Fighting for a good cause at the Alviera Hero Camp

MANILA, Philippines – Even your average city slicker will begrudgingly admit that an escape from the urban jungle is a necessity at times. What could be better than trading in pavements and high rises for open fields and fresh air? Well, doing it for a good cause of course!

Alviera, a sustainable estate located on the lush outskirts of Porac, Pampanga, and only 1.5 hours away from the metro, has partnered up with Leonio Land to launch an extra-super, two-day event: the Alviera Hero Camp. Set during the spookiest month of the year, this coming Oct. 15-16, the camp will transform into superhero central, where kids and kids-at-heart can live out all their hero fantasies for an entire weekend.

So what’s one to expect at this fun-tastic event? Lots! Every superhero needs to learn the ropes of how to be super, so the Hero Basics 101 class will help them do just that. Along with trained guides and expert adventurers, heroes-in-training of all sizes will be taught to navigate an entire survival course. If they want to fine-tune their skills even more, there’s always Kapow! Hero Combat Training, where certified martial arts instructors will teach defense moves necessary to battle the forces of evil.

If they’re up for the challenge, the Monster Obstacle Course is a feat they can take on, as they’ll fight maniacal monsters through an outdoor archery maze. What’s a hero without a cool outfit, though? At the Costume Crafting Corner, you can create your own hero mask (to protect your super-secret identity) or add some flair to your own costume.

The activities don’t end once the sun goes down however, because that’s when the Parade of Heroes will be held. Super kids, along with their super parents, can trick-or-treat to their heart’s content at the different booths located all around the campsite. Future heroes don’t just rely on their brawn to save the day, though, but their brains too! The Mind Museum will be heading stargazing activities of all kinds, and afterwards, chilling out to wide-screen, heroic themed flicks are a must.

Oh, and did I forget to mention that the camp is located at the widely visited and raved-about SandBox adventure park? “It’s home to the country’s tallest outdoor swing,” says Leo Grape, associate manager for the Alviera project development team, “and has Asia’s only rollercoaster zip line, the Avatar One.”

Wall climbing, free-fall rappel, outdoor archery, and the Aerial Walk are just some of the other SandBox attractions that might tickle your fantasy, too. Plus, by the last quarter of the year, SandBox will be open for evening operations every weekend that should please both night owls and heroes who prefer the cover of darkness alike.

Fear not, concerned parents: with all the anticipated activities, I’m sure some of you are wondering about the camp’s safety protocols. Both Leo and Travel Factor’s managing partner Cedric Valera assured the media audience that safety is top priority at all their events and not only will there be doctors and ambulances on standby, but all nearest hospitals and routes to them have already been marked. After all, even superheroes need to be kept safe!

The weekend long camp-tivities aren’t just for the benefit of budding heroes-to-be, of course, but for the children of fallen heroes as well. A major supporter of the HERO Foundation, which provides educational assistance to the children and dependent siblings of Filipino soldiers killed or incapacitated in the line of duty, Alviera will donate a portion of the sales of the event to fund the foundation’s scholarship program. Some of these hopeful scholars will be invited to join in on the epic fun, too. So, if you and your kids are ready to don your tights and capes, fight some crime, and save the world, the Alviera Hero Camp is the go-to destination this Halloween season.

There are two action-filled packages to snag: The Day Adventurer package (P2,100/adult and P1,600/child) covers all-day activities, which includes free use of four SandBox attractions (Rollercoaster Zipline, Aerial Walk, Giant Swing, and Adventure Tower) and the Hero Training Crash Course (Hero Basics 101, Costume Crafting Corner, Kapow! Hero Combat Training, and Monster Obstacle Course). The Weekend Camper package (P2,950/adult and P2,250/child) includes  both day and night activities, use of the SandBox attractions at night, the Parade of Heroes, Superzoom Stargazing with the Mind Museum, and the Wham Bam Movies film screenings. In the morning, after snoozing under the stars, the ultimate Breakfast of Champions will be served to all participants.

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For more details about the Alviera Hero Camp and to purchase your tickets, visit the Travel Factor website at http://www.travelfactor.org/alvieraherocamp.

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