Situated on the shore of the Chesapeake Bay, the NorthBay Adventure Center includes various outdoor and indoor recreational facilities, and offers a mix of environmental education, adventure and character development activities. Researchers have evaluated the impact of five-day NorthBay residential programs on urban (mostly African American) and rural middle-school students. NorthBay staff administered pre/post-experience and follow-up (three-months delayed) surveys to 1313 students. The authors found a significant positive short-term effect on students’ character development and leadership; environmental responsibility, and attitudes toward school. “Three month delayed posttests indicate retention of significant gains in character development and leadership and environmental responsibility, while gains in school-related outcomes faded. Urban students responded more positively to the NorthBay program than did students from suburban and rural areas.”
SOURCE: Stern, M. J., Powell, R. B., & Ardoin, N. M. (2011). Evaluating a constructivist and culturally responsive approach to environmental education for diverse audience. The journal of environmental education, 42(2), 109-122.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00958961003796849