Nature in Naples

While visiting Naples we were pleasantly surprised to find a wonderful nature program designed especially for kids but enjoyed by many a grown-up, too. We stopped in at The Ritz-Carlton, Naples, one of the oldest (it has held up surprisingly well over the years) and most successful spas in the Ritz-Carlton family, and spent a good amount of time in the lab, shown here, where budding marine biologists can explore the natural world. Nature’s Wonders, as it’s called, is the environmental program led by a team of certified master naturalists that was designed for families not only interested in Florida’s natural beauty, but in living more sustainably. Eco-activities abound, including an Eco-Sail through the mangrove islands to check out the sea turtles and manatees. The center, where this lab is located, has nine aquariums that house sharks, Florida spiny lobsters, and grouper, to name a few indigenous denizens, as well as the Nature Vision Theater. We could sense it was a special place, so we weren’t surprised to learn that the American Camp Association (ACA) recently announced that the Nature’s Wonders program and summer camp has received ACA-Accredited Camp status for 2010. www.ritzcarlton.com/naples