Protecting Our Environment: Starring the Next Generation

Our childrens’ resilience, innovation and imagination will determine what the world looks like in another fifty years.

The beauty of nature is that it doesn’t come with instructions or rules. In today’s high-pressure world, that’s incredibly liberating. Nature has an abundance of opportunities; climbing and building, imaginative play, art and crafts, problem solving or just relaxing and taking in the moment. Children are able to create and adapt their own games or experiences based on their surroundings, interests and company. All activities are carefully curated and our Play by COMO team are present at all times, which creates a safe, controlled environment for children to experience the wild.

Nature is an inspiring environment that helps children develop physical, cognitive, mental and emotional growth. Studies have shown that when children spend time in nature they tend to be happier and healthier. Their levels of stress usually decrease, and aggressive tendencies are reduced. Academic performance and concentration improve. With extra space to move, children become more physical, which enhances motor development and improves health.

A favourite activity is ‘Superhero Senses’ where children choose a sense and are encouraged to really focus on it, as they move around outside. It is magical to watch as they zone in on noises, textures, scents and finer details. They develop a greater sense of awe and appreciation for nature. 

We also like to encourage children to get their hands dirty — making worm farms and then feeding the worms with food scraps; making art with recycled materials; heading to the beach for treasure hunts to clear up any washed-up debris; gardening with the chef, then learning to cook with the fresh ingredients. It’s all good fun, but there are important subliminal lessons about caring for our planet. A child who’s been part of a Play by COMO programme will leave having made a positive difference, however tiny, to the environment.

We had the honour of former NASA Astronaut and artist, Nicole Stott and her team join us to lead this exciting Space Camp. Over two weeks wonderful memories were created for our guests, who immersed themselves in art-filled activities and space exploration stories, focusing on our role in protecting our planet. The children stargazed, decorated materials that could be quilted together to be used on art space suits, wrote postcards to be sent to space on future spaceflights, and went snorkelling with Stott, who spent 18 days living at an underwater laboratory as part of her spaceflight training.

Nicole brought her NASA jacket, which was a great hit with the children, as well as some real silver-wrapped astronaut food pouches for them to try. The children learned how salads are grown in space, as well as how to grow sustainable food on Earth. One of the most exciting projects was the children making a huge rocket from natural materials on Lavadhoo Island as part of ‘Space for a Better World’s Aim Higher project’. Coconut husks were used as windows, palm fronds as the fire shooting from the bottom of the rocket, and driftwood for the main frames. Everyone – children, families, astronaut – then lay on the ground making star shapes around the rockets, which was then photographed by drones from above. It was very special; we all felt so interconnected.

Over at Play, the children also used recycled materials to make their own rockets to launch into the air using vinegar and baking soda. I’ve never laughed so much when we tested how far the homemade rockets would fly. We’re very excited that we get to do it again this year!

As our first Space Camp in COMO Maalifushi last year was such a success, we are now opening up this unique experience to our guests at more of our hotels. In July this year, we have three properties lined up for an action-packed space-themed expedition. Stott and her team will be launching the first Island Astronaut Space Camp in COMO Point Yamu, Thailand, followed by COMO Uma Canggu, Bali. 

We will then be returning to COMO Maalifushi to welcome Egyptian citizen astronaut Sara Sabry for our final Space Camp. This is a wonderful opportunity for our families to learn from Stott or Sabry about space exploration, as well as gaining new insight into life as an astronaut. But this isn’t just for the kids - all games, activities, presentations and experiences offer something for the whole family.

We’re conscious that COMO Hotels and Resorts operates in environments where local children will often not have the same opportunities as our guests. During our Space Camp at COMO Maalifushi, we invited local school children from the neighbouring island of Guraidhoo to join in. It was more popular than we could have hoped, with over 130 children joining us over the course of the camp. Everyone pitched in together for the activities, and had the chance to speak to Nicole about her work. It was deeply inspiring for us all to be with an astronaut filled with so much passion for her work, and hear the story of her determination to reach the stars. We were all reminded to dream big, regardless of background, whether you live on a tiny island in the Maldives or the heart of New York City. 

We encourage families to join our outdoor activities. I’ve noticed that children tend to interact really well with their siblings and parents when they’re all participating. It gives them extra zest for exploring the islands, asking questions about flora, fauna and wildlife, and sharing what they have found, as well as being inspired to create new memories.

When teaching children about protecting our planet, it’s vital that they have
moments in the wild. The more time they spend surrounded by the natural world, the more they will develop a relationship with it, an understanding of it, and ultimately care for it. With each child that passes through Play by COMO, I see the potential of a bright future for our planet.