Ritz-Carlton Ambassadors of the Environment Creatures of the Night Inspires Tweens & Teens

3rd in a Multi-Post Series

What a whirlwind and fun mini vacation to the Ritz-Carlton Laguna Niguel in Dana Point, California it has been.  

In less than 24 hours, my kids and I not only played tennis, swam in the pool, lolled in the jacuzzi, built sandcastles on the beach, and worked out in the most picturesque gym with direct ocean views, we also witnessed the most exquisite sunset and sunrise ever.

Ritz-Carlton Laguna Niguel Sunset
Photo by Janis Brett Elspas, MommyBlogExpert



 

There is so much more to tell about all this.  That will have to wait for future posts, though,  because this story focuses on the Ritz-Carlton Laguna Niguel's Creatures of the Night event. This was presented via the seaside luxury five star hotel's Jean-Michel Cousteau's  Ambassadors of the Environment program during that same visit.

Kids Explore What's Inside Owl Pellets

Photo  Above by Ambassadors of the Environment Staff

Creatures of the Night, themed to tie in with Halloween, was an exclusive offering at the Dana Point location.  This customized learning program was made available to 8-16 year-olds in association with Ritz-Carlton's Ambassadors of the Environment, a partnership between the hotel and Jean-Michel Cousteau's Ocean Futures Society.  To say that this alliance is simply another green endeavor does not come anywhere near to doing it justice.   After we experienced the first ever Ambassadors holiday-centered program held, we realized that this was really so much more. 

Mini MommyBlogExpert Giggles at the Jelly Belly Taste Test
Photo Above by Janis Brett Elspas, MommyBlogExpert

The beautifully-designed Ambassadors of the Environment facility which just opened in June at the Ritz-Carlton Laguna Niguel features a state of the art environmental and cultural education center that brings forth a mind-boggling array of rotating fun, educational nature activities and excursions led by expert naturalists.  All these -- both those events coordinating with specific holidays like Halloween and those provided 7 days per week year-round -- are geared toward giving young and old a wonderful variety of hands-on ways to learn about Southern California's unique ecosystems.

Fossilized Cocoa Bean Leaf Sculptural Jelly Fish Lamp
Photo Above by Janis Brett Elspas, MommyBlogExpert

From kelp beds, the intertidal zone, sandy beach, terrestrial ecology, native cultures, and sustainable living concepts, there are always new things to learn about the area's regional environment.  The cause extends into the world at large, too.  Programming also demonstrates how what's happening locally connects to the larger global systems and why it's so important that we must take an active role in rehabilitating and preserving the environment for generations to come.  

The youth element of Ambassadors of the Environment, in particular, not only strives to teach kids about the natural environment we live in. It also is intended to empower the young with the tools and inspiration needed to take eco responsibility in their own hands and into the future.

Collin Keeps Score While One of the Kids Feels Inside the Box
Photo Above by Janis Brett Elspas, MommyBlogExpert

The opening evening Creatures of the Night program that my four teens (triplets, age 13, and big brother, 14) enjoyed began -- appropriately enough -- as the sun set over the Pacific Ocean.  The very creative, enthusiastic, friendly and knowledgeable Collin orchestrated the entire fast-paced evening for the bright-eyed young clientele under the watchful tutelage of Lyn Michelle Evins, director of Ambassadors of the Environment at Ritz-Carton Laguna Niguel.

The Kids Enjoy a Sunset, Ritz-Carlton Style
Photo  Above by #1 Elspas Son, MommyBlogExpert

Following an introductory indoor presentation about some rather unusual living creatures, the kids and their adventurous group leader headed to the Ambassadors' Outside Nature Center located in the property's indescribably lovely backyard perched on a bluff overlooking the surf below.  There, the night's group of 11, 12, 13, and 14 year-old boys and girls played games in the dark to challenge their senses such as Ghost Catcher and Echo Locator to learn more about how animals, such as dolphins and bats, communicate in different ways with each other.  Just after the outdoor games commenced -- as if on cue -- a wild bunny rabbit popped its head out of the lush landscaped border and frolicked across the lawn.

The Kids Interacting During the Shadow Show
Photo Above by Ambassadors of the Environment Staff

After the tweens and teens ran off some steam under the influence of the evening's fresh ocean air, everyone came back inside for a full schedule of more educational but fun activities including a shadow game show competition, a Harry Potter-style Jelly Belly tasting, and the opportunity to dissect owl pellets.  For another activity, participants were blindfolded to feel what's inside a box.  Using only their senses of smell and touch, even this particularly intelligent group had trouble identifying the really zany concoctions that the kitchen dreamt up to challenge them.

As the evening wound down, the kids devoured several delectable platters of beautifully presented organic fresh fruits and vegetables specially prepared and personally served to us by Chef Benjamin III with a side of his super secret Ranch Dressing.  The Ambassadors' Organic Menu offers kid-friendly, gourmet cuisine that just about any child will enjoy looking at as well as eating.  From such unique offerings as So Cal Fries: California avocado fries served with Bumble Bee mustard to Slippery Sliders: Vintage natural filet sliders, organic white cheddar, homemade pickles with Granny Smith apple slaw to Sea Otter Pops: A trio of citrus popsicles and seasonal berries, Chef Ben delights in preparing healthy fare for every child's palate.
 
Kid-Friendly Organic Vegetable & Fruit Presentations
Both Photos Above by Janis Brett Elspas, MommyBlogExpert

It's hard to believe that these youngsters experienced all this and learned so much in the space of a mere three short hours.  Seeing the Creatures of the Night after glow in my teens' eyes following this activity as well as hearing them continuing to talk excitedly about it upon our arrival home, solidified my first impressions about this novel concept.  Clearly, the Ambassadors of the Environment appears to be well-poised to become a long-term asset not only to the Ritz-Carlton Laguna Niguel and to the other two Ritz-Carlton properties offering this program, but also to family-friendly luxury travel in general.

No one could sum up that sentiment better than my 14 year-old son who -- referencing the Oscar-winning documentary An Inconvenient Truth -- said, "I think that the Ambassadors of the Environment just might be the next Al Gore."

Read More Posts On

Ritz-Carlton & Ambassadors of the Environment 

Ritz-Carlton Laguna Niguel Creatures of the Night Event
Jean-Michel Cousteau's Ambassadors of the Environment 

FTC Disclosure:  To facilitate MommyBlogExpert's multiple blogpost coverage of the Ritz-Carlton Laguna Niguel and its Ambassadors of the Environment, her family received hotel accommodations at The Ritz-Carlton Laguna Niguel, as well as passes to attend Creatures of the Night.  I did not receive any other payment or compensation associated with this post.  See complete FTC Disclosure information that appears at the bottom of MommyBlogExpert's main page and at the bottom of every individual post on this blog, including this one.

Creatures of the Night Fun at Ritz-Carlton in Southern California Starts Tonight

2nd in a Multi-Post Series

After several quite rainy days over the past month, it's a beautiful day here today in Southern California -- right now in the 70s.  As this post goes live we are off and on our way to the Ritz-Carlton Laguna Niguel in Dana Point for their special Ambassadors of the Environment Creatures of the Night program which opens tonight and runs nightly through Saturday, October 30th.

Photo Courtesy of Ritz-Carlton Laguna Niguel

Though we live less than two hours away from this Ritz-Carlton location, my family and I are looking forward to a really fun adventure as this will be our first time staying here.  From this picture the Ritz-Carlton graciously provided for this post, it looks to me that this five star hotel is located in one of the most picturesque areas along the Pacific Coast in the state of California.

The kids have a very busy schedule planned already.  Before the Creatures of the Night event starts tonight, we hope to play a set or two of tennis and swim in one of the two pools on property.  If time permits, we might also do the treadmill and of some other machines in the fitness center, too.  Then, we'll freshen up and have a light bite to eat before joining up with the other families who will attending the night's events which are also designed to challenge the senses.  Make a reservation and you and your own kids can attend this fun Ritz-Carlton Creatures of the Night programming is unique to the Laguna Niguel property which is located halfway between L.A. and San Diego. family-friendly activity, too. BTW, this year's

Read More Posts On

Ritz-Carlton & Ambassadors of the Environment 

Ritz-Carlton Laguna Niguel's Creatures of the Night Inspires Teens
Jean-Michel Cousteau's Ambassadors of the Environment 

FTC Disclosure:  To facilitate MommyBlogExpert's live Tweets during the activity and pre- and post-coverage of the actual event on this blog, her family will be receiving hotel accommodations at The Ritz-Carlton as well as Creatures of the Night passes to attend.  I did not receive any other payment or other compensation associated with this post.  See complete FTC Disclosure information that appears at the bottom of MommyBlogExpert's main page and at the bottom of every individual post on this blog, including this one.

5 Tips for How to Make Health Benefits Decisions in One Hour or Less

It's perfectly normal.  Everyone of us hopes that we'll always be healthy and so will our kids and other loved ones.  But, we all also know that the reality is that people do get sick and have accidents -- unfortunately sometimes very seriously.  In this day and age of rising medical costs, we need to always be prepared and make sure that our family has adequate coverage. 


Here's just some of what Aetna has to teach you to Be Smart About Your Health 

Family Health Maintenance is Every Parent's Responsibility 

Of course if you're sick you'll likely either rely on over the counter remedies and/or a visit to the doctor.  But, most of the time, if you are healthy you should always be cognizant of maintaining your family's good health by making certain that everyone gets the proper amount of nutrition, exercise, and rest.

Changes in Financial Status Can Impact Health Benefits and Coverage 

During times like today, where unemployment continues to hover at record highs across the U.S., especially in places like California where my families lives, a significant financial change -- such as an unexpected major expense, a reduction in salary or even a job layoff -- can wreak havoc on your family's health coverage.  As parents, we need to plan ahead to ensure that our kids are always protected in case of a negative financial situation.

Every Family's Health Benefits Needs Are Unique

No two families are alike.  There really is no such thing as one health benefit plan that fits all of us.  So when making health benefits decisions you need to consider what is most important to you and your kids.  Remember, this isn't the time to try and keep up with all those Jones families. 

It's In Your Best Interests to Prioritize Your Benefit Needs 
When deciding on what plan to use you'll need to analyze what's most important to your family's healthcare.  For example, do you want to have to option of having coverage when going out of the network of doctors included in your plan?  Do you have adequate optical and dental coverage for family members? What type of prescription coverage do you really require: generic or brand name only?  These and other questions should be considered when deciding what's right for you.

Periodic Health Benefit Reevaluation is Always a Wise Strategy

Since life is forever evolving, it's a good idea that each parent that's involved in making health benefits decisions for themselves and their kids should revisit their present benefits annually or as needed.  It's important to reassess your health benefits situation if there are major changes within the family structure such as birth, death, divorce, kids going off to college, castrophic illnesses, and a variety of other factors that might influence you to consider making changes to your plan.

Learn a lesson from one of the greatest people who ever lived and survived the world's greatest catastrophic event because he was planning ahead.  After all, it wasn't raining when Noah built his ark.

FTC Disclosure:  I wrote this blog post while participating in the TwitterMoms and Aetna blogging program, making me eligible to get a $30 Target gift card. For more information on how you can participate, click here.  I did not receive any other payment or compensation associated with this post.  See complete FTC Disclosure information that appears at the bottom of MommyBlogExpert's main page and at the bottom of every individual post on this blog, including this one.