The dreaded “summer slide” is well-known, but it’s not the giant water slide at your local theme park that comes to mind. Up to 84% of school-aged children experience a decline in skills like math and other core subjects when they return from summer break.
Recent research by Collaborative for Student Growth at NWEA, Portland, Oregon, challenges assumptions based on 30-year-old research and concludes that although there is still some loss of educational progress, it is not inevitable.
Researchers emphasize the need to prioritize understanding how to provide the most effective summer activities for different types of learners.
One approach that seems to benefit some families aiming to keep kids’ curiosity and learning fun high during the summer months involves the popular eco-friendly travel trend.
With exciting new hands-on, family-focused environmental programs available everywhere, from some of the best resorts in Mexico to remote, off-grid destinations, family travel is evolving into a memorable and educational experience that both kids and parents will enjoy.
Hands-on Learning
With 76% of travelers now seeking accommodations with accredited sustainability measures, eco-consciousness is no longer a niche interest but a necessity.
“Today’s travelers are increasingly knowledgeable about environmental issues and seek tourism options that support sustainability,” says Xavier Ulloa, Director of Marketing at Sandos Hotels & Resorts.
As sustainability becomes crucial for travelers, many forward-thinking destinations are involving guests in these efforts firsthand. Leading hospitality names are finding unique ways to engage guests in Earth-positive initiatives, such as coral farming programs, tree planting, and organic farming workshops.
These efforts are increasingly designed with young travelers in mind. Situated along the white sand coastline of Virgin Gorda in the British Virgin Islands, Oil Nut Bay offers a Ranger program that allows kids to participate in the eco-conscious initiatives at this luxury destination. Kids can earn a Ranger pin by completing activities like hikes, palm tree identification, and wildlife encounters.
Eco-Friendly, Family-Fun
Even all-inclusive beachfront resorts are finding innovative ways to provide an eco-friendly travel experience that sparks kids’ curiosity while offering a family-friendly environment for adults to enjoy.
An excellent example of this is Sandos Caracol Eco Resort, located on the pristine white sand beaches of the Riviera Maya in Mexico. The resort is one of the few eco-tourism all-inclusive hotels in Mexico, setting high standards for making sustainability initiatives a family-friendly affair.
The resort’s location makes it convenient for parents seeking a hassle-free vacation; it’s only a 30-minute drive from Cancun International Airport, one of the most well-connected airports in the Caribbean region. Parents will also appreciate the spa services, new dining destinations, and other relaxing amenities catered for adults.
However, what sets the resort apart are its eco-friendly, family-focused activities and entertainment options. Families can explore the sensory awareness trail, participate in the “plant a tree” activity, swim in the resort’s mangrove-lined jade river, or care for rescue animals at the on-site farm. These activities allow kids to contribute to the preservation of the country’s biodiverse areas.
Adventurous guests can swim in the property’s mystical cenote, a natural sinkhole with crystal-clear water. Swimming in cenotes is not only a popular activity in Mexico, but also a memorable lesson in geology, history, and physics that will stay with kids long after summer vacation.
Going Greener
The success of the resort’s eco-friendly focus has led Sandos Hotels & Resorts to expand its initiatives and capacity to offer them to families.
The group recently completed 336 nature-inspired and family-focused rooms at Sandos Caracol Eco Resort. “The renovated rooms and suites are part of the resort’s exclusive Eco Collection, featuring three categories of jungle-inspired accommodations set amidst the lush jungle landscape, ideal for families,” explained Ulloa.
This addition is part of a $20 million phased renovation and expansion project. Located near Caracol’s freshwater cenote and natural waterways, the suites are close to the resort’s resident spider monkeys, coatis, and exotic birds. Guests also have ample access to the property’s kid-centric pools and 29-slide water park.
In addition to Sandos Caracol Eco Resort, Sandos Hotels & Resorts have properties in several sought-after locations across Mexico. Popular beach destinations like Los Cabos, Playa del Carmen, and Cancun feature family-friendly Sandos resorts.
While the other resorts in the group may not be as eco-conscious as Sandos Caracol, all of them focus on creating a perfect environment for a family-oriented getaway along Mexico’s stunning beaches.
Multi-Generation Travel, Here To Stay
Multi-generational travel is expected to increase in the coming years. A recent IMG study found that 35% of travelers plan to take a domestic or international trip with multiple generations of their family in 2024.
The popularity of unique and diverse ways to involve kids in eco-friendly activities while on vacation is likely to improve over time and potentially reduce the impact of the dreaded “summer slide.”
