimed facility, recognized for the fastest sliding track and highest-elevated jumps in the world, has hosted multiple World Cup events in ski jumping, Nordic combined, bobsled, skeleton and luge in preparation for the 2002 Games. As well as hosting future World Cups, the Park has already been selected as the site of the 2005 World Luge Championships." This facility also houses the Alf Engen Ski Museum and the 2002 Eccles Olympic Museum.

Rides will not be included in the price of the R&R; however, are available. Please see http://www.olyparks.com/uop/rides.asp for more information.

In addition to the olympic park, there will also be time to explore Park City, Utah.

"Park City is a unique blend of the old and new. Sixty-four of Park City’s buildings are listed on the National Register of Historic Places, many of which are located along the town’s Main Street."
"Additionally the city is the main location of the United States' largest independent film festival, the Sundance Film Festival, home of the United States Ski Team, training centre for members of the Australian Freestyle Ski Team, the largest collection of factory outlet stores in northern Utah, the 2002 Olympic bobsled/skeleton/luge track at the Utah Olympic Park, and golf courses. Outdoor-oriented businesses such as backcountry.com and Rossignol USA have their headquarters in Park City. The city has many upscale luxury retailers, clubs, bars, and restaurants, and has nearby reservoirs, hot springs, forests, and hiking and biking trails. Park City is also the original home of the Mrs. Fields Cookies chain."

R&R Option - This is the Place/Hogle Zoo

2010-06-03T07:46:00.008-06:00

An additional R&R option includes admission into This is the Place Heritage Park and Utah's Hogle Zoo.

"Step back in time with a visit to This Is The Place Heritage Park. Utah's premier living history attraction, come and explore our rugged, fascinating past! ...You’ll find [the park] alive in storied accounts of the settlement of the West, told by our knowledgeable interpreters in a setting of original and replica historic homes. A visit to the Park is not a tour of historic artifacts behind velvet ropes and glass, but a true experience of life as it was in the early days of the West."

"Utah's Hogle Zoo is a Utah treasure. Located at the mouth of Emigration Canyon since 1931, the Zoo is one of the top visited attractions in the state of Utah and the number one paid tourist attraction in Salt Lake City. Spread out over 42 acres, it’s natural hillside terrain and meandering tree-covered pathways enhance the visitor experience as you discover the wonders of the natural world."

R&R Option- Downtown Salt Lake

2010-06-03T07:36:00.006-06:00

Another option for R&R will be spending time in downtown Salt Lake City.

This option will give you time to check out historical sites, shopping, and more. It also includes a ticket to the Utah Arts Festival, recently ranked 39th of the top 100 festivals by Art Festival Source Book.

"In 2010, the Festival will open its gates for the 34th time. What started out as the Salt Lake Festival of the Arts for three days in June of 1976 featuring 55 visual artists, 43 performing arts groups and 8 food artists on a three block section of Main Street has blossomed into a 4 day event, featuring 130+ visual artists, 100+ performing arts groups, 18+ culinary artists and drawing 80,000 patrons each June to Library and Washington Squares.
The Utah Arts Festival is the largest outdoor multi-disciplinary arts event in Utah. Having garnered numerous awards internationally, nationally and locally, the event remains one of the premiere events that kicks off the summer in Utah each June."

R&R Option - Mt. Timpanogos Cave

2010-06-02T06:56:00.004-06:00

One option for R&R during WSLN 2010 will be a hike to the spectacular Mt. Timpanogos Cave.

Information on the cave can be found at www.nps.gov/tica.

Here are a couple of notes on this option:

WARNING: "To reach the caves, visitors must hick the 1.5 mile cave trail. This paved trail rises 1,092 feet and is considered a strenuous hike. Anyone with heart or breathing problems should not attempt the hike."

"Timpanogos Cave National Monument sits high in the Wasatch Mountains. The cave system consists of three spectacularly decorated caverns. Helictites and anthodites are just a few of the many dazzling formations to be found in the many chambers. As visitors climb to the cave entrance, on a hike gaining over 1,000 ft in elevation, they are offered incredible views of American Fork Canyon"

Keynote Speaker: Kevin Giddins

2010-05-27T10:14:00.004-06:00

Here is some information on our exciting keynote speaker, Kevin Giddins. To view a larger version, click on the documents.

Videos

2010-04-04T21:40:00.000-06:00

Here are some videos highlighting the state of Utah and the great location of Thanksgiving Point.

Utah Tourism Video - Part 1

Utah Tourism Video - Part 2

Thanksgiving Point Video

Check them out - Just click on one of the links above, and it should take you to the video. These will also be sent out via email in the next month or so.

Upcoming Emails

2010-03-13T22:02:00.000-07:00

For all of you Western AEYC leaders, watch your email for some upcoming information on a few WSLN items. We will be sending you a copy of the welcome letter, the chance for a scholarship, and the finalized registration form. The goal is to have them out within the next week. As always, you can email wsln2010@gmail.com with your questions.

We will also be sending out regular emails highlighting the conference and aspects of our state. Upcoming will be some highlights of the facilities at Thanksgiving Point. We are excited to showcase the great things WSLN 2010 will have to offer!

A Letter from our President

2010-02-25T06:54:00.002-07:00

Here is a letter from our UAEYC president and president elect. To view a larger version, click on the letter. For a copy of the original document (for better quality printing), you can email wsln2010@gmail.com.

A Quick Preview

2010-02-25T00:22:00.001-07:00

Here are a few pictures from the beautiful gardens at Thanksgiving Point. For a larger view, just click on the pictures. Hopefully there will be more to come - these should just pique your interest in some of the great offerings at this lovely location.

An aerial view of the gardens area

A shot of some of the garden waterfalls

Part of the Grand Allee

Garden Creek

One more

More pictures of the gardens are available at the Thanksgiving Point website. Enjoy!

Lakeshore Dinner

2010-02-21T22:37:00.000-07:00

Here is a link to the location for the dinner hosted by Lakeshore this year. It will be held at historic Gardner Village :

http://gardnervillage.myworldcms.com/index.php?ID=10&XID=4:10:0:0:0

Take some time to browse the site - there are links to descriptions of all the fun shops in the village, including pictures of the old buildings, etc.

Save the Date!

2010-01-26T13:00:00.003-07:00

Save the date for WSLN 2010! To view the flyer, just click on the picture below.

Thanksgiving Point

2010-01-20T14:08:00.003-07:00

Thanksgiving Point will be the location of WSLN 2010. Here's a link to their website:
http://www.thanksgivingpoint.com/

Check out all of the great things they have to offer!