Equity, Inclusion and Diversity at Coastal Camp
Everyone has the right to explore and play in the outdoors; experience joy and connections; and discover their public lands, but not all young people have the opportunity. At NatureBridge, we work to increase access to our parks and we strive to create an experience that is inclusive and culturally relevant to all participants. That’s why Equity, Inclusion and Diversity is one of the three main strands, along with Science and Social and Emotional Learning that is woven into all of our programs.
Scholarships
Funded by donors, our scholarship fund provides need-based support to campers and families that lack the economic opportunity to participate in NatureBridge programs. Many of these students would not be able to explore our national parks without financial support. In 2021, we were able to increase our scholarships award by more than 100% to help more kids attend camp.
Our scholarships are open application to anyone in need of financial assistance. To help increase access to Coastal Camp and our National Park, we are expanding the schools and organizations we work with to reach a wider range of families and communities. If you work or volunteer for a program that we could partner with, please contact us.
Scholarship applications open in January along with registration. Click here for more information and to apply for a scholarship.
A More Diverse Staff
When campers see themselves reflected in their educators, connections are more easily formed. They learn better. This has a lasting impact on young people, especially those who have had little, if any, access to the outdoors—they come to understand that these parks are theirs and they feel empowered to explore and protect them. This is why at Coastal Camp, we put our efforts into recruiting and hiring a workforce that closes the gap separating students and educators.
Our Leader-in-Training and Counselor-in-Training programs are designed to recruit and empower teens from local communities who have faced historical and systemic barriers to entering the field of summer camp and outdoor education and consequently the workforce. We provide them with the tools to lead in actionable, concrete ways, empowering them to become the next generation of environmental stewards, educators, activists and enthusiasts.
