A perfect fall family vacation: Camp Penguin at the Hilton Hawaiian Village

While your kids are starting the school year, you might be thinking the lazy days of summer are gone for good, but why not plan a beach vacation for fall? If you choose a locale with activities the entire family will love, you can prepare for a much needed break and quality family time before or during the busy holiday season.

The Hilton Hawaiian Village^® Beach Resort & Spa is a win-win solution for both parents and kids. The resort makes it easy for kids to discover their own private paradise in the resort’s children’s program, Camp Penguin.

Camp Penguin

Camp Penguin’s name and logo were inspired by the property’s former eight resident African black-footed penguins. The program has been making magical vacation memories for children ages 5 to 12 since opening in October of 2009.

The program is based out of a 1,200-square-foot space in the beachfront resort’s Diamond Head Tower and features colorful wall murals, fabric-stuffed palm trees, bean bag furniture, lockers, soft carpeted areas and computer stations. The team of trained and caring camp counselors immerses the children into the rich history and culture of Hawaii. The program also helps teach kids to protect the environment with green activities and crafts. A retail outlet offers products that promote the green theme, including t-shirts and penguin-themed items made from recycled materials.

Every day of the week features a different Hawaiian theme and includes fun, educational activities with a focus on learning about Hawaii through storytelling, games, music, arts and crafts, hula and lei-making. Participants learn the “Hawaiian Word of the Day,” which is used often throughout the day. Off-property excursions include visits to the Honolulu Zoo, the Waikiki Aquarium, Bishop Museum and Children’s Discovery Center. Daily themes include: Wild About Hilton, Hawaiian Ocean Explorer, Makahiki Day, Treasures of Hawaii, Discover Hawaii, Waikiki Aloha Friday and Hawaiian Safari.

At the end of each day, kids will receive Camp Penguin Daily News, a recap of the day’s adventures to allow parents an opportunity to engage in conversation with their children. Black and white themed drawings in the newspaper for kids to color will reflect the different Hawaiian themes and lined space will encourage kids to write a personal memory about their experience.

Parents can choose between full-day (8 a.m. to 3 p.m.) and half-day (8 a.m. to 12 p.m. or 11:30 p.m. to 3 p.m.) programs. Camp Penguin is limited to Hilton Hawaiian Village guests only and is priced at $90 per child ($85 without excursion) for a full day or $65 per child for a half-day ($60 without excursion). Lunch is included and all participants will receive a Camp Penguin t-shirt as a part of their registration fee. Pre-registration can be done 24 hours in advance at the social director’s desk in the hotel’s main lobby.

Camp Penguin is just one of the many family offerings at the resort, including interactive children’s menus in the restaurants, activity discounts and room packages that include Camp Penguin membership.

Day camp for mom and dad

While your kids are having fun at Camp Penguin, moms and dads can enjoy pampering at the Mandara Spa. Parents needs their own day camp too, right? At the largest spa in Waikiki, parents can indulge in a whole world of relaxation. The spa also includes a fitness center, locker rooms, full-service salon, and a range of spa products.

More family activities

Families can also enjoy a unique feast of music, color, food and dance at the Waikiki Starlight Luau.

Families can also explore the five swimming pools including the Paradise Pool and a keiki pool. Appropriately named the Paradise Pool, the aquatic playground is comprised of a two-tiered heated, freshwater swimming pool bordered by lava rock formations, meandering streams and bridges and lush, tropical landscaping. The pool features four slides including a 77-foot lava tube slide, three waterfalls and two heated spas. The freeform design of the pool’s perimeter offers poolside loungers privacy while sunbathing, reading or napping. The Paradise Pool joins the 10,000-square-foot Super Pool, which also includes a children’s pool; the 2,000-square-foot Tapa Pool; the 800-square-foot Alii Pool and the 1,050-square-foot Kalia Pool.

Families shouldn’t miss the Atlantis Submarine underwater tour in which a shuttle boat takes passengers on a ten minute scenic cruise from Port Hilton out to sea to the Atlantis Submarine dive site. Families can then board a real passenger submarine and dive 120 feet below the ocean’s surface into the habitat of countless exotic sea creatures mingling among the Atlantis reef, while a knowledgeable guide provides interesting information about the marine environment.

Book your vacation

To book a vacation at Hilton Hawaiian Village^® Beach Resort & Spa, call the resort directly at (808) 949-4321 or call toll-free at 1-800-HILTONS (1-800-445-8667).

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