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About The Bay: San Francisco Teens Impress With Real World Projects

SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS) - Dozens of ambitious Bay Area teens recently took part in a social action boot camp, and suffice it to say, they wouldn't be mistaken for your "average" teenagers.

While a majority of high school students tend to be consumed with homework, sports or teenage romance, these teens were setting their sights on the world - literally.

KCBS' Mike Sugerman Reports:

"We brought together 150 of the most amazing young social entrepreneurs from the San Francisco Bay Area and brought them through the ringer, really, a day of marketing and branding, recruiting volunteers, how to set up a board of directors, everything they need to know to run their project or not-for-profit," explained "Do Something" organizer Aria Finger, who orchestrated the day-long symposium in San Francisco.

"We saw a 9 year-old who cared about animal welfare, we saw a 24-year-old kid who used to be in a gang who turned his life around and started a community center," she added. "They just need to be given the power to do something."

Corporate and nonprofit executives were also brought in for the event, to coach the teen participants on how to hone their skills.

"The kids were passionate, articulate, a little tentative at times," observed Gap Chief Financial Officer Eric Bauer. "But it was exciting to watch them kind of find their way."

"Talk to me a little bit about why that cause matters," Bauer coached the teens. "Give me some statistics about how it impacts that country or that situation. Tell me what it is that you're doing and why that issue is more relevant than all the other issues that come across our desks every day."

One thing that was clear - these teens weren't shy about sharing their dreams.

"My goal with this project is to provide the people of Malawi with tools they can use to unlock a better education," one girl declared.

"We help underprivileged children that aren't up to grade level with their learning, and we tutor them and try to get them to where they're supposed to be," one young man said.

"I'm trying to educate the industry and reduce the use of plastics," another girl offered.

(© 2011 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

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