In June’s issue of Beachscape, Summer Waves held an exciting contest for guests to vote online for their favorite Summer Waves attraction. Hundreds of votes were received but only one winner could be chosen; Minerva Young from Jacksonville, Florida was chosen Wednesday, June 19 as the lucky winner for a week-long getaway for her family to the luxurious Jekyll Island Club Hotel! The getaway package also includes Club Juniors, a great day camp for the kids.

Wait; there’s more! The winning Summer Waves Water Park attraction is Turtle Creek with 26.9% of votes, trailed by the Frantic Atlantic Wave Pool at 21.2%. Turtle Creek is a half-mile lazy-river ride that takes you through the heart of Summer Waves at a relaxing 3mph for all the relaxation that a person could ask for; guess we can say the guests are a bit lazy these days.

Tags: contest, CU@SummerWaves, turtle creek
Posted in Beachscape, June 2008, Press Releases | No Comments »

June 1 - August 15

Jekyll Island Club Hotel Junior Golf Camps
Instructors Marty Mills and Jay Ewing will coach
beginnger and intermediate golfers ages 6-18 in the
2008 golf camps. Reservations. For more information
call 1-800-533-4597.

June 6

Stories and Dolls from Portugal
Storyteller Theresa Martin brings her amazing
collection of dolls and tells stories about their origin
in Portugal. 10:30 a.m. Jekyll Island Club Hotel.

June 13

Colonial Music for Kids – Interactive
Scott Douglas of Atlanta brings old time instruments:
fifes and drums, wash boards, guitars and other
musical instruments to play for his audience. 1
0:30 a.m. Jekyll Island Club Hotel.

June 7

Georgia’s Free Fishing Day
Celebrate National Fishing and Boating Week with
Free Fishing Day! Georgia residents will not need a
fishing license to enjoy the waters of Georgia.

June 13

Steel Drums by the Pool
Come enjoy the soft, gentle music of steel drums at
the Poolside Bar & Grill tonight. It’s an island oasis
where you can relax and also enjoy mixed grill and
beverages. 7:30 p.m. Jekyll Island Club Hotel.

June 15

Keys to Broadway Piano Concert
Pianist Scott Douglas performs a concert of
Broadway show pieces from these and other musicals
for this special Father’s Day event in the Club
Ballroom, 7:30 p.m. Jekyll Island Club Hotel.

June 17 - August 7

In Service of Others
Explore the hidden world of the hired help at this
upscale turn of the century resort. Reservations. For
more information call 912-635-4036.

June 20

Raptors, Reptiles and Giant Insects
The Raptor Center at Georgia Southern University
sends a biologist with snakes and owls, falcons and
more. 10:30 a.m. Jekyll Island Club Hotel.

June 27

Cooking for Kids
Put on a chef’s apron and help Chef Lewie prepare
several delicious items for lunch. Each child has a
“station,” where they work with the foodstuffs chef
provides. Reservations. Jekyll Island Club Hotel.

June 27 - 29

Jekyll Island Foundation Sea Turtle Weekend
An inclusive weekend fundraising event for the Jekyll
Island Foundation. Proceeds go to the restoration and
conservation efforts on Jekyll Island.
Visit www.jekyllislandfoundation.org.

June 28

Georgia Sea Turtle Center Anniversary Celebration
Celebrate the one year anniversary of the Center
with games, activities, and a turtle release. For more
information call 912-635-4444.

June 29

Sunday Dinner Dance
Enjoy ballroom dancing in the Grand Dining Room of
the Jekyll Island Club Hotel the last Sunday of each
month. Gourmet dining and dancing to the music of
Wayne Tate’s “Four and Easy” dance band.
6 p.m. Reservations.

July 2 - July 30

Hands on History
Embark on a guided learning adventure for family fun!
Wednesdays only, 9:30 am and 11:00am. Reservations.
For more information call 912-635-4036.

July 4

July 4 Fireworks Extravaganza
Fun food, and fireworks at Jekyll Island’s Beachdeck
featuring the Big Dog and Paul Show. Fun begins at
5:00 p.m. For more information, call 1-877-4JEKYLL
or visit www.jekyllisland.com.

July 5

Fireworks at Summer Waves
Visit Jekyll Island’s water park for a wonderful night of
fireworks. For more information call 912-635-2074.

July 12

Horton House Living History
Visit Horton House, one of the oldest standing tabby
structures in Georgia, where colonial re-enactors
present the story of the Spanish raid following the
Battle of Bloody Marsh. For more information call
912-635-4036.

August 15 - 16

Beach Music Festival
Visit the beautiful beach of Jekyll Island and listen
to musical greats The Swinging Medallions, the
Rickey Godfrey Band, and Second Chance. For
more information call 1-877-4JEKYLL or visit www.
jekyllisland.com/beachmusicfestival

August 30 - September 1

Jekyll Island Gold Cup Adult Soccer Tournament
Regional and National adult soccer teams for the gold
as they compete in this three day tournament For
more information call 1-877-4JEKYLL.

September 19 - 21

Shrimp & Grits: The Wild Georgia Shrimp Festival
A weekend celebration of two of Georgia’s most
beloved foods. The festival features a cook-off, live
entertainment, and a kid-friendly fun zone. For more
information call 1-877-4JEKYLL.

Tags: Jekyll Island Events, jekyll island georgia, jekyll island june beachscape
Posted in Beachscape, June 2008 | No Comments »

Summer Waves, Jekyll Island’s very own water park, is celebrating is 20th birthday this year! Whether you are looking for a thrilling splash down a giant water slide or a peaceful float down a lazy river, Summer Waves has something to offer for everyone. Is there a Summer Waves attraction that makes your summer complete? Now is your chance to vote for your all-time favorite activity! Visit www.summerwaves.com/vote to make your choice and enter to win a week at the Jekyll Island Club Hotel!

Who’s got waves? We’ve got waves and so much more to cheer about! Summer Wave’s Frantic Atlantic Wave Pool is open with unbeatable wave action. Catch a wave with friends and family and you’ll have something to cheer about too!

How do you escape hot summer days? With thousands of gallons of cool, clean, refreshing water, let Summer Waves Splash Zone show you how to beat the heat! Also kid-friendly, this area allows parents to relax and enjoy watching their children explore their natural fascination with water. That’s the main reason why the Splash Zone is an ideal addition to Summer Waves. So, take aim and enjoy blasts of fun for everyone!

Ahoy Matey! Dare to walk the plank and take a plunge down the deepest, darkest black hole of Pirate’s Passage. Towering 5-stories in the coastal Georgia sky and magnifcent views of the surrounding marshlands, this high thrill inner tube ride is only for the bravest of pirates.

Grab a float and begin your journey as you gently glide along our guest’s favorite attraction. This half mile river ride adorned with beautiful landscaping, takes you through the heart of Summer Waves at the turtle crawling pace of 3 mph. It’s great for a quick dip or an entire day of relaxation.

Can you survive the twists and turns of Hurricane and Tornado? These two furies of nature will send you curving downward for 330 ft. into a refreshing pool of water.

Specially designed for our smaller guests, the Kiddie Pool area provides hours of play with two kiddie slides, waterfalls and numerous water features. Complete with plenty of shade, a nearby snack kiosk and restroom facilities, you bring the children and we’ll bring the fun!

Whether spiralling down the thunderous 150 ft. fully enclosed twisting slide known as Thunder, or enduring the lightening speed of a 32 ft. plunge into total darkness known as Lightning, the choice is YOURS! For a slide the whole family will enjoy, grab a a double tube and float merrily along Flash Floods where “life is nothing but a dream!”

Summer Waves on Jekyll Island is the coolest way to spend your summer. Don’t forget to be on the lookout for Dolly the Dolphin and all of her Summer Waves friends as they celebrate the park’s 20th birthday in a splashtacular way!

Tags: Dolly the Dolphin, Frantic Atlantic, Jekyll Island Summer Waves, kiddie pool, nature's revenger, Pirate's Passage, Splash zone, summer fun, turtle creek, water park, wave pool
Posted in Beachscape, June 2008 | 1 Comment »

A wonderful exhibit will open at Goodyear Cottage on June 2, featuring the intriguing sculptures of Ray Garrett and the beautiful paintings of William D. Killen. The show will run through June 28 at the historic district home of the Jekyll Island Arts Association. Retirement to St. Simons has allowed Ray Garrett to concentrate on expressing himself through sculpting, using the mediums of clay, metal, paper mache, wood and fiber. The wood he prefers is Brazilian Suma plywood, which has eleven layers that accent the shape, definition and texture of the finished sculpture. He enjoys experimenting, and each piece you’ll see will be a one of a kind original. Ray wants his work to be entertaining to the viewer, and encourages visitors to touch any piece.Bill Killen, from Murphy, North Carolina, has a consuming interest in the use of light. He draws his inspiration from nature, and has captured light in his paintings from seashore to mountain streams in a natural setting. He studies the art of painting in acrylics and oil on a full time basis. In his travels, he has captured the beauty of nature in Arizona, Florida, France, Australia and now North Carolina. Everyone is invited to attend the opening reception on June 8 from 1 - 3pm - come and see this great exhibit and meet the artists. Regular hours at the shop and gallery are Monday - Friday, noon - 4pm and weekends, 10 - 4pm. Everyone is welcome to stop by, and admission is always free. Please call 912-635-3920 for more information.

Tags: acrylics, jekyll island arts association, nature art, oil paintings, Ray Garrett, William D. Killen, wood sculpture
Posted in Beachscape, June 2008 | No Comments »

May 26 through August 15, Monday through Friday, the Hotel’s Club Juniors children’s program packs the day with fun and exciting activities for those ages 5-12. Beach exploring, swimming, and bike safaris; dolphin cruises, arts and crafts, lawn sports, field trips and more are part of the discovery, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

All children’s programs are open to the public. Parents are always welcome.Register at 8:30 a.m. in the Hotel’s Palm Court, next door to the Hotel Lobby, for half day or whole day sessions. Lunch is included with the whole day option. While advance registration isn’t required, it is encouraged. Enthusiastic college age leaders advise, “Club Juniors bring swim suits, towels, sun block, sun glasses and sports shoes ready to go!”

The average ratio of children to leaders is 8:1.The basic daily charge varies between $33.00-46.00 per day depending on the scheduled activities for that day, including lunch.

Daily schedule:

Monday: Games and Contests, “Back in Time-History Center,” Lunch, Arts and Crafts, Summer Waves Water Park

Tuesday: Miniature Golf, Bingo, Lunch, Art at the Museum, Swimming and Pool Games

Wednesday: Beach Exploring, Tour of the Jekyll Airport, Lunch, Shell Crafts, Swimming and Musical Games

Thursday: Pinatas, Tour the Georgia Sea Turtle Center, Lunch, Dolphin Cruise, Swimming

Friday: Bicycle Ride, Sacavenger Hunt, “That’s Entertainment!” Lunch, Summer Waves Water Park

Posted in Beachscape, June 2008 | No Comments »

On Jekyll Island, conservation is paramount. Great golf courses are pretty important, too. It has not always been easy for golf course managers to balance the demands of golf with their responsibility to the natural environment. Now, the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program for Golf Courses (ACSP) offers golf courses a way to protect the environment using low or no cost management practices. The ACSP for Golf Courses is an education and certification program that promotes ecologically sound land management and the conservation of natural resources on establishedgolf courses.John Niedhardt and Jim Curry, golf superintendents for the Jekyll Island Authority, have used the program to blend environmentally responsible maintenance practices into their day-to-day operations. They followed the Standard Environmental Management Practices set forth by the ACSP, which are the basis of the certification program. They include six major areas of attention: Environmental Planning, Wildlife and Habitat Management, Chemical Use Reduction and Safety, Water Conservation, Water Quality Management and Outreach and Education. Because of the steady efforts of Niehart, Curry and others, major progress has been made. This includes everything from reducing pesticide and fertilizer use to monitoring water quality, to adding bird nests along the golf course. As a result, the Pine Lakes Golf Course on Jekyll Island is very near to being certified. Golfer support of a course’s environmental management program is essential to its long term success, making Outreach and Education an important component of the certification process. Christa Frangiamore, conservation manager for the Jekyll Island Authority, has been working as part of the Jekyll Island team to complete these requirements of the certification process. As a means of educating the public while also improving the landscape, a wetland demonstration garden is being planned for the Pine Lakes Golf Course. “We are going to use a runoff retention pond to create an attractive wildlife garden that will host native plants and wildlife,” Frangiamore said. Several things will be accomplished using this educational tool. “We can show people an attractive and effective way to deal with rain water runoff,” said Frangiamore. “The garden will hold native wetland plants, and people can get ideas for their own landscaping projects.” The garden will naturally attract birds and butterflies thus aiding those volunteers who are compiling native species lists for butterflies, birds and “herps” (amphibians and reptiles). Most of the work to make the Pine Lakes Golf Course a top notch, environmentally responsible golf course has been done. The addition of the wildlife garden and several other planned Outreach and Education initiatives will help push the Pine Lakes Golf Course a step closer to certification.

Tags: conservation, environment, green, Jekyll Island gold, pine lakes
Posted in Beachscape, June 2008 | No Comments »

Start dad’s summer off right with one of the greatest fishing experiences Jekyll Island has to offer.The Fishing Center, located at 38 North Beachview Drive in the Jekyll Shopping Center, has everything dad needs to feel like he is fishing with the pros. This brand new location is one shopping experience worth taking with items ranging from fish tackle to bait, rods to reels, and single bottom rigs to shark rigs the Fishing Center offers the best supplies used for the coastal area.Baits consist of shrimp, squid, chicken necks, Bonita, finger mullets, pogies, sand fleas, and clams to catch anything from crabs to sharks.Don’t forget to stop by the gift section to buy dad his own Captain Larry’s t-shirt, art work, and framed or matted fish. Captain Larry has been an avid fisherman for the past 45 years but his fascination with wildlife has inspired him to draw and create in watercolor the beauty of Georgia’s saltwater fish and various woodworking items, also for sale. Available too is metal artwork created by local artist Tyler Dominey.When dad has completed his fishing adventure the family can book a dolphin tour, catch a chartered fishing trip, or even catch a party boat fit to meet everyone’s needs. To book a trip contact Jekyll Fishing Center at 912-270-7474 or stop by the store.

Posted in Beachscape, June 2008 | No Comments »

The Jekyll Island Foundation has changed the name of its annual Family Weekend to the Jekyll Island Foundation Sea Turtle Weekend. The name change commemorates the one year anniversary of the Georgia Sea Turtle Center on Jekyll Island, the Foundation’s largest fund-raising project to date. This year marks the seventh year of the event and dates are June 27-29.Weekend packages - which include meals, beverages, accommodations, and tickets to all events - can be purchased by contacting the Jekyll Island Foundation at (912) 635-4402 or visiting their website at www.jekyllislandfoundation.org. The weekend begins with a Friday evening welcome reception at the Georgia Sea Turtle Center. Guests will have the opportunity to meet the staff and take a private tour of the center. Saturday is filled with a variety of activities for the whole family, including a golf tournament, fishing excursion, kayak trip, kite flying demonstration and shrimp boat excursion. However, the highlight of the day will be an afternoon Birthday Celebration at the Georgia Sea Turtle Center, starting with the release of a rehabilitated sea turtle. With crafts, activities and education sessions, the celebration is sure to excite kids and adults alike. As afternoon rolls into evening, guests are invited to the Jekyll Island Club Beach Pavilion to participate in a low country boil and live auction set amidst the ocean breezes. Sea Turtle Weekend is produced by the Jekyll Island Foundation as a fund raising event for the continuous restoration and conservation efforts of Jekyll Island. Proceeds from the event fund various projects on Jekyll Island. Sponsors include the Jekyll Island Authority, the Jekyll Island Club Hotel, The Coca-Cola Company, United Distributors,and Red Bug Motors.

Tags: family weekend package, fishing excursion, Jekyll Island Foundation, Jekyll Island Foundation Sea Turtle Weekend, Jekyll Island fund-raising, shrimp boat tours
Posted in Beachscape, June 2008 | No Comments »

Imagine yourself back at the Jekyll Island Club in the early days. Would you have been enjoying formal dinners at the Clubhouse or tea parties on the lawn? Not likely! It took a fat money clip and major connections to secure a place on the Club’s Membership Roster in days gone by. No, to charm your way onto the exclusive island resort, you would have had to land a coveted post as a servant. But, never fear, many such positions were available.On Tuesdays and Thursdays from June 17 to August 7, at 10:00 am, the Jekyll Island Museum is offering “In the Service of Others,” a specialty tour describing what your experience might have been like as one of the hundreds of working class men, women, and children that were needed to make this life of luxury possible.Personal maids, valets, groundskeepers, captains, caretakers, and laundresses were all an integral part of the Jekyll Island Club community. This summer, their hidden world will be explored at this upscale turn-of-the-century resort. Many island employees left personal accounts of their experiences on the island, which form the basis for this special behind-the-scenes tour. Learn how Superintendent Ernest Grob managed the Jekyll Island Club for 42 years, so well that Susan Albright Reed later wrote “Mr. Grob, the club manager, had a happy facility for making each Jekyl member, all one hundred of them, feel that he worked for him only.” Hear about the experiences of Ray Hill and his family, who were important figures in Jekyll Island’s African American community throughout the Jekyll Island Club Era. Ray Hill was first employed as a playmate to young Bobby Goodyear and also served as a caddy on the island’s golf courses. Discover Kate Brown, who hired on as a personal secretary and tutor for the Valentine Everit Macy family in 1917. When her duties with the Macy children were finished, she attended tea at Moss Cottage, played golf with Mrs. Macy, went bike riding with William Rockefeller, dined at the Club Hotel, and “motored” along the beach for a picnic. She wrote that her visit to the Jekyll Island Club was “Some party for a country girl like me!” This tour takes guests into the hidden service areas of two of the cottages, where the employees lived and worked. Discover what job duties, wages, and benefits were available for those working at this Gilded Era island resort. Find out about differencesThis specialty tour departs from the Jekyll Island Museum building on Stable Road on Tuesdays and Thursdays from June 17 to August 7, 2008 at 10:00 am. Adults $16, Children $7, Free under 6. For information about daily tour offerings, call the Jekyll Island Museum at (912) 635-4036.

Tags: Clubhouse, history tours, in service of others, jekyll island, Jekyll Island History Museum, service
Posted in Beachscape, June 2008 | No Comments »

Arribada Adventures!

Looking for something fun and educational to do as a family this summer? Come join us for Arribada Adventures at the Georgia Sea Turtle Center! While sea turtle biologists typically use the term “arribada” to describe the mass nesting of hundreds of thousands of sea turtles, the Georgia Sea Turtle Center Education Team is using it to introduce our new summer programs! Arribada Adventures is geared toward families and has been designed for turtle enthusiasts both young and old! These two hour programs will introduce you and your little hatchlings to Georgia’s turtles! Become an expert Turtler through hands-on activities, games, crafts, and outdoor exploration. Space is limited and reservations are required. For registration and location information, please call 912-635-4444.

Cost: $10/adult, $5/child*. Saturdays 9:00am -11:00am *Please note that price does not include general admission to the Center. June 21: Totally Terrapins: Get to know the Diamondback Terrapin up close and personal through a live animal presentation. You will also learn about the threats they face and participate in a release! June 28: So YOU want to be a Sea Turtle: Sea turtles spend the majority of their lives in the ocean! How do they do it? Learn about the 5 species of sea turtles that visit Georgia’s coast and learn what makes them unique. July 5: Nifty Nesters: Sea turtles are egg-cellent nesters. Become a momma sea turtle and learn all about the nesting process by playing a fun and interactive game on the beach. You’ll also learn how they do it by building your own edible nest! July 12: Cracking the Crawl: Become a sea turtle detective and learn how to identify tracks in the sand and who they belong to. Sea turtles are not alone out there on the beach. Explore the beach environment and discover other critters who call the dunes home. July 19: Turtles on the Move: Where in the world do sea turtles go? They begin their lives on the beach and then spend the majority of their lives in the ocean. Sea turtle biologists use a variety of methods to follow sea turtles as they migrate through the ocean. Learn about the different tags we use and how you too can follow sea turtles online! July 26: It’s Tough Being a Sea Turtle: Discover the not-so-glamorous part of being a sea turtle and the difficulties they face. Through interactive role play and games, participants will simulate how humans contribute to the pollution of the marine environment. August 2: Lend ‘em a Flipper: Learn how YOU too can help our fine, flippered friends by participating in a beach sweep and creating recycled sea turtle art. August 9: Giving Sea Turtles a Chance: Come learn what the Georgia Sea Turtle Center is doing to help sea turtles. Participate in a mock sea turtle rescue and learn what we do to rehabilitate a turtle!Turtle Tours Night Walks Explore the beach at night, and learn about the amazing journey of the loggerhead sea turtles nesting along the Georgia Coast. These popular programs begin with a 30-45 minute presentation at the Georgia Sea Turtle Center about the natural history of sea turtles, followed by a guided beach tour (participants must provide their own transportation from the Georgia Sea Turtle Center to the beach). Turtle walks will be conducted June 1 – July 31 (Walks will not be conducted on July 4) with two nightly programs every day (8:30 and 9:30 P.M.). Depending on the nesting season, the concluding date may vary. Reservations are required as group size is limited by DNR permit restrictions and programs nearly always sell out many days in advance. Participants will have a limited amount of time to briefly explore the Exhibit Gallery before their presentation begins, but the hospital area will not be accessible. Cost: $10 adults (13+), $5 children (ages 4-12) Children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult Due to the time and nature of these walks, we require children to be at least 4 years of age. For the safety of the turtles, flashlights, camera and video camera lights are not allowed on the Walks. Night vision cameras are allowed. Walk Guides will have a special, turtle-friendly, approved flashlight.

Tags: Georgia Sea Turtle Center, hatchlings, jekyll island, night walks, sea turtles, turtle tours
Posted in Beachscape, June 2008 | 1 Comment »