Sandals Foundation Takes Students on Mindfulness Nature Trail for Earth Day
OCHO RIOS, St. Ann, April 28, 2026
Students of Chalky Hill Primary School joined over 300 children across nine Caribbean islands who stepped out of the classroom and into nature on Earth Day, as the Sandals Foundation rolled out a Caribbean-wide guided mindfulness programme designed to build environmental awareness and support mental well-being.
The activity, which took place on the grounds of Sandals Dunn’s River Resort, enabled students to connect directly with the natural ecosystem by engaging in breathing exercises, nature walks, sensory observation, and discussions through the resort’s gardens. The programme also sought to reinforce the role of nature in healing the body and mind, as well as explore the everyday actions young people can take to protect their natural resources.
(Students of Chalky Hill Primary School receive an introduction to the resort’s natural landscape during a guided Earth Day mindfulness tour at Sandals Dunn’s River. Addressing students is Peta-Gay McLeary assistant landscaping manager at Sandals Dunns River.)
“By combining mindfulness with environmental education, we wanted to encourage students to slow down, be present, reflect, and appreciate the beauty of nature which is around them,” says Heidi Clarke, Executive Director at the Sandals Foundation.
Coordinated by Sandals Foundation Ambassadors and led by Ian Spencer, Regional Public Relations Manager, the experience was deeply impactful for the children.
“The students responded with tremendous excitement, curiosity, and enthusiasm throughout the nature tour. Seeing them actively engage with the environment, ask thoughtful questions, and develop a greater appreciation for the importance of protecting our planet was truly inspiring,” Spencer said.
(Students engage in sensory observation, exploring native flora as part of a hands-on environmental learning experience.)
Student Othneil Gayle spoke of his experience with excitement. “It was exciting to explore nature with my classmates, and now I want to help keep the Earth clean and beautiful for everyone,” said Othneil.
Christine Badal McBean, Principal of Chalky Hill Primary School, said, “Earth Day is more than a celebration—it is a reminder that our children are the future guardians of our planet. Our nature tour allowed students the opportunity to connect with nature, appreciate the beauty of our environment, and understand the importance of protecting it for generations to come. Experiences like these inspire young minds to become responsible, environmentally conscious citizens”.
More than 300 students across Antigua, Barbados, St. Vincent & the Grenadines, Grenada, The Bahamas, Turks and Caicos Islands, Curacao, and Jamaica visited national parks, mangrove forests, Beaches Resorts gardens, and or national conservation areas, fostering a disengagement from digital devices and allowing time to decompress and connect with nature.
