NorthBay Reflections – Intro
Every week at NorthBay, kids discover that vultures are more interesting than TikTok and it gives me hope. NorthBay is an outdoor school that’s been blending environmental education with social-emotional learning for 20 years. It’s time to share some thoughts and stories from the field because yes, the internet definitely needs one more opinionated blog. […]
Be Here Now: Seeing Children as Human Beings, Not Human Becomings
“Children are viewed more as human becomings than as human beings.” — Jens Qvortrup, Childhood Matters My daughter, Winden, and I were playing at a local park. A boy nearby watched us for a while, clearly itching to join in. Finally, with the confidence of a seven-year-old about to make a friend, he marched over and […]
It’s Not Camp—It’s Outdoor School: How NorthBay Is Different from a Summer Camp
Every year, as the weather warms and the school year winds down, we often hear the question: “So, is NorthBay a summer camp?” On the surface, it’s easy to see why: NorthBay leans into the best parts of a camp experience: new discoveries in nature, beauty, adventure, and shared experiences that lead to
Get Outside
Imagine a sixth grader from Maryland. She goes to school, spends her afternoons watching YouTube videos, and then after dinner hops on her PS5 to play games with friends. After doing some homework, she heads to bed, smartphone