If your kids tire of sandcastle building, playing Frisbee, swimming in the ocean or simply splashing by the sea's edge, they can jump in any one of the resorts pools. Most kids congregate at the two pools behind the Amelia Inn. The upper pool tends to be more adult-oriented than the lower pool. Be aware that lifeguards do not patrol the beach or the pools. The resort may be changing this policy for 2009. Kids' Camp Amelia has morning (8:30 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. with lunch, $55); afternoon (12:45 p.m. to 4 p.m. no lunch $45) and all-day sessions (8:30 a.m. until 4 p.m. with lunch, $70) for ages 3 to 10. The camp room is in a building near the Amelia Inn's pool. Although there's only one room, kids aren't in it that often. They follow a loosely themed program each day. Children swim in the pool, learn about local critters from birds to shellfish, play volleyball on the beach (ages 8 to 10), create popsicle stick crafts and visit the resort's nature center to feed the turtles. From June through August, Camp Amelia also adds tennis and golf clinics. When enough kids are registered, the camp divides into groups for ages 3 to 4 (minnows), ages 5 to 7 (sandpipers) and 8 to 10 (chameleons).
Tip: The resort offers special, week-long, nature-oriented day camps in summer for ages 5 to 7 and ages 8 to 11. Book ahead.
Each day has a different focus. On beach ecology day, kids search for shark's teeth, collect and learn about the critters inside sea shells and go seining to discover small pompano, blue crab or whatever else they might net. On marsh day, kids look for fiddler crabs and discover how these critters and the plants adapt to marsh conditions. Ages 8 to 11 also go off-property on nature oriented outings to Cumberland Island and to the Okefenokee Swamp.
When enough teens are on property, generally in summer, the resort offers two to three activities per week for ages 11 and older. These include off-property mini-golf, paint ball and bowling outings. Most on-property activities are complimentary, but a paint ball outing costs $70.
Led by a naturalist, the Discovery Nature tours explore the resort's environment. Take your kids crabbing, fishing, beach combing, marsh kayaking and star-gazing. Ages four and older, $10.
If you really want your kids to think you're cool, then sign the family up for a Segway naturalist tour. Kids 8 and older minimum weight 65-pounds)can drive their own Segway. After a comprehensive, nearly hour-long practice session of maneuvering through an obstacle course, turning and practicing emergency stops, two guides take a group no larger than eight out on bike paths and roads. This is our favorite outing. We glide through the neighborhoods, past a 400-year-old oak tree to serene Drummond Point Park, where marsh and maritime forest meet.
The Just for Families program holds evening beach bonfires one night a week. Have your children practice their "knock knock" and "chicken" jokes as riddles and kid told stories are encouraged. Enjoy sing-alongs and s'mores making too (fee for the s'mores, although that may change).
Even though most of the Nature Center is given over to a store selling T-shirts and souvenirs, the back room displays tanks with turtles, fish and a snake. These animals can't be released in the wild because of an injury or illness. It's best if you can get a naturalist to tell you about the blind box turtle, or Harley, the Eastern King snake who can't catch food on his own.
Finally, a resort where you teach your kids golf and tennis without busting the budget. Kids 15 and under play tennis or golf free anytime with a paying adult. In summer, the Family Tee-program offers reduced rates for family golf after 5 p.m. Currently, families pay $65 (instead of the typical $150 per adult). Family play is on the front nine of the Oak Marsh course.
The village area has a variety of shops that sell sportswear, toys, children's clothing and souvenir items.
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