5 Resorts that Teach Kids Real Skills
Oct 13, 2017
By: Ed Wetschler
Source: Recommend
“I don”t care what they do; just keep my kids busy,” said no parent — ever. The following, therefore, are resorts whose camps and other programs don”t just keep children out of their parents” hair, but actually impart knowledge and/or skills. All rates below are for a family of four, summer of 2018.
Bahamas Buddies Cultural Exchange
Photo Credit: Abaco Beach Resort
There”s nothing like this in the Caribbean. Instead of having counselors teach kids local words or dances, Abaco Beach Resort on Great Abaco, The Bahamas, can pair a guest”s child (age 3-12) with a local “child ambassador” so they can have fun and learn from each other. Led by the resort”s activities team, Bahamas Buddies engage in nature- and culture-based activities such as fishing, conch diving, arts and crafts, and exploring the island by bicycle. Sessions include lunch and cost $30 per child. Rooms for a family of four start at $300; $2,600/week with taxes.
Engaging Children with Special Needs
Photo: Beaches” camps are Certified Autism Centers, Credit: Beaches Resorts
Counselors at Beaches resorts aren”t just advertised as well trained; they”ve completed IBCCES certification so they can help children with autism and other conditions affecting motor skills, socializing, communicating, etc. Not only are Beaches” camps Certified Autism Centers, but this fall Julia, a Sesame Street character with autism, will join the program, which includes dining options. Julia will teach “Amazing Art with Julia,” but perhaps it”s her interactions with the children that will have the most profound effect. About $600/night Beaches Ocho Rios; 4,220/week with taxes and fees.
Golf, Shooting, and Tennis
Photo: Casa De Campo Junior Golf Academy, Credit: Casa De Campo
The Dominican Republic”s Casa de Campo Resort & Villas offers focused programs for kids in three sports. The Junior Golf Academy accommodates children as young as four and costs just $15 per one-hour session through age eight and $25 per two-hour sesssion for older students. And yes, the kids get to play on a Pete Dye course. The Junior Tennis Academy costs $100 per month, worth the money even for short-stay guests. The summers-only Junior Shooting Academy ($70 per month; ages 7-17) teaches safe handling and marksmanship in trap, skeet and sporting clays. Like the Bitter End”s sailing classes, all three of these options help young people learn sports that they can enjoy for decades. From $255/night; about $2,300/week with taxes and fees.
Circus Skills
Photo: Creative Facilities, Credit: Club Med Punta Cana
The aim of the circus-skills lessons at Club Med Punta Cana is not to introduce children to their life”s work, but to engage them in activities that, while being fun, also impart strength, balance, self-discipline, and confidence. Thanks to Club Med”s partnership with Cirque du Soleil, it has “Creactive” facilities where children in the Mini Club (ages 4-10) and Club Passworld (11-17) can use a trampoline, swing on a trapeze, juggle, and more. In addition, classes organized by age group and scheduled throughout the day cover the abovementioned skills as well as tightrope, dance, juggling, percussion, make-up, Diablo devil sticks… On family days, parents and their kids can participate together. Now, that”s team-building. From approximately $415/nt., or $2,890/wk. including $180 club fee.
Sea Turtle Conservation
Photo: Hatchling to surf, Source: Jumby Bay Hawksbill Project
The protection of these gentle giants is a popular cause these days, so Rose Buds Camp Jumby at Jumby Bay on a private island off Antigua, involves even little children. Led by researchers, campers observe Hawksbill turtles nesting on Pasture Bay Beach (shhh!), release hatchlings, and “adopt” a turtle whose progress they can track via Facebook. Kids in Rose Buds Camp Jumby also enjoy turtle presentations, arts, crafts, and games. For entire families, the Hawksbill Turtle Experience, a five-night package offered four times per summer, includes guests in sea turtle patrol and data collection training, excursions to see hawksbills laying eggs, a guided snorkeling trip, outdoor presentations about habitat, a white night beach BBQ, and six hours of community service credit for school students. Rates weren”t firm at press time, but 2017 rates at a Pool Suite were about $3,220 with taxes and fees, all inclusive, or $16,000 for five nights.
