FastForward | March - April 2023

FastForward SUMMER CAMPS

Campers hiking at Coastal Camp

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STRAWBERRY POINT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

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DID YOU KNOW?

Did you know that placing compostable items like food scraps and paper napkins into the trash affects climate change? When compostable items break down in a landfi ll, it creates methane gas. According to the EPA, “methane gas is 25 times more effi cient at trapping radiation than carbon dioxide over a 100 year period.” That’s why our Green Team tries hard to sort everything to the correct places. By properly sorting our waste and being conscientious about food waste, we can help combat climate change.

Green Team students say: “Our jobs are important because we work to make sure all people’s trash in our school goes to the right place. It’s important for us to learn, so we can inform others. A small change is a change. At Strawberry Point, we are one of the closest schools to the bay and our Green Team helps to keep trash from getting into the ocean. We help others learn where to put their trash to make the world a better place. Having a green team at SP is important for the environment and to help educate others. As members of the Green team, we help sort the trash because — ‘One wrong ingredient ruins the whole batch’.”

Teachers — Danny Gasparini and Lulu Monti

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The Good Earth

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PUBLISHER: Winifred MacLeod

ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER: Maxine Flasher-Duzgunes winifred@fastforwardweb.com

O: 415.256.8920 M: 415.272.3569

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS: Alex Atherton, Caleb Blum, Brooks Beau Beyer, Zach Candell, Sawyer Chisholm, Grace Davidson, Nathan Dovbish, Malhar Dev, Jupiter Esmail, Amy Flores, Luca Fondnazio, Siena Forster, Dylan Gotlieb, Jared Gualding, Ryan Gundersen, Avery Gunst, Mason Hellar, Hannah Hirschbein, Ivory Hollingsworth, Inara Thai, Ryen Jatsek, Sabine Khan, Annabel Kidd, Ellie La, Skylar Lariviere, Henry Lee, Remy Leibowitz, Lucy Levine, Audrey Lowell, Izzy Marsh, Soleil Matli, Daniel May, Alexander Mercer, Cole Morris, Tessa Mussallem, Lisa Noble, Ethan Redlin, Kaz Rubel, Sadie Saavedra, Sophia Specht, Emerson Swift, Willow Thelin, Ella Tsai, Ellie Walker, Yoga Weng, Leyla Winton and Taylor Woodley

CONTRIBUTING ARTISTS: Clea Jimenez Donovan, Carl Fassberg, Sydney Gustke, Elliott Harrison, Jacqueline Velasquez Hernandez, Maria Keane, Hadassah Krieger, Noah Lewis, Tegan Mack and Kanaru Nakao

1

ART PAGE San Rafael High School GARDEN OF THE

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24 RUNNING A BUSINESS KK SWAPS ...Students take Action 22 Contact Winifred MacLeod @415-272-3569

winifred@fastforwardweb.com and

Mrs. Ferner’s 5th Grade class has partnered with Ms. Erica Hohman (Kindergarten)

12 Corte Madera

Summer Fun... and lifelong memories

Laugh, play music, create, build something, explore new places, make new friends, ride a horse, sing songs... Do what you love.

MOUNTAIN CAMP

By Nathan Dovbish 5th Grade, Cove School

“Dad! When are we going to be there?” Driving up through the mountains toward Mountain Camp, I was a little bit nervous. It was going to be my first time at sleepaway camp. I knew it would be fun.

“Mom, when will we be there?” I said from the backseat. “26 more minutes.” “Yay!” I replied. When we arrived, there was a line of cars waiting to check in. I saw my friend in a car ahead of me and that made me feel even more excited. Once we got through checkin, a counselor led me to my cabin group. I found my school friends and met the other kids from my cabin. They were playing card games and I joined in. “The fun begins!” I thought to myself. I couldn’t have been any more right.

I had a blast at Mountain Camp. There are so many fun water activities such as tubing, kayaking, shore activities and more. There are many other activities such as outdoor cooking, ropes course, archery, and lots of people like Larping. Larping stands for Live Action Role Playing — kids dress up and act out scenes including fighting with plastic swords and stuff. We also do cabin activities we vote on or our counselors choose a fun activity for the whole cabin.

The food is fantastic! We have amazing meals like spaghetti, pizza, sloppy joes, potatoes, eggs and even fruit loops. If you don’t like something or you have an allergy, you can get gluten free or vegetarian. If you just simply dislike a meal, they have a salad bar or in the morning a cereal bar with cheerios and frosted flakes.

All of the activities are fun but one of the most popular ones is the ropes course. It’s a huge outdoor wood/ netting course that can go up to 35 feet in the air! It may look scary from the ground but you are attached to a rope above head so there is nothing to worry

about. Archery is another really fun activity at Mountain Camp. They set up two sides with multiple targets and you have an opportunity to get your first bullseye. Archery was one of my favorites and I made it a competitive game with friends. You can also play court sports like basketball or dodgeball.

The water activities at Mountain Camp are so much fun. During my week there, I went tubing, kayaking and fishing and I even caught a Rainbow Trout! At Mountain Camp, if you catch a fish, the kitchen will cook it for you and your cabin can eat the fish at dinner. It was yummy!

One thing I didn’t do at camp, but some of my friends did, was the polar swim. Polar swim is a super early morning swim in the lake and you get hot cocoa after. Maybe I’ll do it this summer!

Every night we did evening program. Some evenings the campers would do performances and skits and other nights we did campfire where we would sing campfire songs, the counselors would do funny skits, and we all had fun.

Mountain Camp was a lot of fun, and I was sad to leave. To this day my friends and I still talk about the times we had. We are all excited to return this summer! Mountain Camp rules!

GOLD ARROW CAMP

By Caleb Blum, 6th Grade Marin Country Day School

Gold Arrow Camp doesn’t feel like sleep away camp it feels like a second home. Everyone is included and belongs at camp; your counselors want to help you.

My favorite time of year is as soon as school gets out. I know I’m going to camp soon. I love being at camp for a whole month because I get to be with some people for a little while (the first two-week session) and some for longer (both sessions). I get to be with a new cabin each session. It feels cool to be in a cabin because you get to spend time with other people, and you get to know people you’d never meet otherwise. I asked my parents if I could go for two sessions because I felt like two weeks was not enough. On the last day of camp, I’m always so sad to leave and I can’t wait to go back. I start thinking about going to camp again as soon as I get home.

I was seven the first time I went to camp. When I came home, I was eight. Camp makes a big deal out of birthdays. At dinner you feel special because they give you a giant cake and the counselors lift you up on a chair. Celebrating my birthday at camp was a new experience and a different way to celebrate.

I really like the environment on Huntington Lake. I like the climate because it’s warm during the day and cold at night so you can bundle up. I love that it’s by a lake because this opens up so many activities, like pontooning and waterskiing and knee boarding. I also love the counselors because they’re always there for you and they feel more like older siblings than like parents. The counselors don’t force things on you they are cool with everything.

One time the counselors really helped me was when I was homesick. My first year I remember I was missing my parents so much; everybody was missing their parents. Every night Bravo, our counselor, would go to everyone’s bunk and ask do you want a hug, a high five or a handshake. We could choose how much support we needed. It was so nice.

Gold Arrow campers head out on a backpacking excursion.

Mountain Campers celebrate sunset.

On a normal day at camp your counselors wake you up and you go to breakfast with your cabin. The food at camp is delicious. They know what kinds of food kids like, and they always have lots of choices. Then you go to activities with your cabin. I like that you do activities with your cabin because you feel like a family by the end of camp. I like all the activities. I especially love high ropes because I get to be high up and then I get to jump off and it feels like I’m floating.

I can’t wait to go back to Gold Arrow Camp.

Checking out the California newts

COASTAL CAMP

by Ellie La

5th

Grade, The Hamlin School

Coastal Camp is a fun and safe environment in the Marin Headlands where anyone from anywhere can feel at home. At Coastal Camp there are so many picturesque trails that you can hike, such as Hill 88 or going down to Rodeo Beach. The view while hiking is breathtaking and incredible. Seeing waves crashing and pelicans flying above the lagoon or staring down at small people walking by are rewards for the hike. Sometimes we go very high up hills. Sometimes we will go on long hikes, and, depending on

what group or day it is, you may even get to relax at the camp base and hang out in the grove or on the beach.

Coastal Camp is part of a non-profit organization called NatureBridge, which provides overnight, hands-on environmental science programs to school groups at several national parks. NatureBridge is the largest educational partner of the National Park Service. Coastal Camp takes place at NatureBridge’s campus at the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. Coastal Camp takes you all around the Marin Headlands and sometimes out of the Marin Headlands, too. For example, during the DeepSea themed week, we went sailing in Sausalito.

I loved that we got to see lots of wildlife like newts. You will also get moments to yourself and enjoy some guided meditation. Coastal Camp is all about nature and spending time in nature. Meditation and quiet time really make that happen for you. Every morning we sing the Coastal Camp song and get hilarious entertainment from one or two counselors. Some counselors have names associated with nature like Glacier or Mercury, etc.

Every day at Coastal Camp is fun and fulfilling. In the morning/afternoon care times there are games and activities for everyone who signs up. Some of the activities are friendship bracelet braiding (which

COASTAL CAMP 2023

Rock Climbing at Gold Arrow Camp

you can make for your friends) and assortments of board games.

My favorite part about Coastal Camp was hiking to Victory Point, a stunning hill and a steep yet fun hike. Our group ate lunch at the very tippy top of Victory Point. Both weeks at Coastal Camp I was a part of a group called the Red-Tailed Hawks. You can be divided into different groups by age.

Coastal Camp has lots of little traditions like singing the Coastal Camp song every morning and wearing wood cookies, which are these necklaces made of little slices of wood that you can decorate and write your name on, in place of a name tag. Everyone will know your name! It is especially helpful for the counselors to remember your name and to help you make friends!

Some games we played as a group are Toxic River, Camouflage, Beckon, and Eagle Eye. Those are only some of the games we played! Every week expect new and fun adventures to come. That’s something I love about Coastal Camp. Plans and the future are always changing, and so will your adventure. Every day comes with a new excitement and a package of learning on the side. I really enjoyed adventuring with Coastal Camp and a bunch of friends.

Take charge and be independent. You will definitely make friends!

CAMP WINNARAINBOW

by Willow Thelin Senior, Tamiscal High School

I wake to the sound of a conch shell sounding loud and long, radiating the entire Tipi circle with its familiar sound. I stretch my arms, think of the hot cocoa I will soon have, and I know it’s going to be a lovely day. I breathe in the brisk morning air and watch the birds around me while I walk the path to the kitchen. I then join in the morning breakfast song circle with songs I know so well and surrounded by kind and familiar faces! When I am at Camp Winnarainbow, I am grateful for sleeping in a sacred tepee, gathering around a fire at night, learning so many circus activities, swimming during a hot day during free time, learning songs with harmonies, making new friends, making friendship bracelets for new friends, the kind, wise, friendly, open and fun counselors, dressing up in exotic, colorful and creative outfits and costumes, and feeling comfortable dancing with my peers! I am grateful for the acceptance from everyone in everything I do, and the many options of classes, skills, crafts, and activities! The labyrinth has a place in many campers’

hearts, including mine. Walking the labyrinth is so special, and each camper can see that. When it is their turn to cross the creek with their group, take off their shoes, quiet their voices, breathe deep, and begin walking the labyrinth, they will take in the beauty and wisdom and special moments around them. Campers will gain a new perspective on themselves, learn so many new skills, have the time of their lives, and make long lasting memories. See you there!

Fun on stilts at Camp Winnarainbow.

MARIN SHAKESPEARE CAMP

By Lisa Noble, Age 10

Marin Shakespeare Company’s summer camps provide kids with the opportunity to learn about the playwright William Shakespeare by performing from his repertoire of 40+ plays. I attended their Youth Camp for students aged 8-12, where we put on Midsummer Night’s Dream, a comedy set in Athens, Greece that includes three plots: the marriage of a mythical king and queen, a conflict between four lovers, and six amateur actors rehearsing for a play to be presented before the Duke.

I played one of the actors, Nick Bottom, who gets his head turned into a donkey by Puck, a mischievous forest fairy. I was given a donkey mask with a flower crown to wear during the performance, which was well attended by my friends, parents, and even grandparents! This year I worked with the counselor, Khari, who helped me memorize all my lines at lunchtime and on our breaks. He was very silly and animated throughout all the rehearsals, making loud sounds and big faces to make us laugh.

The day often started with games and acting exercises followed by a water break. Once we were cast in the production, we learned how to write our character’s blocking in the script to remember our movements, intentions, and expressions in each scene. Even though camp was held outside at the Forest Meadows Amphitheatre in San Rafael, we usually gathered under the shade of the trees by the pond to rehearse. The counselors reminded us of how plays long ago were performed for audiences like this, and suddenly it made everything more real for me. I didn’t feel so nervous anymore. For a real acting experience and to be among friends just as passionate about the theatre, I would recommend a summer camp at Marin Shakespeare Company.

MARIN WAVES and TRACK

By Daniel May, Junior, Marin Academy

I love running track at Marin Waves and Track Club because it has helped me learn to focus, work hard and achieve success through running. I first pursued running by trying out for my middle school track team. I had not done anything to prepare for that and it did not go well. I felt like a failure. Then a friend told me about David Hay and his Track Club. I started right away and noticed how taking time to work on my running technique helped me learn to become a better runner. I immediately started focusing on my form and Coach Dave really helped me start perfecting this. A good team is impossible without a good coach. David Hay is a fantastic coach. He knows his stuff— all about running, form, stride and what it takes. He’s good been very good at analyzing my form and telling me what I need to do to improve my running. He can see what my weaknesses are and helps me improve. He can also see my strengths.

I feel great when I’m running but the same time, I’m tired and out of breath because I’m working super hard. I don’t just sit back, relax and take it easy. I like to make myself work for anything I get.

At a meet, my focus is more just making sure that my form is perfect. And I’m going as fast as I’m supposed to be. I need to know how much longer I must keep my pace up. I might be thinking, ‘Okay, I need to punch it, or else I’m not going to be able to beat this guy’ or, ‘okay, I’m not gonna’ be able to hold it for this long. I think I might have to accept that he’s gonna’ pass me.’ I’m entirely focused on for making sure I’m pacing myself correctly, that everything’s going perfectly.

I’ve also met a wide variety of cool people at Marin Waves Besides being focused, they are nice people. And during COVID, being able to go outside and run has been one thing that’s definitely been a saving grace.

Track is a great sport beneficial for any athlete. Taking the time to work on my running technique has helped me become a better runner, which in turn has helped me with other sports. In the entire like Soccer League, I was notorious for being the fastest kid in the entire program, especially as a defender.

I do have a dream of going to the Olympics. Going to the Olympics itself is like a gold medal. Getting a gold medal on top of that is like taking that and squaring it. Marin Waves and Track is helping me reach for this goal.

BRANSON SUMMER SESSION: Effective Reading and Writing Skills for 9th Graders

By Skylar Lariviere, Freshman, Branson

My mom signed me up for Branson’s Summer Session, knowing from my brothers’ experience that the tran-sition between 8th and 9th grades can be a big jump. English hasn’t always been easy for me, and taking this class helped me to ease in and know what to expect when I began freshman English at Branson in the fall.

I already knew that Ms. Erin (Mansur) would be my teacher in the fall, so having her as my teacher in the summer was a great introduction. I really appreciated her lively teaching style, hearing other people’s ideas was really fun, and I learned how to participate in group discussion.

High school can be scary when you don’t know what to expect; taking this course gave me a sense of Branson and connected me to the school. So, even though it’s your summer and you want to take a break, try Branson’s Summer Session. It will be a lot of fun!

By Ella Tsai, Freshman, Branson

I chose this Branson Summer Session class because in 8th grade I was struggling with critical analysis skills, so I wanted to work on it before I went into high school. Taking this week-long course gave me a sense of what I was going to be expected to do in 9th grade — and not only in English. It also more generally gave me a sense of Branson and what the teachers there would expect of [incoming freshmen]. I got to practice speaking out in class and worked on my class participation. It taught me about how high school here was going to work.

By Sadie Saavedra, Freshman, Branson

I chose this class because I struggled a lot with English in middle school. The class was a good preview of what was to come in freshman English. Even though I have a different teacher now, the teaching style is the same.

In this class I got better at writing and was able to improve in my analysis of short stories – I went a lot deeper. In the end we wrote a big essay and I was able to get lots of feedback.

I would recommend that other 8th graders take advantage of this summer opportunity – the classes are small and more personalized and you get plenty of 1:1 attention. It prepared me well for Branson.

PAAM- PERFORMING ARTS of MARIN

By Sawyer Chisholm, 6th Grade, Town School for Boys

I like PAAM Summer camps because I feel supported by the teaching staff. They are kind and willing to help and make it fun and interesting. There are kids of all ages, and we get to act, sing, dance and do crafts. We create a show each week with specific roles and get to show it to an audience at the end of the week. You can have fun designing your own costumes for the show too.

I am on the dance team at PAAM and usually focus on dance but got to try acting and singing too. It is a good chance for people who don’t usually act, sing or dance to step out of their comfort zones. The hours were good because I could still have time after camp to do other things like hang out with family and friends. I couldn’t wait to get back to camp the next day though to see my friends and work on the show. It was a fun way to spend a few weeks of my summer break!

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CAMP FUNDERBLAST: Games, arts & crafts, swimming, nature adventures, chill time & more in a fun, loving, safe environment. 5 Locations: Mill Valley: Scott Valley Swim & Tennis Club, Homestead Valley Community Association, Peace Lutheran Church. Fairfax: Saint Rita’s Campus. Petaluma: Wiseman Park. Pre-K7th grade. Swimming at Homestead or Scott Valley w/ option to participate in Tennis Camp at Scott Valley. Homestead: 9AM-4PM. June 12-Aug. 18; Scott Valley: 9AM-4PM, June 12-Aug. 18; Peace Lutheran: June 9AM5PM June 12-August 25; Fairfax: 9AM-4PM. June 12-Aug. 11. Petaluma 9AM-3pm June 19-July 28.

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CAMP STRAWBERRY AT STRAWBERRY RECREATION CENTER: Ready, Set, Go Camp Strawberry! Swimming, tennis, soccer, field games, nature walks, themed days, arts & crafts and more. Camps: June 12— August 11 with full summer or weekly options. Camps for three age groups: Ages 5-12 (1 and 2-week sessions available); Ages 9-12 Athletic X-Training Camp, M-F, 9:00AM-4:00PM; Camper-In-Leadership Training (CILT)– ages 12 to 14 (M-F, 9:00AM– 4:00PM).

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CARMEL VALLEY TENNIS CAMP est 1970: Tennis... and a whole lot more! Consistently picked by Tennis Magazine as a “Top 5” sleep away tennis camp in the USA. Excellent tennis instruction, healthy competition, conditioning, and numerous sports and social activities take place in Carmel Valley on a beautiful 38 acre private and secure setting as a tennis camp for children 10-18. Only Tennis Camp in the West accredited by American Camp Association.

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CIRCUS CENTER SF — SUMMER CAMPS 2023: Run away with the circus this summer! Our week-long camps offer a fun, safe and supportive environment where children can test their limits and explore their creativity with professional circus artists. Through collaboration and teamwork, your child will develop a unique skillset, perform in a showcase at the end of

each week, and make lifelong friends. Activities include: acrobatics, aerial arts, flying trapeze, juggling, clowning, stilts, equilibristics, songs and games. AGES: 7-13. DATES: 1-week sessions, June 5 – August 18.

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CITY OF SAN RAFAEL CHILD CARE DIVISION, KIDS

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COASTAL CAMP: A day at Coastal Camp is a day spent connecting with nature. With the Marin Headlands as our backdrop, campers learn more about the topics they love while exploring the coastal trails and marine setting. Our highly qualified staff engage campers’ interests and curiosity with a program that is flexible and adaptive to each group’s needs. Offering week-long sessions for campers entering grades K-12. Session dates run June — August 2023. Transportation is available from Mill Valley & San Francisco.

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...Continued on page 14

FASTFORWARD ADVENTURE REPORTERS

Yoga Weng, Del Mar Middle School

Ah, summer break. Two months of blank space and free time, released from the constant stress and worry of homework and tests, of pop quizzes and analyzing. Two months of an empty schedule and ideas on how to fill it. Two months of exploration and excitement, and a potential solution.

SUMMER CAMP at SAN DOMENICO

Phoebe Morf,

San Domenico School

It just wouldn’t be summer without San Domenico Summer Camps. I look forward to it every year. I remember my first year attending camp, I was a little nervous, but was quickly relieved when one of the counselors greeted me and introduced me to the other campers. By the end of the week, I had many new friends and lots of memories from all the fun activities. I even tried things I’d never done before like water polo and archery!

San Domenico’s campus makes the experience ten times better. The campus is surrounded by trees and rolling hills. The field is located in the middle of campus, and this is where we play soccer, lacrosse, and flag football. We know the day is ending when our coach passes out the popsicles.

Overall San Domenico Summer Camps offers something for everyone including drama, sports, coding, and more. It’s one of the highlights of my summer and I can’t wait to go back!

Honestly, I wasn’t so excited when I first pulled up at Redwood High School, for a writing summer camp called FastForward Adventure Reporters. Of all things. I mean, at the time, I was supposed to be on a break from this sort of stuff. That’s what summer break is for, right? Honestly, though, I was pleasantly surprised. I didn’t expect to be going out and seeing the ‘behind the scenes’ of so many cool places and find out more about the people who worked there every day. We ate cookies, interviewed people, saw a musical, chatted with our fellow journalists, and typed. But the typing was fun. We got to recount and relive our thrilling experiences, and put them into words, letting them see what we saw, so that the reader could experience the things we saw and heard and felt. It didn’t feel like work, or a summer camp. It was more like a group of friends, hanging out and sharing sights.

We went to several places that week. We saw firsthand, the process of creating graphics for a movie, diving into the world of far-away lands and gallant heroes, captured on a screen. We went to the Larkspur Fire Station, and we saw real life, everyday heroes, who dedicated their lives to saving others. ABC News, you know, that news channel that your parents probably watch? We got to see what goes on backstage, with the lights and cameras and lots of action. At the performance of “School of Rock”, with blaring music and flashing colors, we saw kids our age and younger, performing on that stage like it was second nature. It was so unexpected, and so, absolutely, brilliant.

VILDA NATURE CAMP

Alma Nabatian, Ross Valley Charter School, 8th Grade

I first got introduced to Vilda Nature Camp because they did a nature day every Friday at my school for three years. Now I go to the camps over most of the school breaks and several weeks in summer. What I like about the camps is that the counselors are really nice, the camps are all in nature, which is great, the games are fun, and I’ve learned a lot of crafts and skills. I’ve gotten knife certified and learned to whittle. I’ve gotten to make fire by friction with a bow drill and do archery. I love the kayaking and paddle boarding at China Camp too! I’ve also gone on some of the backpacking trips in Point Reyes that are just for girls. Those were really fun! One other thing that has been nice about Vilda Nature Camp is that I’ve gone to a lot of beautiful places that I’d never been to before, and now I go back there with my family.

YEAR11th

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SUMMERCREST SUMMER CAMP

Inara Thai, Lucas Valley Elementary School, 3rd Grade

At SummerCrest you get to learn about different stuff depending on what class and teacher/teachers you get. There are a lot of amazing stuff each class learns about. For instance, some classes teach about history and another teaches about various unique and very different fish. At lunch you are divided into a few groups with people in your class. Every week you change groups, and every week there is a different theme for the group names. Your group is assigned a different name/animal each week related to the theme, then your team chooses a team captain. You’re asked questions about your animal, and you get points for it. The team captain usually answers questions. Some days you get research which is just questions about your animal. Whichever team gets the most points wins! If your team wins you get to choose a prize. When I went to SummerCrest I enjoyed taking trips to the creek and observing different things. I also enjoyed learning about amazing and deadly fish, how to write cursive, and a little trick to multiply nine by single digit numbers. SummerCrest is not only fun but it’s very educational and you make a lot of friends.

MILL VALLEY RECREATION SUMMER CAMPS

Brooks Beau Beyer, Park Elementary School, 2nd Grade

The best part about Splash Camp at Mill Valley Recreation Center was making new friends. I loved playing on the Jumpee and playing games on the field with friends. Swimming was fun too and I got to take the swimming test. I did it! I swam from one end of the pool, tread water, and then swam back without touching the bottom. I could not do that at the beginning of summer. I started getting better because of my lessons. One of my favorite counselors was Goose. He was a very nice counselor. I like playing with older kids because they teach me new games and things. And the counselors help me meet new people to play with. Amelia was one of my very good friends at camp. She went to my school, but she was not in my grade. Now, we see each other at recess and are still friends.

My favorite art project was making a collage. It was really fun making different things every day. My favorite song was “Peanut Butter in a Cup.” Freeze dance was my favorite dance movement. This year I’m excited about doing new projects. Free swim. Passing the swim test again. Seeing if I am tall enough for the water slide. Going to Hauke Park. I hope my friends from school will come to camp because we will have fun. On a friend’s first day at camp, I would show them that where we can swim, and play sports, and help them meet new kids. There’s a game room for extended care, I like it there a lot too!

SUMMER SESSIONS 2023 · JUNE, JULY & AUGUST

MONDAY - FRIDAY, 9AM - 3PM or 9AM-12:30PM

BOYS & GIRLS, AGES 5 - 12

TOP PROFESSIONAL COACHING STAFF

Since 1974, our dynamic, experienced coaching staff has been helping players develop ball skills, provide tactical training, and build passion for the beautiful game of soccer. Attending camp is a great way to stay active, meet new friends and have lots of FUN!

CITY OF SAN RAFAEL

CHILD CARE DIVISION

Kid’s Camp

A fun-filled, action-packed summer program for school-age children. Each week your child will have the opportunity to create, explore, swim, splash, play games and just enjoy being a kid!

• Located at Coleman, Glenwood, Lucas Valley, Parkside, Mary Silveira and Vallecito Children’s Center. Each of our 6 sites has professional, caring enthusiastic staff that plan and present a wide variety of kid-friendly activities and special events in safe, state-licensed facilities.

• Centers are open 8:00am-4:30pm, Monday through Friday. Flexible scheduling and part-time enrollment is available.

For more information:

Contact Kelly Albrecht at 415-485-3386

MILL VALLEY l LARKSPUR SAN RAFAEL l NORTH LAKE TAHOE

Camps Summer

...continued from page 10

DAVE FROMER’S 42nd ANNUAL SOCCER CAMPS: June 12th - August 18th for boys and girls of all ability levels aged 5-12. Featuring a top-level coaching staff with an emphasis on skill development & fun! Coed and all-girl camp sessions offered weekly with sites throughout Marin County (Mill Valley, San Rafael & Larkspur). Plus a camp in North Lake Tahoe. Full-Day (M-F 9AM - 3PM) and Half-Day (M-F, 9AM - 12:30PM) options available. Supervision is available beginning at 8:30AM for all camps.

DAVEFROMERSOCCER.COM

415-383-0320

FASTFORWARD ADVENTURE REPORTERS

Mill Valley and New York City: IN MILL VALLEY: Designed for budding journalists and dedicated students who are fascinated by the world around them. Throughout the week, our youth reporters will interview Mill Valley firemen, the Mill Valley Mayor and council members, an award-winning children’s author, and a Mt. Tamalpais Scenic Railway historian, and their writing will be featured in a future issue of the magazine. 1 SESSION: 12 students p/week, entering Grade 5 - Grade 8; June 20-23, 9AM-2PM

LOCATION: Mill Valley Recreation Center, 180 Camino Alto, Mill Valley.

IN NYC: Fascinating interviews set up with authors, actors, actresses, politicians and filmmakers. Students conduct 7 interviews p/week, developing interviewing & writing skills, learning that “listening to someone else can change your life.” July 15-July 22.

Email: winifred@fastforwardweb.com

FASTFORWARDWEB.COM

415-256-8920

MARIN GREENPLAY CAMP 2023: A Marin IJ Readers Best Summer Camp. Marin GreenPlay Camp is a favorite nature and adventure day and overnight camp now in its 14th summer for kids entering kindergarten through 12th grade. All outdoor, nature-based, and developmentally appropriate activities, depending on the camp program selected, including outdoor rock climbing, tidepooling, boogie boarding, kayaking, exploring, nature art, service learning, karate, yoga, meditation and more! Weeklong sessions from June 12 - July 28. Full day (9AM-4PM) and half day (9 -1PM) available. Mill Valley, Tiburon, Larkspur and other locations in Marin and Tahoe.

MARINGREENPLAY.COM

415-264-2828

MARIN HORIZON SCHOOL SUMMER CAMP: Summer 1-week camp sessions for ages 3–7 that’s fun AND academic! Every week has a different theme. This summer’s weeklong themes include Mighty Explorers (June 20-23), Rainbow Bonanza (June 26-30), Mad Scientists (July 5-7), Dots and Circles (July 10-14), Little Chefs (July 17-21), and Imagination Station (July 24-28). All groups have a 12:1 camper to counselor ratio. Normal hours from 9AM–3PM and extended care from 8:30AM–9AM and 3-4:30PM. June 20 – July 28.

KINDERCAMP: June 20th–30th. Open to Kindergarten students who are enrolled at Marin Horizon for the 2023-2024 school year. 2-week session.

Email:summercamp@marinhorizon.org

MARINHORIZON.ORG/SUMMER

415-388-8408 ext. 253

MARIN JCC CAMP KEHILLAH: Join us from June 12 to August 18, 2023, at popular Camp Kehillah in San Rafael, CA, where kids of all ages enjoy exciting indoor and outdoor summer camp activities. Together, we play games, sing songs, swim, create art, take over-

night field trips, and make new friends. At Camp Kehillah, we create a lifetime of magical summer camp memories while learning and living Jewish culture and values.

Camp Kehillah 2023 is staffed by professional camp counselors and is fully accredited by the American Camp Association. Register at: jcc.org/summercamp2023/ 415.444.8055

MARIN SHAKESPEARE COMPANY: We make Shakespeare fun! Campers will enjoy: Physical games and activities, learning about and performing Shakespeare, interacting safely with peers, Skilled and caring Teaching Artists. Various camps for for all kids ranging from 5-19 run from June 12th to August 11th. Ages 8-12: three different 3-week camp sessions: June 12 – 30 (The Comedy of Errors ); July 5 – July 2,(The Tempest); July 24 – August 11 (Macbeth). M-F, 9AM-3PM. For campers, ages 5-7, offering three 1-week camps: July 24-27 (Clowns & Company), July 31-August 4 (Fairies & Elves) and August 7-11 (Royals & Villains). (M-F, 9AM-NOON). They’ll explore Shakespeare’s exciting characters, language and stories, culminating in a performance. Campers ages 12-19 will work with a professional director June 12-30 (M-F, 1-5PM) to rehearse and perform The Winter’s Tale MARINSHAKESPEARE.ORG /SUMMER-CAMPS 415-499-4487

MARIN WAVES TRACK CLUB MARIN WAVES

TRACK CLUB a USATF Member Club since 2007: 6 National Champion Awards; 8 National Runner-Up Awards; 29 Total JO Youth All-American Awards. 20 AAU National Indoor/Outdoor Top 8 Awards; 10 AAU West Coast Nationals Champions. Track & Field, Speed & Agility Training for All Sports, Cross Country, and Road Racing. Sessions include cardio work, dynamics, speed development, individualized workouts, strength building & flexibility training. Spring Track: MARCH 20 - JUNE 4. Summer Track: JUNE 5 - AUGUST 6. Age Groups: Youth (6-14), High School & Above. All ability levels: Beginners - Elite. Group Training sessions avail. 3-4 p/wk. All-Comers & USATF Meets.

Contact: David Hay, Club Founder/Head Coach

MARINWAVESTRACK.COM 415-272-1225

MILL VALLEY RECREATION — SUMMER CAMP

PROGRAMS: Kids Preschool—Teens have lots to choose from: Preschool-5th graders, Cool off with Splash Camp: Swim lessons & all types of indoor and outdoor activities and recreational swim for 1 week sessions, Extended Care is available for specific camps, contact us for more information. Preschool Splash & Afternoon Camps AM & PM offer half-day options for the younger set. Sports & Specialty Camps: Camp Creative, Camp PAASS, Legos, Theater, Tennis, Soccer, Technology, Yoga, Mindfulness, Art, & more. Teen Opportunities include our CIT Program and Performing Arts. Register for camps at MyMVR.org. View our Spring/Summer Activity Guide at MILLVALLEYRECREATION.ORG for additional activities, special events and classes. Questions?

MILLVALLEYRECREATION.ORG

415-383-1370

MORNING STAR FARM HORSE CAMPS: Offering English/Western horse camps for ages 5-14 years, June 12-August 18. Camps divided by age groups & riding styles: Full Day (9AM-3PM) or Half Day (9AM-12PM). Focus on riding instruction, horse care, vaulting and

trail riding. Mini Camp for ages 5-7 yrs., geared for younger set to learn about horse care & basic riding skills in a safe & fun environment. Also: Western/Rodeo Camp & Jumping Camp. Winter and Spring break camps are also offered.

MORNINGSTARFARM.INFO

415-897-1633

PERFORMING ARTS ACADEMY OF MARIN: PAAM offers a full summer schedule to fill your days with the performing arts! Weekly programs in Theater Arts and Dance are available throughout the summer. Students gain superior training from seasoned professionals in a supportive and fun environment. Programs are grouped by age for students Ages 4 & up! Our Theater Arts camps culminate with a performance for the family. June 12-August 11.

PAAMARTS.COM

415-380-0887

POEKIE NOOK: Hand-sewing, beginning to advanced, beading, and other arts and crafts, for children ages 6 and up. What makes us unique is nurturing a child’s creative world through sewing one-of-a -kind plush animals along with their accessories and habitats. Please visit our studio in Mill Valley for a free trial, if your child has never experienced the joy of making a “ Poekie”. Summer hourly package: 8 hours for $280.

Email: PoekieNook.millvalley@gmail.com

POEKIENOOK.COM

415-326-5202

ROSS ACADEMY MONTESSORI SCHOOL’S SUMMER MINI CAMP 2023: Continuing Montessori environment with regular staff the entire summer & lots of outdoor fun! Guest Appearances & Special Events. AGES: Toddler Program 2-3 years. Primary Program 3-5 years. Held at Ross Academy Montessori School, 7 Thomas Drive, Mill Valley. June 20-August 11. 9AM-2:30 PM (Full Day) 9AMNoon (Half Day). 2,4,6 & 8 week programs available (Minimum 2 consecutive weeks). 3 Day programs (Toddlers only).

Email: rams@rossacademymontessori.com

ROSSACADEMYMONTESSORISCHOOLS.COM

415-383-5777

ROSS RECREATION SUMMER CAMPS 2023: Summer Fun for Everyone! We have camps for all ages ~ there is something for every kind of kid! From themed weekly on-site activity camps, travel, exploration and adventure or sports camps, dance, art and more – your camper is sure to be impressed. Check out some of our camps: Ross Bears Kinder Camp, Sporty Girls Camp, Top Gun, Off the Block S.T.E.M. with LEGO®, Gone Fishin’!, Holly Hoppin Nature Play Adventure at Phoenix Lake and more!

ROSSRECREATION.ORG 415-453-6020

SAN DOMENICO SCHOOL’S SUMMER PROGRAM: With camps forpreflightemic enrichment to co-curriculars, you can build your own summer of fun and learning. Digital Music, Photography, Ukulele, Puppetry, Ceramics, Dance, and Chamber Music! Adventure and Technology camps! Nike Sports camps plus Tennis, Basketball, Soccer, Water Polo, Gymnastics, and more. Camps are filling up quickly so contact us NOW. Ages 5 -17 | June 19–July 28. Contact us at:

SANDOMENICO.ORG /community-programs/summer-programs

415-258-1900

SUMMERCREST: At SUMMERCREST camp, learning and fun go hand-in-hand.! Held at Lucas Valley Elementary School in San Rafael, SummerCrest serves children entering TK - 6th grade. Two 3-week

sessions are offered: June 12-June 30 and July 5-July 21. Each day at camp children are engaged in hands-on classes, taught by credentialed teachers. Enrichment activities, games, and outdoor play are woven into the camp day. This summer classes include Coding, Art, Tide Pool Exploration, Writer’s Workshop, Architecture Makers Science and more. Visit our website www.summercrest.org for complete listing of class offerings and registration information. Registration begins March 10. Learning, fun, new friends are all part of the Summercrest experience.

SUMMERCREST.ORG

415-457-6672

VILDA NATURE CAMPS: Vilda’s beloved nature camps are a 100% awesome summer experience in the hills, lakes and bays of Marin, Petaluma & Tahoe. With wilderness skills, nature connection and ecological stewardship wrapped in lots of adventure and play, campers learn about animal tracking, wild edible plants, primitive skills, ecological crafts, kayaking, carpentry, backpacking and much more. Ages 4-13. Sessions available June 12 - August 18.

Info@vildanature.org

VILDANATURE.ORG

RESIDENT CAMPS

415-747-4840

GOLD ARROW CAMP: Since 1933, Gold Arrow Camp has provided three generations of campers with a supportive community, enriching lives through relationships and outdoor experiences. In our beautiful setting on the shore of Huntington Lake, in the heart of the Sierra National Forest, campers have a chance to enjoy a traditional outdoor camp, complete with rustic living, nightly campfires and getting “unplugged.” Campers gain valuable life skills while at camp – independence, perseverance, and confidence – that will benefit them beyond camp in all areas of their lives. Our vision is to equip young people to bring positive changes to the world by teaching and modeling positive values and character traits. Gold Arrow Camp is accredited by the American Camp Association and is a member of the Western Association of Independent Camps. For more information, visit the camp website at: GOLDARROWCAMP.COM

800-554-2267

MOUNTAIN CAMP: A traditional, coed camp for kids ages 7-16, providing a magical outdoor setting where campers unplug, make friends, try new activities and make memories that last. Located on a beautiful high Sierra lake in the El Dorado National Forest, near Lake Tahoe. Sailing, Wakeboarding, Water Skiing, Ropes Course, Arts and Crafts, Photography, Video Production, Mountain Biking, Drama, Dance, Kayaking, Fort-building & more. Offering 1, 2, 3 and 4 week sessions. ACA accredited.

MOUNTAINCAMP.COM

415-351-CAMP (2267)

Camp Funderblast

New York City 2023 ....be there

SUMMER 2023

West meets East in two high-energy capitals of media, fashion and technology. Meet the people and places that make San Francisco and New York the happening places for culture, music and media. Space is limited, Bay Area [June 20-23] and New York City [July 15-22]

FASTFORWARD’S BAY AREA

1 SESSION: 10 Students p/ week, 9am-3pm

Entering 6th — Grade 8

Session I: June 19-23

FASTFORWARD’S NEW YORK

ONE WEEK: JULY 15- 22

Entering Freshman — Grade 12

Send 1-5 paragraphs of why you want to go to New York City for a week of awesome interviews.

Contact Winifred MacLeod @415-272-3569 winifred@fastforwardweb.com and Maxine Flasher-Duzgunes maxine@fastforwardweb.com

From the windows of our taxi, culture streams past. A motorcycle parade flashes by, Heelys flood the street and rumbling fills our ears. The subways become our lifeline. Days start and end there. Singers,guitarists, and eccentric dancers use their talent to ease the stress of each day. We are surrounded by art. By new ideas in symbiotic relationships with old. They coexist in a curious balancing act. We wander into old brick warehouses and see the creative ingenuity of the young and progressive. Our experience is an endless whirlwind of food, art, culture, and connection, an intoxicating, invigorating journey. Addicting, alluring, and almost incomprehensible.

— Bri Alphonso Gibbs, Marin Academy

“It’s all about the experience.”

Loung Ung

For Cambodian writer Loung Ung, covering the story of the genocide that killed approximately two million civilians was about her family.

“I’m not just telling a story. I’m trying to communicate my belief, my hope, for what our lives could be on earth.”

If that was my story, and I’ve been separated from my family for four years, and they’ve suffered a war, and I didn’t know if they lived or died – if I get to tell that story, who would I want to hold on to at the end? Who would I want the world to see?”

As an advocate of women displaced by violence, Ung believes writing is about telling the story through your frame. “I started writing because when I was reading stories of Cambodia, they were written mostly by politicians, journalists, and other people visiting the country.” While this was many years ago, the trends still haven’t changed enough to invite a more diverse array of stories onto the global stage. After watching “The Killing Fields”, a 1984 movie based on the life of Khmer Rouge survivor Dith Pran, Loung was inspired to tell her own story. And to tell the story in her own authentic voice as a survivors, sister, and daughter.

Ung has written three bestselling novels, Lucky Child, Lulu in the Sky, and First They Killed My Father, which she adapted for the screen in 2017 with director Angelina Jolie. “When you write a book,” she says, “you have to write everything. And so, you’re almost telepathically communicating with your readers: you’re going to tell them about, you know, the sound and the sight and the smells and the tones and the temperature. You write everything in the story.” But in writing the screenplay, Ung had to extract many pieces out to account for everyone else working on

WRITER: AUDREY LOWELL TAMALPAIS HIGH SCHOOL, FRESHMAN: EDITOR: MAXINE FLASHER DUZGUNES

REPORTERS: NICHOLAS CHIN, JUPITER ESMAIL, HARITA KALVAI, MARGUERITE WALDMAN-KAUFMAN, KIERA EISENBUD MILL VALLEY MIDDLE SCHOOL, MARIN SCHOOL OF ENVIRONMENTAL LEADERSHIP, SACRED HEART PREPARATORY, SAN RAFAEL HIGH AND TAMALPAIS HIGH SCHOOLS

the production: the director, the costume designer, the makeup artists, the sound designers, the hairstylist. Suddenly, it’s a collaboration, “and to have them imprint their voice and their vision into the film, I found that just exhilarating and exciting.”

Ung wants stories that aren’t slogans, stories that tell of brothers and sisters not just surviving war but thriving in peace years after the war has been declared over. “We are constantly being bombarded with stories of horrors, and heartbreaks and tragedies and wars and victimizations and you know, atrocity. But we’re not getting enough stories of humanity, of heart, of hope, of courage, no good news stories.” She describes the banner that media organizations use nowadays to cover their stories as this: “if it bleeds, it leads. You’re getting your news in snippets, you’re not getting indepth investigative reporting, you’re getting news that are sound bites, that, you know, are designed to get clicks on social media, or designed to draw your attention, but not really designed to tell you a story of family.” The media’s coverage of violence in countries like Cambodia, Rwanda, Afghanistan, and Ukraine has deterred allyship, it has discouraged heart from where it is needed most. So now more than ever, it’s important to show people these stories to get them interested and involved, not to turn away.

Growing up, Ung used to think that re-

“I think what’s missing in education for not just women, but all kids, is financial intelligence,” Ung admits. Going to school to learn reading, writing, and math is different than learning how much of what we earn goes to taxes and how much remains to support ourselves. A college degree is one thing, but a job is another. “What has helped me live my life and freedom was that I knew how to manage my finance…And so if people ever mistreated me at my job, I could always quit and leave.” Ung believes there are so many more things right with us than there are wrong with us, and we need to embrace that.

“I am very disheartened by what’s portrayed to women in general as being broken, as being not whole, as being imperfect,” Ung says. She points out how television and social media advertisements directed at women always use dismembered parts and never the whole women: whether it’s hair that’s not straight enough, skin not smooth enough, eyebrows not thin enough. Instead, women need to be models for each other: “we’re here, we’re surviving, we’re strong, we’re giving birth, we’re nurturing each other, we’re protecting each other, we’re speaking out for each other, we’re standing up together. How could there be so many things wrong with us if we are here?” Ung proposes changing not only women’s education in school, but women’s education in life.

ucate people about wars, “but to draw on people’s understanding of what it takes to survive wars, and it takes courage and humanity and dignity and love and family. It takes all these things to survive.”

It requires commitment to take actions around in peace in your community. “Life is about choice,” Ung says, “Peace is not an automatic, peace is not something you grant to somebody. Peace is not something you wish upon a star. Peace is not something you ask for from your government, or from your school administrators or from your friends. Peace is something you actually commit to working on.” It’s about choosing to work to stop cycles of violence and toxicity and choosing to sacrifice many parts for the whole that’s the best of ourselves.

Ung doesn’t walk through her home country with guilt anymore, she honors the space and experience of the people who decide to share their stories with her. Because when she was in a refugee camp as a child, she recounts the day that a worker came up to her, “one of the invisible kids, dirty and hungry and desperate. And I remember her bending down to my eye level and talk to me. I have no idea to this day, no idea what she said. But I remember what it felt like to be seen, to be heard, to think that somebody actually saw me.” So, despite feeling rage and sadness upon returning there, Ung also carries feelings of gratitude, admiration, and respect for

silience was an intrinsic quality, a special trait that she could possess. It was not until she started suffering symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder throughout her adolescence, she realized that all this information had been implanted inside her consciousness. “Resilience isn’t a thing you’re born with, it’s a learned behavior that consists of verbal communication or written communication or however we choose to communicate with each other. It’s forming relationships and friendships with people who will be there for you when you’re going through a hard time. Resilience is also learning how to support yourself.” We can use these learned behaviors to pick ourselves up when times are tough.

It’s about seeing each other in three-dimensional versions of ourselves.

Coming out of the war, Ung believed there were more bad people than good people in the world. She was very scared and suspicious, as if overtaken by the traumas and battles she had to fight alone. But in considering some advice she might give to her younger self, she admitted that sometimes we just can’t change the mistakes we’ve already made: “all we can do is go on, go move forward and do better.” It’s about extending yourself towards the good human beings among the 8 billion plus people on earth. “My adult life has really been a journey to just see beauty and be grateful and put out kindness.” Ung’s work is not merely to ed-

generations of people who have been through so much and grown so much and worked so hard to be here.

The Marin County Free Library’s Mission is to provide welcoming, equitable and inclusive opportunities for all to connect, learn and explore. A core strategy to achieve our Mission is providing resources and information that will help our community learn about and more deeply engage in racial equity.

Visit: marinlibrary.org

“If that was my story, and I’ve been separated from my family for four years, and they’ve suffered a war, and I didn’t know if they lived or died — if I get to tell that story, who would I want to hold on to at the end?

Who would I want the world to see?”

KK SWAPS

By Emerson Swift Tamalpais High School, Sophomore

= Reusing, Repurposing and Recycling Clothing Locally

This is equivalent to a garbage truck full of clothes ending up in a landfill every second, according to Earth.Org, a nonprofit environmental organization.

Before you read any further, you should probably get acquainted with the Redwood Landfill and Recycling Center. If you live in Marin, that’s where your too tight ballcap, the shirt with the band you no longer like, and the sweater that was your favorite for a day live now. Unfortunately, this is only their childhood— they’ll outlive you by about 200 years.

But hey! It’s not all gloomy.

Kirsi Harris and Kate Rosegard, two Tamalpais High School seniors are now giving your unwanted clothes a new home. They started KK Swaps, a clothing company dedicated

to reusing, repurposing and recycling local clothing. Here’s how it works: people price clothes they don’t want anymore and leave them at one of KK Swaps’ drop-offs. Then Kate, Kirsi, and a handful of friends, tag and organize these clothes in preparation for the sales they hold in Kate’s driveway every few months. People will receive 60% of profits made from the clothes they dropped off, and the remaining 40% KK Swaps donates to organizations combating climate change and restoring the environment.

“I feel like people in our community are not very mindful about sustainable shopping and being a conscious consumer,” Kate says. “Our friends would often have a bag of clothes in the corner of their room that they wouldn’t be using and would be giving away to Goodwill… and a lot of these clothes they were getting rid of were in really great condition.” Kate continues to point out how not all items donated to Goodwill found new homes—about 5% end up in the landfill, according to Goodwill CEO William Rogers.

Kirsi adds, “I feel like we created a community of shoppers because our sales are so fun, and… little do they know that they’re shopping sustainably.”

sored by Athleta at the Mill Valley Lumberyard. Their most recent partnership was with author Diana Kapp who wrote the book Girls Who Green the World.

When asked about the advice they would give to people who want to pursue a career in entrepreneurship or environmental science and activism, Kirsi responded, “Don’t be discouraged. When we first started KK Swaps, it was all very daunting… Kate and I are very independent people, but we realized we’d be more successful if we had people help us with working the shop, tagging, running the Instagram, and responding to emails.

KK Swaps has repurposed between 2,000 to 3,000 items of clothing in its two years of existence but still has thousands more that need a new home.

KK Swaps has been involved in additional events besides their sales over the past year. They have spoken at Park School and Del Mar Middle School to inspire more young people to create change in their communities. They have also partnered with Athleta on Earth Day and later held a fashion show spon- Email: kkswapscommunity@gmail.com.

Kate and Kirsi’s are planning their last KK Swaps event, another fashion show, for May and plan to pass the business down to Kirsi’s younger sisters. After graduating, they hope to also start branches of KK Swaps in college or encourage others to start their own versions. KK Swaps is a great reminder that anyone can create change in their community as long as they don’t give up.

Follow their Instagram @kk.swaps to stay updated and involved with upcoming sale and drop-off dates.

In the world of fast fashion, nothing is permanent. Trends change every day, causing brands like Shein, Zara, H&M, Forever 21, Uniqlo, Urban Outfitters, and many more to deposit 92 million tons of garments into landfills each year.

Kirsi Harris and Kate Rosegard

SPONSORING DAVIDSON MIDDLE SCHOOL GARDEN

Reflections on Our School Garden

Ms. Siri’s Garden Students

- I love planting and seeding with my friends.

- I love the fi g tree and now that we are taking care of it, there are fi gs growing on it.

- I like planting lettuce because it is a winter vegetable and we will be able to make a salad with it.

- Something I enjoy about Garden is bonding with people and making the Garden 100% better. We also like planting all different kinds of plants and getting to learn about them.

- I like Garden because it is really fun to plant and Ms. Siri is a great teacher.

- In the garden, we we learn about all different things like how to make soil, how to plant, and how to be independent.

- I like that in the Garden we get to plant, grow food, pick stuff, and make them into meals, which we get to eat.

- I like that we get to cook and grow plants from seeds.

- I like Garden because we get to cook great food

- I enjoy Garden because we get to plant things, hang out with friends, and eat food that we cook.

To learn more about our work with Bay Area school gardens, visit www.sloatgardens.com

Mill

Kentfield:

Each month Sloat Garden Center offers a $250 garden grant to a new Marin County school.

Writing by: Aisling, Elizabeth, Hadley, Camila, Maya, Yasmin, Shirley, Yadana, Ashley, Jonathon, Wesley, Angel, Gabriel, Dante, Abby and Rose

By Malhar Dev, Senior, Marin School for Environmental Education

How to Create and Run a Sustainable Business Enterprise — Equity is a Huge Focus

OUR BUSINESS: Flavor Profiles — Creation of a storytelling cookbook

MY ROLE & FOCUS:

IMPORTANT SKILLS

FIRST STEP: Foundation of Business

— the website

l Creation of a website with content and images that allow customers to learn about the mission, vision and values creates interest and can lead to sales of your product.

l Electronic mailing lists and shipping systems to ensure that customers could receive updates on time.

Ability to change plans and work on short notice. Often, I would have to set up and coordinate promotional events for the next day.

Through this, I learned to plan for all eventualities.

I’m the CTO, and my focus is on Internet-facing and technological aspects—authoring content for the website, curating images, and formatting and uploading blog posts, as well as implementation of transactional and payment systems to ensure that customers could purchase our product through the website.

REQUIREMENTS:

l Always have supplies on hand.

l A list of potential partners to help promote our business. These skills all helped to ensure the events could be set up and run smoothly with all necessary supplies and equipment in place.

TEAMWORK:

l Learn how to operate a business and adapt to rapidly changing circumstances, as well as gaining skills and insights valuable in the process.

l Team needed to develop a wide range of experiences and skills; team members often required to step into other person’s roles.

l Having a versatile team so that every base is covered.

SUGGESTIONS FOR YOUR ENTREPRENEURIAL ENDEAVORS

1. Be prepared to adapt. When starting a business, it is common to find that initial assumptions were incorrect. Having alternative plans ready to go can save significant time and stress and can possibly work out better than expected in the long run.

2. Prioritize a good website and simple purchasing process. A well-made, informative, and streamlined website will not only interest customers but will also make them more likely to view your business favorably. When selling a product or service, make sure the process to purchase it is simple and works as intended to ensure the customer is satisfied with the experience. In addition, content and images that allow customers to learn about the mission, vision, and values of your business can lead to customers taking extra interest or potentially buying your product.

3. Promote your business. This allows more potential customers to learn of your business to catching the attention of a potential business partner or sponsor. Social media marketing is helpful. In-person promotion at events such as farmers’ markets or school events can allow your business to present a human façade and effectively inform others what your business does.

4. Leverage your community/resources. Different perspectives can provide valuable insights that you may not have considered and can sometimes raise questions that can lead you to new solutions or new ideas entirely. Such iteration is key to the process of finding an idea that translates to a successful business, and it can come from many places, from family and friends to teachers, co-workers and more.

5. Maintain professionalism in all public-facing aspects. Make sure company materials and products look professional. Quality, punctuality, and well-written content is critical here.

MY BUSINESS GOAL: TO EDUCATE AND INSPIRE

To create and promote a storytelling cookbook that informs people of the role that food and heritage played in the black community and the role it played in the lives of these victims of police brutality as well as the impact it has on the community now. The goal is to celebrate their lives rather than their victimhood.

SUMMARY: Persistence, adaptability, resourcefulness, teamwork, versatility, professionalism, and most importantly, a desire to learn and grow are the keys to success in creating your own business. I am fortunate to have garnered a wide range of skills from past internships and other experiences, requiring me to devise unique solutions for problems that present themselves, something I have gained a knack for over time. This prepares you for the rigors of the business. Through this, I now see the potential for the future of sustainable enterprises driven by the current generation of students like myself. I also witnessed the success of my other classmates’ businesses, driven by ideas and perspectives unique to members of my generation. The enthusiasm they received with helped me to realize the true magnitude of potential change this generation of youth can bring to the world. Better educated and more connected than ever, our generation is uniquely poised to take on the challenges that lie before us, now more than ever.

Kent Middle School

ways. His dress is of many colors and fabrics, but it is incredible; unorthodox but masterful, strange but amazing.

Bravery by Lucy Levine

Her long curly red hair flows behind her back as she walks in the room. Her green eyes survey her surroundings. There is a girl in the corner. A boy stands over her, insulting her. His friends stand behind him laughing. She walks over to the boy and taps him on the shoulder. He turns. He’s terrifying, but she’s not afraid. “Stop!” she says, her voice steady and strong. He laughs, as do his friends, but she’s unafraid. The boy walks closer. He stares at her, but she doesn’t flinch. Deep down she’s scared, but she doesn’t move. She stares at him, her green eyes holding his gaze until he walks away.

Empathy by Siena Forster

By Noah Lewis and Elliott Harrison, 6th Grade

FastForward visited Lisa Moretti’s and Myra Anderson’s 7th Grade students to conduct writing workshops.

Dance by Soleil Matli

The quiet sound of dance shoes all around me hitting the floor so lightly. The music sings all around. My brain goes back to the beat of 5, 6, 7, 8 as I go over the moves in my head. The sound of clapping and the lights shining in all directions. My breathing speeds up as I flow through each move of the dance. I smile from ear to ear. I feel like the music is within me and I am in the music. This is dance and this makes me happy.

Music by Remy Leibowitz

I can taste the reed on my tongue. I can hear the blues flowing out of my instrument, the smooth crisp sound of a fast duet. When I play, I enjoy the sound of our well-orchestrated band. The beat of the drums, the low sound of the bass, the honest sound of a trumpet. The blues is in the ear of the listener.

Surfing by Annabel Kidd

The chill of the water hitting my shins brings twirls to my stomach. Salty ocean air whips around my hair and makes tons of water roll to its command. Nothing in the world matters more than this. To get the sturdy soft board onto the water and into the waves is the challenge. I walk into the water just enough to drop the board.

Even though I’m in a wetsuit, every part of my body that touches the great Pacific is cold to the bone. I feel my feet and legs bolting toward the waves. I drop onto the board and my hands scoop through water, taking me away from the shore and towards the endless vast blue. It’s wave after wave. Nothing in this moment matters more than not dying. The waves keep hitting, putting salt water in my mouth. Then, I break through. Where the waves never break and never crash, there is calm.

When I’m on stage the butterflies dance in my stomach. The mirrors show me what to fix in my form. Lights, camera, action! My body leaves me in my standing spot. The music gives me cues for each move. Plié, straddle, firebird. Boom! When the beat hits, my body explodes through each move. And I dance. Dance is me and I am dance. I feel alive.

He dances through life, making things work that nobody else thought possible. Putting the square into the circle, making it fit. He thinks “What if these trees were purple?” He paints an alien landscape no one has ever seen, yet it is a masterpiece. His hair flows in strange yet beautiful

Her warm smile brings people comfort. Her voice is soft yet meaningful. Her sparkling brown eyes welcome you with warmth. She listens and helps, she doesn’t yell. Her brain is full of advice. She walks tall but is not intimidating.

Quiet Girl by Taylor Woodley

She walked up to the front of the room, the quiet girl. It was time to give our presentation. I could see the stress and anxiety in her eyes. I started feeling bad for her. This was a no-script presentation. I could feel the butterflies that had to be in her stomach. I looked at her eyes and gave her a smile hoping it would give her some bravery. I see a smile through her eyes as she speaks louder. I continue to smile at her, giving her a sign that she’s amazing. I thought she was pretty with her long blonde hair and her ocean blue eyes. She finished and everyone gave her a big round of applause. It was now lunch, and I see her eating by herself, so I invite her to sit with my friends and me. We’ve been best friends ever since.

“A little to the left… there you go, that’s perfect.” Getting that perfect shot with great lighting is the best feeling. What I love about filmmaking is being creative and doing what I want to do. The film is up to me. Every shot, movement and sound is created with purpose. Putting together a bunch of clips to make a story is both exciting and energizing. Also, I can make a film wherever, whenever, and with whom I want. Seeing a finished film and watching others enjoy it is a full circle moment.

Filmmaking by Izzy Marsh

Dance by Hannah Hirschbein

Optimism by Alex Atherton

7th Grade

Chess by Ethan Redlin

BAM! Sounds that come from the board echo throughout the room. Twelve kids surround the tables watching intently as my opponent throws his pieces down in frustration. He stands, creasing his brow. He pushes his chair away, creating an eerie screech. He walks out of the room into the hallway. A yell of aggression seeps back into the room. Only now do I see that his king is turned on its side. I have won the most important game of my life. I unclench my hand and the smooth pawn I had been holding slips through my grip, clattering on the tile floor. I sit back in my chair, reliving the game. A few minutes later I am

handed my trophy. As I stroll through the building, I realize that chess is my real passion.

Music and Drums by Tessa Mussallem

I listen for the beat. I try to replicate the drums and sounds. I focus not only on the voices but the instruments, banging, strumming and clicking in the background. I imagine the players thinking. I tap my foot with the music and when it ends, I try again. Next song, next voice, next beat, next tempo, next instrument. Are they thinking about what they are playing? I try to slow my mind like I imagine they do.

Things We Know to be True

When you lose a loved one, they are never truly gone.

No amount of money can buy time. Morality is a social construct. Joy can be found in unexpected ways.

Music brings me joy. Expression is the window of the soul.

Grades don’t define intelligence. The past will repeat. We need to observe and learn from it, so it evolves.

Taking a second to sit down allows me to have a better thought process.

Even a true friend can make mistakes. It is how they come back from them that matters. Every rose has its thorns. One must be beautiful on the inside to be beautiful on the outside. Going with the flow is the fastest way to go, don’t swim upstream. It can take years to build something and seconds to destroy. Everyone has problems that makes them human.

A good friend is not only nice to you but nice to others.

Bodys of water calm me. Traveling creates beautiful memories. Just be myself.

Money can’t buy happiness. Nature is calming for the soul. Dinner brings family together. I love having fun with friends. Each decision we make changes our life— for better or worse. Being with loved ones ups my mood.

I depend on my neighbors. I need them in my life. They keep me going.

Getting organized makes me feel like I have a fresh start. Goals can be reached and new goals can be made.

Sometimes I say nothing because I’m afraid of what people will think.

A cup can be half full or half empty. Trees lose their leaves but they still stand tall.

If I practice, I will progress. Failure is a part of success. Broken crayons still color.

Kanaru Nakao & Sydney Gustke, 8th Grade

Lisa Moretti and Myra Anderson’s students

Kent Middle School

Continued from Page 27...

Art by Amy Flores

Art. Taking ideas and making them a reality. When my paint brush makes contact with fresh paint. Or when I start drawing and the pencil takes over and dances along the paper. I’ve always had a passion for art, especially drawing. I love the way that I can do a lot with an empty page.

Baseball by Mason Hellar

Walking up to the plate with my bat in hand as if this was any normal at bat. I step into the box and realize what is going to happen. I feel the energy in my front body go into the bat. I feel the power in me and in the bat. I await my perfect pitch and strike it with all my might. The ball was going out. I blink as the cheering begins. As I see the ball clear the fence, I realize I’ve hit a homer. Baseball is my passion.

The mirror reflects me. A blank slate. I grab a brush that’s gold and has little details. I carefully dip it in the powder while lightly tapping the brush against the cap of the eye shadow. I bring it up to my eyes, while I glance in the mirror, and start putting the color onto the surface of my eyelids. Colors streak red from my eyes. I feel a spark of joy and dip the brush into more eyeshadow. Green, purple, and pink lace my eyes. Once I’m happy, I bring down my brush and I add lashes to make it pop. I put on some lip gloss and apply it slowly so as not to get outside the lines of my lips. Done. Perfection.

Imagine waking up to a view of two worlds — water and land colliding, meeting. I love the crashing of the waves. The warmth of the soft sand beneath my feet. The seagulls are on a hunt, flying through the trees. Salty scents fill the air. It’s a place where the world is at peace. People, land, animals and sea— all coming together to form a community.

Chess by Kaz Rubel

The eerie quiet pervades. Thump! Thump! A strong yet thoughtful face stares back at me. The complex strategy that I love so much here again. A constantly evolving position, I can almost taste victory as I smell my opponent’s mistake. I feel the beautiful wood pieces, my bishop. I don’t have to look to know, I move it to E7 and my opponent’s face twitches. Confidence seeps in, my face twitches to a smile, I have the advantage. Then my

opponent’s face changes. I sense he has an idea and anxiety begins to creep in. He tips his King over, I’ve won!

Music by Grace Davidson

I feel different types of sounds drumming through my body. Sounds tell different stories. Sounds make me feel free letting me create universes of my own. I can either space off or tune in. Music allows me to express my feelings. I feel I can almost touch sounds running through my head. A music bomb explodes. Feeling the sticky sweetness in my ears and on my tongue, music is infinite in me and the world.

Soccer by Ellie Walker

I smell the fresh cut grass. I see a blanket of light blue sky, hiding the clouds. I feel the soft wind pushing against my body. I hear voices echoing around me, but I cannot let myself hear them. Once I feel the ball touch my feet, I’m locked in. My problems suddenly disappear. As the ball skids along the field, I feel my body awaken. I have reached the moment I stride for. I feel safe.

Failures lead to success. When I make a mistake, I push harder. On days when the blanket of blue sky suddenly disappears and dark gray skies appear, I feel calm. I am reminded that the only path to improvement is failure. Soccer, the sport where success is ideal, but errors are mandatory.

Musical Theatre by Dylan Gotlieb

The bright spotlight pans towards the center of the stage. I feel my fellow cast members brush beside me as the first note of the big show number rings through the audience. I am present in the scene. there are no characters, only a new mindset. As I follow the choreography steps, my movement starts to flow to the beat of the song. Whether a sharp hum or an elegant spin, every move counts. When I speak my lines, they’re from my heart, not my brain. I look around the stage and see a scene blossoming. Solely with eye contact, the actors communicate, growing a garden from the seed which is the script.

Swimming by Henry Lee

The cold water rushes past my ears. It feels freezing at first, but then I glide right though. I see bubbles tickling my skin as I paddle forward. I rise up and inhale the air. The feeling of swimming is almost unreal. Swimming helps me concentrate. I have only one thought on my mind which is getting all the way back. I’m in a zone where I am more focused. I’m more relaxed. Swimming helps me.

Looking out the Window by Sabine Khan

I almost don’t exist for a few quiet moments. It’s hard to wake up early. When I take a few extra steps out of bed, it’s like I come back alive. My eyes want to stay shut but I pry them open. Sitting in a chair, a feeling of tranquility chases my anxious thoughts away. I look out a window and see mountains taller than the day before puddled by rocky edges and uneven sides. A row of trees decorates the foreground of my window with vibrant green leaves. I smell mango and honey as I focus back inside the window. My chin wets with steam from a teacup sitting underneath my head. A quiet morning and a quiet house.

Joy by Avery Gunst

A smile forms on your lips as a giggle or two slips by. It’s that feeling when you want to put your hands in the air and scream. It’s a feeling you can find anywhere, and you can morph into anytime. You are funny or silly and help others see the world from a different point of view. Sometimes you may question where it went but you find ways to cross paths again and it’s as if it was never gone. It is joy.

Art by Ivory Hollingsworth

I feel peaceful. All the chatter and conversations are muted and insignificant. All I hear is the soft music and the pleasant scratch of my pencil creating shapes on the pristine sketchbook page. It’s well past dark now and everything is absorbed into the flow of the pencil, the paper and me.

Snowboarding by Zach Candell

Faster, faster, fastest! Zooming with speed. Frosty air hits my face. Dry cold air pushes into my lungs. White powder springing up from underneath me as I turn. Swerving out of the way as a snowball flies past me. “I will have my payback Zach,” as my shriek echoes through the mountain. Butterflies zip through my stomach.

Friends by Alex Atherton

My friends surround me as I tell a story. I feel important with every joke I tell as I hear laughs. They stop to listen. Words of warm encouragement and laughter float through the air. The work I’ve put in over hours unfolds. I sit behind a screen with seven dice in front of me. My friends quiet down as I bring them into my world. In this moment, I feel happy that my friends are having fun. I’m having fun as I throw monster after monster at them. But then it changes when someone puts up a challenge.

My friends are always there. When I fall from grace, I’m caught by the safety nets that are my friends. Without people to enjoy company with, I am of little consequence in the grand scheme of things.

Makeup by Sophia Specht

The Beach by Ryen Jatsek

San Rafael High School

Art HeadSpace

Clea Jimenez Donovan, Junior

Carl Fassberg, Senior

ART TEACHER Annie Yi

Jacqueline Velasquez Hernandez, Junior

Maria Keane Senior

Hadassah Krieger, Junior

Tegan Mack Junior

San Rafael High School Theatre

The Addams Family

The Addams Family is a comical feast that embraces the wackiness in every family, featuring an original story performed by students in theatre at San Rafael High School.

San Rafael High School’s Hayes Theatre

Friday and Saturday, March 24th and 25th at 7:30 pm

Sunday, March 26th at 2:00 pm

Students say:

“I enjoy drama because you get to be a part of telling and sharing stories with others. It’s fun to work towards creating art with friends, and it feels great to be able to share your part in it. It is very fun to create something special alongside a bunch of talented people. No one judges you, and you feel “free, to do whatever pleases you! ” — ALEXANDER MERCER

“I like drama because I love to act. Theatre gave me a new sense of belonging and new-found confidence.” — LUCA FONDNAZIO

“I like drama because I get to pretend that I’m someone else.” — JARED GUALDING

“Initially, I had no plans to do anything related to drama, but last year, when I joined drama, I soon grew intrigued by the challenge of it, and the idea of playing a role of someone unlike myself. I appreciate being part of something on a stage that normally is out of people’s comfort zone; you’re free to do whatever pleases yo u .” — RYAN GUNDERSEN

I get a chance to perform, meet new friends and learn the ropes of being on stage, and have fun doing it. — COLE MORRIS

“I like drama because I get to be different people and experience things I wouldn’t normally get to experience.”

— LEYLA WINTON

Front, left to right: Front, left to right: John Diaz, Susan Zelinsky and Kevin Allen. 2nd row, left to right: Jared Gaulding, Gabriella Finell, Sidney Labovish, Rai Zelinsky Jobe, Luca Fondnazio, Ella Clark and Ivana Ramos. Back row, left to right: Ryan Gundersen, Leyla Winton, Cole Morris, Alexander Mercer, Carmel Gamble and Alex Sanchez.