Education in Action

Located along the Chesapeake Bay, NorthBay Adventure Camp is an immersive three-day program combining hands-on environmental science, adventure-based activities, and character development in a dynamic, real-world learning environment.

“It’s really this all-encompassing program that’s just embedded in an outdoor classroom space,” said Matthew Mandell, Coordinator of Secondary Math and Science for the School District of Lancaster.

Since its launch in 2019, the program has become a pillar of the sixth-grade experience at the School District of Lancaster. When Mandell assumed his role as coordinator, the program’s original grant concluded. Mandell sensed that retiring the program would negatively impact the school community. In 2025, the Community Foundation provided a grant to the Lancaster Education Foundation to sustain the program.

With 75% of students attending the trip each year, NorthBay Adventure Camp’s partnership with the School District of Lancaster promotes equity in education and creates a forum where students can experience the natural world. Every student is invited to participate, including those who may need special accommodation or modifications.

From the moment the bus arrives in North East, Maryland, students put their education into action and make connections with their sixth-grade curriculum.

“Instead of just reading about science in a textbook, our students are out in the field, testing water quality, working together to solve problems, and seeing firsthand how everything in nature connects,” said Ashli Scott, sixth-grade math teacher at E.R. Martin K-8 School. “Learning here is not just about memorizing facts, but about making real connections and understanding through hands-on experience. We are helping them become confident, caring people who know how to work with others and understand their place in the world.”

Throughout the camp experience, NorthBay intentionally creates opportunities for students to connect, collaborate, and support each other. Through adventure activities and cabin discussions, students strengthen communication skills, develop confidence, and practice teamwork.

“There’s something powerful about being outside together away from screens and school social pressures. Students learn to rely on each other, celebrate each other’s successes and navigate challenges as a team,” said Michael Regan, sixth-grade math teacher at Lincoln Middle School. “The bonding that happens in just a few days carries back to the classroom, improving collaboration and respect.”

NorthBay leaves a lasting impression on students and cultivates a strong community within the School District of Lancaster’s sixth-grade classes. Each year, students leave camp with new skills, an appreciation for the environment, and a genuine connection with their peers.

“It transforms the students,” Mandell said. “You can see it, from when the students step back in school until the end of the year.”