Summer 2016 | Sea Island Life Magazine Spring/Summer 2016

TOP LEFT AND RIGHT PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE AMERICAN CAMP ASSOCIATION Camp experiences can offer lasting friendships (left) and family bonding (right). improving basketball skills or providing a general overview of the arts, all camp experiences offer benefits. Family camps, which welcome both kids and adults, can be particularly valuable, as they present unique opportunities to bond. Chris Chesak, executive director of the Family Travel Association, says it doesn’t really matter what camps spotlight, so long as they keep kids in mind. “I think that any good family camp starts by taking a child’seye view,” Chesak explains. “They look at everything from that perspective, certainly including activities and food, but even extending that vision to everything from snacks to bedding as well.” Chesak adds that the best camps offer multiple tracks across generations. In fact, industry insiders have identified a growing number of camps that bring together kids and other family members, according to Tom Holland, CEO of the ACA. “We are seeing a trend with resort camps and camps held in larger retirement communities, where children can visit with their grandparents,” Holland says. Ultimately, he adds, programs welcoming multiple generations provide an opportunity for families to create camp memories they all can share for years to come. In addition to offering an opportunity for generations to connect over fun activities, resort-based camp programs also frequently offer piecemeal events that allow campers to participate in as many daily activities as they want. Camp Cloister, hosted at Sea Island, offers kids a full day of experiences across the resort. Taking advantage of the rich nearby ecosystem, Anne Harvey, Sea Island activities manager, says programs there usually revolve around the outdoors at the beaches and surrounding environment. Opportunities range from horseback riding and fishing to tennis and sailing. Outside time, new friends, fun programs and exploring the island—sounds like an ideal summer at any age. m ISLAND EXPERIENCES Sea Island offers a wide variety of kid- and teen-oriented activities year-round, from creative and educational endeavors to unique experiences in nature. Activities Manager Anne Harvey offers a short listing of a few offerings: CAMP CLOISTER: Kids ages 3 to 14 can join the Junior Staff and the nature team for adventures, nature discoveries, games, crafts and other exciting outdoor activities. TIE-DYE WEDNESDAYS: A creative favorite for kids of all ages, participants can choose colors for a uniquely designed tie-dye T-shirt to take home. UNDER-THE-SEA WORKSHOP: On Tuesdays and Fridays, kids ages 3 and up can learn all about the living creatures underneath the water’s Sea Island tie-dye activity surface and make their own stuffed animal friends. SEA ISLAND JUNIOR NATURALIST: This program, available weekdays for children ages 7 through 14, offers kids the opportunity to join a naturalist for a hands-on experience to learn about Sea Island’s ecosystems and wildlife. SPRING/SUMMER 2016 |

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