Posted by: travadmin on Mar 21, 2003 – 05:52 PM
kidsstuff  A new aquatic program aimed to bring the legend of Atlantis to the toddlers, proved to be a splashing success during its launch last week at the Atlantis Resort.

The Aqua Tots Program, offered by the Water Features, Discovery Channel Camp and the Atlanteans, is based on a myth called the Legend of the Aqua Tots.

The legend tells a story of Atlanteans the size of three-year old children dressed in special aquatic gear who many years ago had the special task of greeting and feeding the fish. Following this legend, the Aqua Tots Program gives five children under 48 inches and at least three years old, an opportunity to relive this legendary experience every Tuesday through Saturday.

The whole reason behind offering this program is children under 48″ aren’t allowed to use the water slides here at Atlantis, so we wanted to try and develop a program … that’s exclusively for our little guests,” Amanda Felts, Director of the Guest Activities Department explained.
“In addition, we hope to bring the myth of Atlantis to life through an exciting, enjoyable and educational experience.”

Once the toddlers meet the program’s criteria and have registered, five names are chosen from all of the submitted entry forms and are notified by letter that they have been selected to be Aqua Tots.

The interactive feeding takes place in the Estuary Lagoon, home to baby fish, stingrays and starfish where an Atlantean will tell the Legend of the Aqua Tots. After the story, the child enters the lagoon with the Atlantean, in order to feed the fish. The experience lasts for approximately 20 minutes, during which the child touches, feeds and learns about the marine life in the lagoon.

Natasha Christie, Curator – Water Features Department, supervised the first group of children to begin the Aqua Tot program. Natasha was pleased with the response of the children and feels that this program will surely “blow away” the participants and serve to “dispel any fears” the children might have of the marine animals.

Elsie Frasier, Assistant Manager of the Discovery Channel Camp, said the program will help move parents and children to advertise the resort to friends and family, resulting in more visitors booking their stay in the Bahamas, with Atlantis.

Photo Caption: LITTLE SWIMMERS – Pictured feeding a starfish with Natasha Christie, Water Features Senior Aquarist are (from l to r) the Aqua Tots Lena Antin from Atlanta Georgia, Ryan Brennfleck, from New York and Mila Antin. Photo by Davinia Whitlock

Note: From The Nassau Guardian
http://www.nassauguardian.net/national_local/283285370544484.php