Reaching out . . . outside
That approach is just one aspect of NorthBay’s strategy on how to impact kids at what research shows is their most influential age. Throughout the week, students learn to relate environmental issues to real life decisions. Each day’s theme—invasive species, filters, degraded conditions, and taking action—helps educators convey the underlying message and helps students grasp it.

For example, at the end of the first day’s lesson, educator Shawn poses a question to his campers: “We talked about invasive species, things that take over ecosystems. What are invasive species that could be in your lives?” Amid answers like aliens and machines, some kids really get the point.

Guns.

Violence.

Drugs.

These problems may seem too grown-up for sixth graders, but in reality many young kids face them every day. The next day, NorthBay educators expose students to filters in the environment, like wetlands, then relate that concept to how the kids can do the same thing for their lives that wetlands do for the environment.

“A filter is something that cleans or helps. It tells if you are doing the right thing or the wrong thing. It guides you to what you want to be. I would have to say everyone at NorthBay is a filter to me,” Danielle Rosales says on NorthBayLive.net, an interactive website developed for students to stay involved once they return home.

Action-packed and empowered
The students’ week at NorthBay culminates on Thursday, a day of action. Some clean up the beach, some pull invasive species of grasses, and others recycle a week’s worth of camp garbage. But the intention for day four is to teach problem solving and empower campers to take action in their classroom or community.

“We try to teach our students to be problem solvers, for any difficulties in life—whether they be personal, school related, or environment related. It doesn’t really matter to us as long as they’re trained on how to investigate that problem and solve it,” says Keith Williams, NorthBay’s educational director.

Expressing the camp’s underlying message, Williams says, “We spend quite a bit of time empowering them, showing them that they do have the ability to make the right kinds of choices in life.”

The power of Toobie
The last night, just like the past three, campers gather in the state-of-the-art theater to watch the last clip from Toobie. The NorthBay Films production features Toobie, a fictional inner city boy who represents an important underlying message.

“The idea behind Toobie is you have the power to be. You’ve got the power to fix problems in your community. You’ve got the power to become a great scientist, a great politician, a great leader, a great whatever you want to be. The key is making the right choices to get you there,” says Williams.

Once students leave NorthBay, they can stay involved by visiting NorthBayLive.net, an interactive website that helps bring the NorthBay experience back home and into the classroom. Here are some recent responses students posted: Sarah R., 12 “A filter is something that takes the bad things out of its environment. For example, a filter inside a fish tank takes out all the dirty water. P.S. I miss NorthBay and I just left today . . . Kalvin and Keith, you guys rock.” Adriana Zavala, 11 “A filter is anyone that is there for you and helps you make good choices. For example, your mom can be a filter, even your dad also! They tell you what is bad and what is wrong, [and] right. I want to thank the staff and the people who helped me make right choices.” Jason, 12 “I just wanted to thank you guys for all of the great things you taught me while I was there. It was really fun. It was one of the greatest experiences I have ever had in my life. So thanks again Mike and the NorthBay staff.” Tionna, 13 “Toobie put a big difference in my life, especially on what choices need to be made. I love the whole cast of Toobie.”

Next month, the Tribune will follow Carole Highlands Elementary’s sixth graders into the classroom to see if NorthBay’s message really “sticks,” and the choices these students are making to be.