Summer 2016 | Sea Island Life Magazine Spring/Summer 2016 | Page 17

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 |