Caneel Turtle Town for Kids

Jumbiegirl · Post by **Jumbiegirl** » Fri Nov 16, 2012 12:19 pm

Have any of you had your kid(s) do the Turtle Town program for the day at Caneel? We're staying there at the tail end of our vacation this summer for the first time and my 7-year-old really wants to do some fun things with other kids (she is a hyper social only child). I thought this sounded like just the ticket but wondered if anyone had any experience with the program. Any feedback would be great.

PA Girl · Post by **PA Girl** » Fri Nov 16, 2012 1:32 pm

Two summers ago, we met the director outside the main restaurant and then rode with her on the tram.

She was a lovely woman and I got a very good vibe off of her. She spoke to my son for quite a while, telling him about the activities and asked if he wanted to visit the center. We were busy with our own activities so our son didn't want to go but I would have felt comfortable sending him.

Not Turtle Town but we talked to several parents who had their kids do the dinner and a movie activity and the kids liked it.

FYI - Caneel had a rather large basket of beach toys in our room on arrival as well as a bottle of sparkling cider and cookies next to our champagne. Talk about hooking them young!

RickG · Post by **RickG** » Sat Nov 17, 2012 8:36 am

Ja, I've got one of them girls too. I never put her in a day camp, but she loved our stay at Maho Campground. Sadly, a visit there is not an option for you since they close in May. Not many kids at Caneel.

Some other things my youngest energy girl loved on St. John:
- Hawksnest Bay on the weekends with tons of kids
- Haulover North for hermit crab hunting - you'll get a bucket load in 5 minutes
- Hold your own hermit crab races on the beach in Cruz Bay - bring extras, you'll attract kids
- Walking dogs at ACC, playing with the puppies

There are a lot of kids on STJ in the summer. Their parents are in the same situation you are and would love playmates. I would just walk Hawksnest, Cinnamon, Maho and Francis with my daughter and the kids would create their own pack. They would also plan their next beach day together, given the chance.

Cheers, RickG

PA Girl · Post by **PA Girl** » Sat Nov 17, 2012 9:29 am

I am going to disagree with RickG on this one

Based on our trips over the years, you will find a good number of kids at Caneel, especially in the summer. We started going there in 1995 and we have noticed a very significant increase in the number of families versus honeymooners/couples.

Jumbiegirl · Post by **Jumbiegirl** » Sun Nov 18, 2012 7:43 am

This will be her 4th trip to St John. She's always found a new best friend before we even put down the beach chairs and cooler. She loves hanging with local kids because they know the best spots to play. She really wants to do Turtle Town but I wondered if it was worthwhile.

Oh, and we have always brought her in June and there's never been a shortage of kids.

PA Girl · Post by **PA Girl** » Sun Nov 18, 2012 9:23 am

Jumbiegirl wrote:This will be her 4th trip to St John. She's always found a new best friend before we even put down the beach chairs and cooler. She loves hanging with local kids because they know the best spots to play. She really wants to do Turtle Town but I wondered if it was worthwhile.

Oh, and we have always brought her in June and there's never been a shortage of kids.

Have you taken her to Virgin Gorda yet? Our son was 4yo and the local kids approached us every day and asked if he could play. One group of girls could not understand why I wouldn't let him run off with them to jump off the rocks at Spring Bay. I explained he was too young and they assured me that they would watch him! The compromise was that I went along.

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