New KIDS for the BAY Staff!

In September we increased our capacity by hiring four new Program Directors. We are thrilled about the new ideas and experiences they bring to KftB.

(From left to right in photo)

Mandi Billinge, our Executive Director, is excited about this new phase of growth for KftB. Her goal is to maintain the quality of our work as we increase the quantity.
Krystal Robinson Justice, Program Director, comes to KftB with experience working in social justice nonprofits, a teaching credential from New College of California and a B.A. from Harvard University.
Kristina Cervantes-Yoshida, Program Director and East Bay native, has a history of working with children and received her undergraduate degree in biology and marine science from Smith College.
Anthony DeCicco, Program Director, comes to KftB with a diverse and varied teaching background. He is currently in the Master's Program in Education at CSU Hayward.
Shefali Shah has been promoted to Education Director. This year she completed her Masters Degree in Teaching from New College of California and celebrates her 4th year with KftB.
Keturah Ashfield, Program Director, has a background in outdoor education with the National Park Service and is an Oberlin graduate with a degree in Environmental Studies.
Sheela Shankar is beginning her 4th year at KftB, now as an Education Director. She is studying for her Master's Degree in Education at CSU Hayward.

For more information please visit the "About Us" page.

New KIDS for the BAY Programs!

This year we are developing two exciting new programs that use hands-on activities and action projects to teach the latest science standards and increase critical thinking and student centered learning.

Watershed Action Program
This program is for fourth grade teachers and students throughout Contra Costa County and is funded by a new contract with the Clean Water Program. Lessons will teach students about the biology and chemistry of their local watershed, pollution and environmental justice issues. Students will take environmental action to:

• Plant trees and wildflowers
• Monitor water quality
• Raise and release Pacific Chorus Frogs
• Interview local politicians about environmental health and justice issues
• Present safe bay fish cooking demonstrations to families
• Educate peer classes about watershed pollution issues and personal environmental action.

Four R's Program
In partnership with Alameda County Waste Management Authority & Recycling Board, our students and teachers will learn to reduce, reuse, recycle and rot in order to reduce the waste stream from our schools and decrease trash entering our waterways.

For more information please visit the "Programs" page.


Summer Camp 2004

In 2003 we added a new camp for 8 – 10 year old students. In this week long Aquatic Science Adventure Camp students take a boat trip on the San Francisco Bay and study the animals and plants living in the open water. They complete detailed investigations of bay-estuary and creek habitats, including water quality testing and they learn how to take action to help solve some of the issues affecting their local environment. Camp sites include Berkeley Marina, Point Richmond Beach, Wildcat Creek and Lake Anza.

Our younger students, ages 5 – 7 years enjoy fishing for crabs, catching waterstriders, studying damselfly nymphs, experimenting with estuary water, plant art, nature hikes and games. Camp sites include Berkeley Marina, Jewel Lake, Strawberry Creek and Lake Anza.

In 2003 our camps sold out very early in the year and we had waiting lists for every session. In 2004 we will add another week of camp to make a total of four sessions. The dates for this year are:

5 - 7 years: 6/14 – 6/18 and 7/5 – 7/9
8 - 10 years: 6/21 – 6/25 and 7/12 – 7/16

Go to the "Summer Camp" page to download an application for summer 2004 or call (510) 985-1602 to receive an application in the mail.

Places are allocated on a first come, first served basis; please apply early to ensure your place.


KIDS for the BAY BAEER Fair Workshop

On January 31, 2004, KIDS for the BAY led a workshop at the Bay Area Environmental Education Resources Fair. The workshop title was Watershed Awareness and Environmental Justice. Participants had the opportunity to create a model of the San Francisco Bay Estuary watershed, explore bay food chains, investigate fish and crabs from the bay and study leaders in the environmental justice movement. They watched the KIDS for the BAY video and learned how our students become leaders in their local environments and take action to clean up and restore local creeks, address watershed environmental health and justice issues, reduce pollution and teach safe bay fishing and cooking techniques. Below are some of the things that participants wrote on their evaluation forms about the KftB workshop.

"I was impressed by how engaged your students become in the lessons and how much responsibility they are given. I think this will stimulate me to give my students more credit and let them be more proactive in their education."

-- Olivia

"This workshop focused on excellent, hands-on activities that encourage critical thinking about how people interact with their environment."

-- Aariel Rowan

"I was inspired by the idea of empowering kids to communicate with businesses and political leaders about environmental justice."

-- Susie Joyce

"I really enjoyed the hands-on approach in this workshop. I am now planning to arrange field trips to Glen Park Canyon and work with my children to investigate that environment."

-- Eden Stein