Cinnamon’s kids club launches city naturalist award at Cinnamon Lakeside

Cinnamon Nature Trails in collaboration with Cinnamon Lakeside Colombo will be launching its latest edutainment program for children this May. The City Naturalist Award is designed to inspire children to be passionate about nature and conservation in the city of Colombo. This is the first initiative of the Cinnamon Nature Trails Kids Club in Colombo.

Whilst teaching children about nature in the city, the program also focuses on developing environmental awareness and nature based knowledge in children. The Cinnamon team takes a well rounded approach by honing additional skills such as team work, leadership, creativity, photography, public speaking and communication skills. The City Naturalist Award has been created for children aged nine to 15 years but enthusiastic children of all ages are welcome.  

Conducted by leading experts in the field of ecotourism, this award provides an opportunity for your child to learn from some of the best naturalists in the country. Cinnamon Nature Trails won ‘Best Nature and Wildlife service provider’ at the Sri Lanka Tourism Awards in 2011 and is considered a leader in ecotourism.

The team conducting the lessons will comprise of naturalists who have worked with prestigious organisations such as National Geographic and BBC as well as a variety of renowned wildlife experts such as Angela and Jonathon Scott, Amos Nochoum and Dr. Charles Anderson.

The award consists of three lessons, each with a different focus on nature. The first lesson, ‘Celebrate nature,’ will focus on teaching children to appreciate the variety of flora and fauna found in the city. Children will participate in an art and craft session and learn basic photography.

The second lesson, ‘Learn about nature,’ will include an educational talk followed by a detailed study of birds and butterflies found in Colombo. Children will have the opportunity to make their own ID kit and participate in group presentations highlighting what they have learnt.

The final lesson, ‘Share nature,’ will include a field trip to a nearby Cinnamon estate, where children will be able to conduct assessed nature walks drawing on all the knowledge they have acquired in previous lessons. Adult supervision is provided for all three lessons by team members with extensive experience working with children and school groups.

The City Naturalist Award will take place on Sunday, 19 May 2013; the first and second lesson will be conducted from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The final lesson will be conducted on Sunday, 9 June from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Children are advised to attend all three lessons to complete the award successfully and obtain their City Naturalist Award and Badge.  

John Keells Hotels Ecotourism and Special Projects Head Chitral Jayatilake, who heads the Cinnamon Nature Trails team advises: “The City Naturalist Award program is designed to inspire young children to observe, admire and study the bio diversity that is prevalent around the urban areas of Sri Lanka. The program will encourage kids to see beyond the ordinary and identify simple differences in species, diversity and nature’s intricate balance on which all life forms thrive.”

The program of three lessons is available at only Rs. 7,600 per child inclusive of all learning materials, snacks, refreshments and field trip transport. The team can be contacted on 0770 221 321, 2306816 or at [email protected], for further information and registrations. With limited slots available for the program, an early reservation is advised.