Many years ago John Erickson had the idea to create an outdoor learning environment to teach leadership skills and character development to public school students, particularly underserved youth. He searched on both public and private land to find the ideal location for this venture. In close collaboration with the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, a perfect waterfront property was located in the Elk Neck State Park alongside the northernmost reaches of the Chesapeake Bay.
In October 2002 the Maryland Board of Public Works unanimously approved a lease of 99 acres for the Erickson Foundation’s NorthBay project, launching an unprecedented public/private partnership. In 2005 NorthBay opened its doors as a premier environmental learning center and youth camp. This $33M award-winning learning, living, and group activity center was designed to minimize environmental impact, while enhancing the existing features of the property.
The primary mission of NorthBay is to inspire middle school students to realize that their attitudes and actions have a lasting impact on their future, their environment, and the people around them.
Approved Maryland Department of Education curricula are brought to life by science educators. The context that brings this learning together is the great outdoors. Visiting students have access to role models in a dynamic environment that encourages them to make decisions that will determine how they respond to life’s opportunities.
NorthBay can accommodate over 350 students each week in a four-day/five-night experience, with interactive learning as the foundation. The science faculty relies upon the IEEIA Model (Investigating and Evaluating Environmental Issues and Actions, developed in 1996 by Hungerford, Peyton, Ramsey and Volk).
This fifth through twelfth grade curriculum is comprised of six components focusing on topics such as coastal marine issues, endangered species, and solid waste. The IEEIA framework includes activities ranging from awareness to citizen action. The culminating learning opportunity is for students to develop an environmental action strategy for the issue that they’ve examined.
The teachers emphasize a hands-on approach and go beyond the science curriculum model: 40% of the instructional objectives center on math/science, 30% on social studies, and 30% on language arts. The goal is to leverage environmental issues to integrate what students learn about critical thinking. This also encourages students to investigate issues without bias to arrive at their own conclusions. The academic curriculum presents the latest science, incorporates the use of technology, and features an outdoor classroom approach. Five distinct ecosystems are available for study.
This is an extension of the students’ five-day experience at NorthBay. Students are able to keep in touch, which provides them with support and networking opportunities from their original visit through their high school graduation. Options include development or facilitation of schoolyard habitat projects, 2B Clubs, Follow-On assemblies, Maryland Green Schools certification, and curriculum integration back at the home school.
Working in conjunction with the science education program, the adventure program challenges students to step out of their comfort zone and face their fears. It consists of a high ropes course, kayaking in the bay, indoor and outdoor climbing walls, and four zip lines. It’s designed to be perceived as a set of high risks, yet is of very low actual risk.
There is a learning opportunity in every decision that a student makes, whether it’s to complete an entire ropes course or not to go down a zip line. The NorthBay adventure staff follows a principle of “Challenge by Choice,” encouraging and assisting students during the adventure activities but leaving the final decision to proceed to the student. This combination of positive social reinforcement and independent thinking empowers the students. The NorthBay team is a member of the Association of Challenge Course Technology and meets corollary industry standards.
NorthBay is occupied by diverse organizations that serve children and youth. Unparalleled facilities and high adventure program activities raise the bar for a truly worthwhile stay. Boating, canoeing, skiing, tubing, parasailing, ropes courses, rock climbing, and zip lines are just some of the fun-filled options.
For groups and organizations looking for a beautiful setting and built environment, there is no better place than NorthBay for team-building, strategic planning, or enrichment meetings. NorthBay is able to accommodate from 20 to 540 guests day or night, in a variety of configurations. NorthBay’s guest lodge, apartment-style dormitories, and cabins can address the needs and wants of most guests.
