Amelia Island Treats Two Ohio Families to Trips to See the Ocean for the First Time

"We spent most of our trip to Amelia Island sightseeing, building sandcastles, looking for shells and just enjoying the sunshine," said Melinda Shackelford, mother of Amina. "Seeing the ocean for the first time was a life changing experience for our kids. We made some lifelong memories as a family and can't wait to go back."

The two winning families were selected during free beach party events sponsored by the Amelia Island CVB at Boys & Girls Club J. Ashburn Jr. club location in Columbus, and the U.S. Bank club location in Cincinnati to celebrate the official first week of summer. Children participating in the summer program enjoyed sandcastle building, beach blanket bingo and limbo contests, an interactive s'mores station, music, snacks and more – all in a fun and colorful beach setting. A 360-degree virtual reality viewing experience also transported children to Florida for a glimpse of Amelia Island's sandy shores and beautiful Atlantic waters. 

"Whether playing in the sand, or swimming and splashing in the waves, Amelia Island's 13 miles of beaches are a favorite summer spot for families," said Amy Boek, director of marketing at the Amelia Island CVB. "Just like when Florida kids see snow for the first time, it was great to share some sunny seaside moments and see the excitement of kids who had never seen the ocean or had the opportunity to experience a beach getaway."

A popular vacation destination for generations of travelers, Amelia Island is consistently ranked among the top islands in North America. For complete travel information, visit AmeliaIsland.com.

SOURCE Amelia Island