Geeky getaways

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I’ve arranged a special vacation offer just for my readers. You’ll stay at no nightly cost, have food prepared to your taste and never bother with packing and unpacking. It’s exactly what I plan for myself: A stay-at-home vacation with activities for the whole family. And it will leave you with a little extra money in your pocket. I have plans for some of those dollars, but even so you’ll end up spending a fraction of what a conventional vacation would cost.

Think of me as counsellor at your high-tech summer camp. There is a wide range of fun and educational activities offered. You can tailor what you do to all age groups. I’ll suggest a few types, and then you can find kits to suit your family.

BUILD A COMPUTER

The first option is to build a powerful computer that can join the family arsenal. Simply pick up all the components, from power supply to case, at any good computer store. Most stores will help you find what you need and have books that explain the process. The project requires no soldering and is surprisingly easy. Depending on the components you select, you’ll spend about $800. This isn’t for the faint-hearted. But for those of you who want to mount tiny components, it’s a great experience. You’ll get a book and all the components you need for $125. You will not end up with a PC. Instead, this computer is mostly for learning. But it can be used as the brains for another project, including a robot. This is definitely a project for the hobbyist, but enough help is offered to make it suitable for motivated beginners.

SOME KID STUFF

Many families — especially those with young children who want to get involved — would be better off starting with much easier projects. One of my first boyhood projects was building a radio. I did it from scratch, but there are easier ways today. A Tennessee company called Ten-Tec offers a $39 kit that lets you make a short-wave radio. You get everything you need, along with instructions. This project is suitable for kids, but soldering is required, so supervision is a good idea.

HEAT THINGS UP

If you are interested in some of the kits that involve soldering, why not get a kit that specifically teaches soldering? It just costs $12 and — for your efforts — you end up with a robot with blinking eyes. I’ve geared a lot of this to kids, but tech-minded adults shouldn’t ignore the fun these electronic projects offer. There’s a real thrill in hitting the power switch on something you made yourself.

So now you have a starting point for what could be a really terrific family vacation. And you have the potential for educational fun that can bind a family tighter than the most elegant solder joint.