Vision
A world in which people make ethical choices over their lifetime.
Mission
The Emerald Bay Outdoor Academy inspires the next generation of environmental stewards.
Values
Lifelong Learning
When youth board the boat at the end of the week and begin their voyage home, their educational journey is far from over. In fact, it is just beginning. Our fun and engaging curriculum and memorable location provide a spark of inspiration for lifelong learning. We do not simply download information and tell youth what to think; instead, we tap into their curiosity and help them learn how to think, communicate, and apply their knowledge and experiences in their classrooms, communities, and the world.
Campiness
Our programs are chock-full of opportunities to have fun and make memories. Whether it is the games built into the curriculum, youth acting in their first campfire skit, or an unpredictable silly moment with the Naturalists, we encourage everyone to express their campiness! The environmental work ahead of us is challenging, so being campy helps us stay positive and make it fun!
A Scouting Foundation
The Emerald Bay Outdoor Academy program is built upon the values and methods of Scouting. The objectives of Scouting are character development, leadership development, citizenship training, and personal fitness. These are integrated into our program fabric through Social and Emotional Learning, outdoor activities, and focus on environmental stewardship. In addition, students participate in activities in their Animal Groups, which is our version of the Scouting Patrol Method. Students also learn how to join Scouting when they return home.
Stewardship and Environmental Justice
The health of our planet and population depends on actions taken presently and in the very near future to reduce our human impact. Our curriculum does not sugar-coat this urgency however it is solution-focused, highlighting real-world examples of environmental success stories such as the banning of DDT, the saving of the Catalina Island Fox, and the efficacy of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) for restoring the ocean. We take active measures to reduce our impact and steward the land and sea at Camp Emerald Bay through Leave No Trace principles, waste and water-use reduction efforts and participation in the Catalina MPA Collaborative Network. In addition, all youth participate in a conservation project.
Equity and Inclusivity
Outdoor education and recreational opportunities have traditionally been available overwhelmingly to only those with access to disposable income, transportation, facilities, and equipment, and therefore there is a vast racial and socioeconomic disparity. An equitable future means we work to reduce those barriers and ensure our program model is adaptable, culturally relevant, and financially sustainable. Our program fees, which include boat transportation, offer incredible value, and Campership funds are available for an added layer of support. Even still, youth participants may have vastly different experience and comfort level with outdoor activities. Our Naturalists are trained in the core competencies of Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) and take proactive efforts to create a welcoming and encouraging environment, whether it is a student’s first or fiftieth time participating in one of our activities. We always welcome and appreciate input on how to best support specific groups and participants.
Who We Are
The Emerald Bay Outdoor Academy is a youth science education program based on Catalina Island and operated by the Western Los Angeles County Council, Boy Scouts of America. Our mission is to inspire the next generation of environmental stewards through overnight science programs built upon the values and methods of Scouting.
Our Approach
Our dynamic and diverse community of educators seek to create unparalleled science-based adventures and high-impact learning opportunities with the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) and the core competencies of Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) woven into the fabric of our curriculum since inception in 2018.
On-site programs on Catalina Island offer hands-on experiential learning and take advantage of the unique location of Camp Emerald Bay. Youth learn by engaging with island phenomena: snorkeling through kelp forests, kayaking to pelican-covered cliffs, and observing marine organisms under microscopes and in touch tanks in the Pennington Marine Science Center.
The Emerald Bay Outdoor Academy builds upon the 100-year legacy of Scouting at Camp Emerald Bay by using the values and methods of Scouting as a program foundation. The invitation to experience this unparalleled location and learn new skills is now extended to school groups with special efforts in place to include and support those from communities that have been historically excluded from outdoor education program opportunities.
Land and Cultural Acknowledgement
The location of Camp Emerald Bay has historically been stewarded by the Tongva, the native residents of Catalina Island, originally known as Pimu. Their caretaking of the island and surrounding waters for over 8,000 years left minimal environmental impact. The Tongva were forcibly removed from their ancestral lands on the Channel Islands up until the 1820’s to mainland Los Angeles. However, the resilient Tongva community has been actively maintaining and strengthening their connection to the Island, researching their history, and telling their stories through efforts such as the Pimu Catalina Island Archaeological Field School and the Ti’at Society. The staff of the Emerald Bay Outdoor Academy recognize our context within this history and therefore seek to approach our current stewardship of this culturally significant site with profound respect and care.
