Fun in the Sun
With special programs for 10-15 year olds, Florida entertains even the most antsy adolescent.

by Laura Folio

TWEENS & TEENS NEWS June 2006

Though family vacations are packed with laughter and long-lasting memories, planning vacations often brings the daunting task of making everyone happy. This can be difficult when there are a variety of ages to please, especially tweens and teens who are not children anymore, but not quite adults. Fortunately, vacation spots with an abundance of activities, exciting opportunities and special deals, such as Florida, cater to the tween and teen set.

Read on to learn about the new programs in the Sunshine State that add enjoyment to any adolescent’s vacation experience.

Girls Just Wanna Have Fun
Pink Shell Beach Resort & Spa, located in southwest Florida, recently introduced Aquateen, a spa designed for teens. The junior spa menu features treatments and services especially for ages 5-15, and the spa helps teens learn healthy skincare routines. The Aquateen spa also has special packages for birthdays and celebrations that include a facial, massage and manicure. Packages like My Mom & Me create the perfect opportunity for bonding, Florida style.

For a teen spa experience in the Florida Keys, head to The Indies Teen Spa at Hawk’s Cay Resort where travelers ages 8-15 can get tropical massages and skincare treatments. The spa features modern products like sparkle nail polish and special skincare goodies created with teen beauty in mind. Teens can enjoy manicures, pedicures and other relaxing options including a 25-minute Swedish massage. There are also packages designed for groups of girlfriends.

Exploring the Outdoors
Northwest Florida’s Adventures Unlimited Outdoor Center is an 88-acre “playground” with nature-based activities. This rustic retreat is known for its canoeing, kayaking and tubing excursions that can last from two hours to three days. There are also challenging rope courses and hiking trails. Without the distraction of television, cell phones and conflicting schedules, families spend time bonding and learning to work as a team. While many activities can be done in a day, for a longer visit, Adventures Unlimited offers accommodations ranging from cozy cabins to primitive campsites.
In the Orlando area, step outside the fantasy of the theme parks and enjoy Florida’s natural side. Teens will be amazed when a gator’s red eyes surface above dark waters on a nighttime Gator Watch excursion with Aquatic Wonders Tours. The experience will send a chill through anyone encountering this up close and personal connection with wildlife.

For teens who want to earn their wings, Warbird Adventures offers the chance to take to the skies and take control of a World War II T-6 trainer. No experience is needed— a co-pilot keeps the plane steady and your teen goes for a thrilling sightseeing flight that may include aerobatics.

Dive In and Set Sail
Anyone ages 10 and up can become a certified scuba diver. Before your Florida vacation, have eligible family members complete the required classroom and pool time. Most cities have indoor facilities that provide scuba courses. Once you arrive in Florida, the open water portion of your certification can be done in two-three days. Then vacationers are free to dive Florida’s 1,350 miles of coastline. Being a certified scuba diver affords adolescents (and adults) great pride, plus a new hobby for life.

Offshore Sailing School extends free tuition to kids ages 11-17 during the summer, when accompanied by a paying adult. This program is available at Offshore Sailing’s three Florida locations. The School has been teaching adults and children to sail since 1964. The Learn to Sail Free offer is available at The Pink Shell Beach Resort & Spa on Ft. Myers Beach, Hawk’s Cay Resort on Duck Key in the Keys and Mansion House B&B in St. Petersburg. These family-friendly hotels do not charge for kids under 16 sharing a room with parents.

Animal Adventures
Each summer, Lowry Park Zoo in Tampa hosts a “Zoo Keeper for a Day” camp. Open to anyone 13 years and older, this program gives teens a hands-on experience with many of the animals at the zoo. Participants learn about animal care and diet, participate in training and education and even see how to clean the enclosures. The camp lasts for half a day and is offered at various times throughout the summer months.

At Discovery Cove, families can explore the mysteries of the ocean by becoming part of it, because the park offers an array of aquatic activities. In Dolphin Lagoon, visitors have the rare opportunity to swim and play with a bottlenose dolphin. Under the watchful eye of a trainer, small groups share hugs and kisses with their new dolphin friend.

Then the fun moves to deeper water, where swimmers get the ride of their lives— a dolphin-powered dorsal tow ride. There’s also snorkeling among tropical fish and gentle stingrays. Reservations are required at Discovery Cove, located in Orlando, FL.

Rockin’ Resorts
TeenZone at Sandestin Golf & Beach Resort provides activities for kids ages 12 and up, allowing them to experience Florida on their own terms. The TeenZone hangout on the beach features live daily music. Daring teens will flip for the two-story high EuroBungy, where they use bungee cords and a trampoline to spin and leap. Athletic teens will find fun on the basketball courts, or by trying the junior golf, tennis or sailing programs. TeenZone also has group activities in the evenings including kayak trips, sailing adventures, volleyball and Segway excursions.

At Four Seasons Hotel Miami, teens get special treatment from the moment they arrive. Upon arrival, 13 to 17 year olds receive an aqua-colored toy convertible filled with candy and energy bars, a sports drink and a magazine to help them stay in-the-know regarding the latest gossip, fashion and sports. Teenagers will be treated like VIPs throughout their stay as the hotel concierge knows all the answers to the important questions like: “Where’s the coolest shopping?” or “Who has the best burger?” Teen-tailored items such as Game Boys, board games and books are available for loan.

For more information on planning a Florida getaway sure to please all ages, visit www.VISITFLORIDA.com.

Laura Folio, a senior public relations student at Florida State University, has spent 12 years living in various parts of Florida. Folio is a permanent resident of Marietta, GA, with communications experience that includes VISIT FLORIDA, The Florida Department of Juvenile Justice and The Georgia Trust.