Last updated on November 3rd, 2024 at 04:13 pm
Disclosure: I was invited by Destin-Ft. Walton Beach as a judge at the Emerald Coast Open Lionfish Tournament Restaurant Week (more in next post). Since 2021 I’ve attended their live virtual media events to learn about “Little Adventures” — interactive experiences offered after COVID-19 to get children and their families outside. The initiative was such a success that in 2024 they’ll offer 700 free classes through local businesses and four outposts. I’m convinced this is THE Florida beach destination laser-focused on children and conservation. They’re the experts at creating both a bonding family vacation and a summer camp experience for all ages.
As always, the opinions here are my own.
Warning: Florida is home to wildlife in fresh and saltwater, in parks, and on beaches. Other possible risks can be weather and rip currents. Keep an eye on beach flags and see other safety tips.
Families have been vacationing in the Florida panhandle for decades, and I’ve had the privilege of experiencing it firsthand since my childhood. My mom’s family has been coming to the Emerald Coast since the 1940s, and my dad would often prefer camping and fishing with us in Kentucky. However, he did enjoy our family trips to Destin-Ft. Walton Beach, particularly when we spent a week at Conservation Camp at Land Between the Lakes when I was eleven.
Looking back, I realize that some kids are ready for a week away from parents at that age, but it wasn’t until I was a teen that I signed up for Conservation Camp to please my dad. He’d love fishing with me, and I thought it would be an adventure we could share together. When we took off full throttle in the boat, the bow bucked as we slammed across the waves, and we laughed until we cried in the spray.
I still enjoy lakes, but there’s something about living on snow-white sand beside the emerald waters of Florida that has always called to me. As I watched Neil Armstrong walk on the moon, I remember thinking: Meh. Space is cool, but I want to see what lives in the deepest parts of the ocean.
Destin-Ft. Walton Beach offers Little Adventures with BIG payoffs, and many experiences are free. For parents stressed about choosing between the cost of summer camp and family vacation, here you get the best of both worlds: free classes in nature led by expert instructors (“scouts” much like camp counselors) AND SO MANY bonding experiences for the whole family.
Most of the free classes last about an hour. Destin-Ft. Walton Beach has Pickleball courts and reefs for diving for “Big Kid” Adventures, too. To help you decide which class or experience is right for your child based on age, interest, and other factors, they have online “scouts,” too — a Mom Squad (see chat box).
In an age when most websites are run by bots, I can not stress enough how helpful speaking with local parents is. I chatted online with several of them who gave me invaluable intel. For example, one mom told me about Henderson Beach Resort, which provides bikes for Henderson State Park. You can also camp at the park. One of the Little Adventures meeting points is a short walk away.
Special thanks to Hayley Ardoin who emailed me this list of free family activities: Turkey Creek, Gulf Islands National Seashore, Snorkeling the Norriego Point tide pools (will pay for parking but rest is free), Fred Gannon Rocky Bayou State Park ($5 vehicle entry but rest is free), Captain Leonard State Park, The Indian Temple Mound and Old School House Museum.
Little Adventures include fishing from the pier, kayak, charter boat, or paddle board. My cousins were having a blast at Destin while I was exploring Little Adventures, riding waves and building sandcastles with experts just down the beach. Uncle Preston and his great-grandson, Preston, on Florida’s Emerald Coast.
Dan Castles is another Destin-Ft. Walton Beach Little Adventure. Learn more here.
Skim the Gulf Skim the Gulf Dan Castles
Benefits of Playing in Nature: Family Bonding, Emotional Health, and Increased I.Q. Traveling is therapy for adults and children. According to Dr. Margot Sunderland, child psychotherapist, author of What Every Parent Needs to Know, and Director of Education and Training at The Centre for Child Mental Health, family vacations make children happier and smarter.
Time away from work, school, and other obligations gives parents and children time for “attachment play” — unstructured time together in the pool, playing miniature golf, or fishing. She says this is crucial for bonding and self-esteem. Dr. Sunderland adds: But holidays aren’t just about bonding; they also help develop a child’s brain.
On a family trip, you get to exercise two genetically ingrained systems in the brain’s limbic area: for “Play” and for “Seeking” (terms coined by Professor Jaak Panksepp, a neuroscientist at Washington State University.) The Play system kicks in every time you bury your child’s feet in the sand; the Seeking system is exercised each time you go exploring together.
Once you activate these systems in your own brain and that of your child, they trigger neurochemicals which reduce stress and promote warm feelings. With both limbic systems firing, family members can refuel emotionally….Using the Play and Seeking systems well brings about growth in the frontal lobe, the part of the brain involved in cognitive functioning, social intelligence and goal-directed behaviours.
Dr. Sunderland also mentions that studies have shown that children who spend more time outdoors are more likely to develop a love for nature and be more curious about science and technology. Fishing charters are gulf to table or catch and release. The Edge Seafood Restaurant was on standby to cook my catch. Anna called The Edge to say we were coming in empty-handed.
I was thrilled to hear what they were frying up as Plan B — a whole red snapper with pineapple mango salsa and coconut rice — my favorite fish dish since living in The Dominican Republic! We pulled into a slip and headed upstairs to the Sky Bar for lunch with a panoramic view of Destin Harbor, East Pass, and The Gulf of Mexico and live music.
The Edge Restaurant and Sky Bar, located on Harbor Blvd, is easily reached by car or boat. The award-winning local hangout is the best perch in town for watching 4th of July fireworks, Christmas Boat Parade, and the annual Blessing of the Fleet of the world’s largest charter boat brigade.
I appreciated meeting the owners, Chris and Heather Thomas, on their way to their child’s graduation. Their family roots include local fishermen. The Edge, built over the water, is named for the popular fishing spot where the continental shelf drops off just a few miles off the coast. Downstairs is casual family dining. They have several parking slips for boats.
Upstairs is adults-only where friends gather on couches and around fire pits and the spacious bar. The view was spectacular and the food and cocktail delicious. I was so excited to be on the water in Destin fishing and seeing Crab Island that I called dolphin “big fish.”
Whether the weather and fishing in Destin-Ft. Walton Beach is typical or not, families go home with summer camp and family vacation memories. Children actually look forward to writing that first fall homework assignment — an essay on “What I Did On My Summer Break.” In the photo gallery at Henderson Beach resort.
The combination of natural beauty, exciting outdoor activities, and warm hospitality makes Destin-Ft. Walton Beach a must-visit destination for families looking for a summer camp and family vacation experience that will last a lifetime.
