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Adventure awaits Discovery Experiences allows your family to go on daring escapes. By Adam PringlePublished: March, 2009

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You want to have amazing experiences with your family, but don’t have the budget for an all-inclusive vacation to the Bahamas. What can you do?     The Discovery Channel has created a collection of exciting and educational adventures available to anyone with its Discovery Experiences program.     Discovery Experiences gives individuals and families the opportunity to participate in awesome activities, ranging from a prehistoric fossil dig to a flight in a military aircraft, all in Southern California. We’ve selected 10 to show you the variety of options available in the Southland. 1. Behind the Scenes at the Aquarium Go on a behind-the-scenes tour of the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach to see what it takes to run this renowned facility. While encountering exotic sea life up close, you’ll even get the opportunity to feed some of the fish at the Tropical Reef Habitat exhibit. Price: $80 for two, $160 for four Location: Long Beach Minimum age to participate: 7 2. Indoor Skydiving Ever wonder what it would be like to experience a 10,000-foot freefall? Now you can – without having to take a death-defying plunge – at iFly Hollywood. This vertical wind tunnel at Universal CityWalk allows you to enjoy the sensation of soaring through the air. An experienced instructor will be on hand to show you the basics of body flight. This isn’t a glorified wind machine; two minutes in the flight chamber are equal to three skydives from 13,000 feet, so you and your family will get all the thrills you can handle. Price: $120 Location: Universal CityWalk Minimum age to participate: 3 3. Reptile Encounter Your kids can get up close with lizards, frogs, tortoises and a colorful variety of other adorably scaly creatures. Price: $215 Location: In your home Minimum age to participate: 1 4. Flying Trapeze This lesson in the aerial arts allows you to experience the thrill of flying and swinging through the air. Safety lines and spotting belts assure safety at all times. Price: $55 per person Location: Escondido and Inglewood Minimum age to participate: 6 5. Pioneer Family Adventure Tour Learn about 19th-century California with a Jeep tour of an old mining camp. See actual locations where Native Americans, ranchers and prospectors lived and worked. Price: $595 Location: Palm Desert Minimum age to participate: 4 6. Desert Sand ATV Tour Race over the desert dunes of the Coachella Valley in one of the most rugged modes of transportation: all-terrain vehicles. With an experienced instructor leading the way, participants cross desert plains and hilly grades – the course is ideal for riders of all skill levels. Price: $55 per person Location: Palm Springs Minimum age to participate: 6 (Trailers are available to attach to a parent’s ATV for children under age 6.) 7. Falconry Hunt Experience Watch birds of prey hunt with soaring grace in their natural habitat. A knowledgeable guide will teach you about the sport. Price: $230 Location: Palm Desert Minimum age to participate: 12 Other information: Participants will be instructed on how to conduct themselves safely during the experience; the ability to hike in the field is required. 8. Intro to Olympic Archery Take aim at the basics of archery: how to stand, how to hold the equipment and how to shoot an arrow safely. Then, you’ll get the chance to fire away at targets. Price: $90 for two Location: Arroyo, Pasadena Minimum age to participate: 5 9. La Jolla Kayak and Snorkel Explore the caves and sea cliffs of La Jolla by kayak while going to pristine snorkeling spots to view sea life up close. The experience includes instruction and all-day snorkel equipment rental. Price: $80 per person Location: La Jolla Ecological Reserve Minimum age to participate: 6 10. Discover Scuba Experience the wonders of the underwater world with an introductory scuba course. A certified instructor will teach you the basics of scuba, including diving fundamentals, proper equipment and key safety factors. Price: $120 per person Locations: Venice, Escondido Minimum age to participate: 12 From discovering deep-sea life or skidding across sand dunes, Discovery Experiences proves that you don’t have to travel far or spend a lot to take part in high adventure. There may be restrictions, so visit Discovery Experiences' Web site for details. Adam Pringle is an adventurous intern at OC Family magazine.

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