Today staff from the Doubletree Hotel San Jose CARE Committee visited Bachrodt Elementary school to get the children more familiar with the trees of California. Along with volunteers from our hotel vendor, Medallion Landscaping Management, we presented to two 5th grade classes and answered all kinda of questions on the who, what, where, when, and why of trees…boy did they have some good questions.

The kids even got to plant their own California redwood seedling to take home which they can eventually transplant into their backyard. They were very excited to care for their new trees and show them off to mom and dad! Not only did we give them trees we of course spoiled them with a Doubletree milk and cookies break.

This activity was a part of the Doubletree Brand “Teaching Kids to CARE” bi annual program.

Last week team members from our CARE and Think Green committees visited Reed Elementary School in South San Jose. We spent the afternoon with a classroom of third graders teaching them the importance of taking care of our earth. We focused on recycling and discussed what the students and their families can do to help save energy in their homes and the community. The class then got to decorate recycled containers and plant some flower seeds in them to take home to remind them about what they had learned. Of course couldn’t leave without providing them with a signature Doubletree cookie break complete with ice cold milk!

(Assistant Front Desk Manager Daniel Torres talks to the kids about the leaves while helping them create their class tree)

As part of our continued effort to encourage students to connect with nature and explore the great outdoors, Doubletree Hotel San Jose teamed up with the Kindergarten classes at Reed Elementary school in San Jose on November 14th. Our goal was to inspire kids to view the environment more positively and understand how nature is vibrant and alive in our neighborhoods. Students participated in a fun lesson on the lifecycle of a leaf and why they change color in the fall. They also created and decorated their own leaves in order to compose a class tree to remember their experience. By thinking globally and acting locally, we can all make a difference in the world we live in!

When the children were asked about their favorite part, we got a variety of answers ranaging from – “My favorite part was learning about trees”…”making the tree,” “eating the cookie”, “the chip doll” Everyone had fun! When the class was asked “What time of the year do leaves fall off the trees?” One student replied, “at about 6:45″.

Additional information about the Doubletree’s Teaching Kids to CARE fall initiative and the hotel brand’s commitment to environmental education and awareness can be found at www.doubletree.com/thinktrees.