GOLF DESTINATIONS

Bring Your Kids: There’s
Plenty to do at Camp Lucaya

By Nancy Foster, Special for WorldGolf.com
FREEPORT, GRAND BAHAMAS-- So you want to break away for a romantic rendezvous, or that breathtaking vacation to recharge your batters? You’ve dreamed about clear blue waters of the Bahamas your whole life, waiting to see the picturesque sunset of the Caribbean only to be hit with the dreaded question: what do we do with our kids?

Don’t leave them at home. Drop them off at Camp Lucaya and they’ll get more than just a sunburn.

Camp Lucaya encompasses 3,000 sq. ft. of activity space and presents a menu of enriching experiences from learning native dances to creating island-inspired arts and crafts. Your children will enjoy everything from shell and Junkanoo mask painting, coconut crafts, sand sculpture building and straw weaving taught by local artisans.

Children are entertained by tales of Bahamian folklore and original poetry by camp instructors who teach about the Lucayan Indians -- the island's first settlers -- and lead in native dances such as the quadrille and rake-n-scrape. The art of making island music with goat-skinned drums, conch shells and cowbells is also a popular activity for small guests.

Colored in vibrant hues, Camp Lucaya is divided into separate rooms dedicated to specific age groups appropriately named Navigators, Voyagers and Adventurers.

For days when the shimmering waters, sun-drenched white sand beaches and sun-kissed skies of the Caribbean beckon, the program houses its own pool and offer off-site ventures to introduce young guests to bird watching at Garden of the Groves, kayaking through mangroves and walking tours at Rand Nature Centre. Together, families experience island treats including duty-free shopping across the street at Port Lucaya Marketplace and soft-adventure activities such as snorkeling and diving.

Need more?

The Camp Lucaya experience includes coconut crafts, a just-for-kids garden and tykes-only gecko-tail pool. The Marine Explorer's Club, co-sponsored with the Underwater Explorer's Society (UNEXSO), teaches ocean and marine experiences to youngsters. Your kids will even get to touch a dolphin. All guests delight in a kids' Junkanoo parade every afternoon.

The fun doesn’t end there. As you are off enjoying the resort’s many pleasures, you may see your kids exhausting their energies playing some tug-o-war on the sand. Yes, you can feel free to join them.

Camp Lucaya is located at Reef Village and open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. with an evening program from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.

And after you listen to your children giggle from a pleasant day, you will have wished you could have joined them.

Camp Lucaya Rates:

* $52 full day 9am-5pm with lunch and snacks
* $28 half day 9am-1pm snack only
* $34 half day 9am-1pm lunch and snack
* $28 half day 1-5 pm snack only
* $28 evening with snack 6-10 pm