About
Emerald Bay Outdoor Academy offers activities such as kayaking, archery, a hike to Parsons Beach, night snorkeling, and snorkeling through kelp forests. Students also observe marine organisms under microscopes and in touch tanks as part of the program’s hands-on experiences.
• Schedule: Program fees include boat transportation
• Price: Program fees include boat transportation
The Emerald Bay Outdoor Academy is a youth science education program based on Catalina Island with a curriculum focused on marine and earth sciences, character development, teambuilding, and outdoor skills. The program is operated by the Western Los Angeles County Council, Boy Scouts of America, and its programs are built upon the values and methods of Scouting. On-site programs use island phenomena for hands-on experiential learning, and all youth participate in a conservation project. Students participate in activities in their Animal Groups, which are the program’s version of the Scouting Patrol Method. Campership funds are available for support.
The Emerald Bay Outdoor Academy curriculum has had the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) and the core competencies of Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) woven into its curriculum since its inception in 2018. The Emerald Bay Outdoor Academy builds upon the 100-year legacy of Scouting at Camp Emerald Bay. The program’s mission statement is that the Emerald Bay Outdoor Academy inspires the next generation of environmental stewards. The location is historically stewarded by the Tongva people, and the staff recognize this historical stewardship and seek to approach current stewardship of the site with respect and care.
The Emerald Bay Outdoor Academy is operated with leadership from Joschi Anderson, Program Director, and Alix Fulham, Camping Department Sales Director. The program participates in the Catalina MPA Collaborative Network.
Student and teacher testimonials describe the experience at Emerald Bay Outdoor Academy. Ava, a student, said, “Emerald Bay took learning and made it fun, which is hard to do.” Emma, a student, described feeling closer to classmates, enjoying many fun activities, learning new things, and noted that staff were very helpful and that the food “was also great” with “great flavor” and served “fresh and warm.” Liam, a student, said, “Emerald Bay is so much fun, it teaches you to be a good contributor to the environment. It takes doing something serious into something fun! It makes your bunkmates feel like they are family, AND you might make new friends!” Noah, a student, said, “I was most looking forward to kayaking and archery, because they are things that you just don’t really get to do anywhere else.” Elijah, a student, said, “I loved the hike to Parsons Beach and night snorkeling!” Michael, a teacher, observed that “a lot of the students have been stepping out of the box to challenge themselves” and reported hearing students say they were “having more than that I thought” and “having a great time.” John, a teacher who has been coming for 5 years, said he looks forward to taking kids to experience “a lot of their firsts” at Emerald Bay, including their first time riding a boat, snorkeling, kayaking, and for many, being away from home.
Last updated June 29, 2026.
• Schedule: Program fees include boat transportation
• Price: Program fees include boat transportation
The Emerald Bay Outdoor Academy is a youth science education program based on Catalina Island with a curriculum focused on marine and earth sciences, character development, teambuilding, and outdoor skills. The program is operated by the Western Los Angeles County Council, Boy Scouts of America, and its programs are built upon the values and methods of Scouting. On-site programs use island phenomena for hands-on experiential learning, and all youth participate in a conservation project. Students participate in activities in their Animal Groups, which are the program’s version of the Scouting Patrol Method. Campership funds are available for support.
The Emerald Bay Outdoor Academy curriculum has had the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) and the core competencies of Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) woven into its curriculum since its inception in 2018. The Emerald Bay Outdoor Academy builds upon the 100-year legacy of Scouting at Camp Emerald Bay. The program’s mission statement is that the Emerald Bay Outdoor Academy inspires the next generation of environmental stewards. The location is historically stewarded by the Tongva people, and the staff recognize this historical stewardship and seek to approach current stewardship of the site with respect and care.
The Emerald Bay Outdoor Academy is operated with leadership from Joschi Anderson, Program Director, and Alix Fulham, Camping Department Sales Director. The program participates in the Catalina MPA Collaborative Network.
Student and teacher testimonials describe the experience at Emerald Bay Outdoor Academy. Ava, a student, said, “Emerald Bay took learning and made it fun, which is hard to do.” Emma, a student, described feeling closer to classmates, enjoying many fun activities, learning new things, and noted that staff were very helpful and that the food “was also great” with “great flavor” and served “fresh and warm.” Liam, a student, said, “Emerald Bay is so much fun, it teaches you to be a good contributor to the environment. It takes doing something serious into something fun! It makes your bunkmates feel like they are family, AND you might make new friends!” Noah, a student, said, “I was most looking forward to kayaking and archery, because they are things that you just don’t really get to do anywhere else.” Elijah, a student, said, “I loved the hike to Parsons Beach and night snorkeling!” Michael, a teacher, observed that “a lot of the students have been stepping out of the box to challenge themselves” and reported hearing students say they were “having more than that I thought” and “having a great time.” John, a teacher who has been coming for 5 years, said he looks forward to taking kids to experience “a lot of their firsts” at Emerald Bay, including their first time riding a boat, snorkeling, kayaking, and for many, being away from home.
Last updated June 29, 2026.
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