An environmental magic show was one of the highlights of the five-day program, “Environmental Stewards: Champions of Justice!” at Green Acre Bahá’í school in Eliot, Maine, in late July.

Bob Fellows’ entertaining magic tricks reinforced many of the themes the program aimed to convey, said Peter Adriance, who coordinated the eco-friendly retreat attended by more than 50 pre- and early teens.

Photo courtesy of RobertFellows.com

According to his website, Fellows addresses real world issues in his performances for young people. He helps his audiences develop mindsets and critical thinking skills to cope with the pressures they face.

“Bob challenged the participants’ assumptions,” Adriance said. “He opened their minds to previously unimagined possibilities.”

The magic show was held on the second evening of the five day “Environmental Stewards: Champions of Justice” program, and set a tone of excitement and anticipation for the activities that followed.

“He combined gifted showmanship with a powerful social message – that we live on a precious, interconnected planet; it’s ours to take care of, and we can!” said Adriance.

Adriance credits Fellows’ show for helping empower participants to take action at home and in their communities. That sense of empowerment was captured in a “letter to self” – written on the final day by one of the kids and echoed by many: “You have potential! Use it! Show the world you care! You can make a difference!”

Read more about the “Environmental Stewards: Champions of Justice” program at Green Acre.

Visit the Baha’is of the U.S. page on Sustainable Development.