Coastal Maine Bird Studies for Teens

June 16-21, 2013               June 23-28, 2013

Bird Studies for Teens is currently sold out.  Please add your name to the wait list so we can notify you if space becomes available.

During this intensive 6-day, 5-night program on Hog Island, some of the country's best known birders and ornithologists will lead sessions on field identification, bird song recognition, and conservation practices.  For ages 14-17 only.

This program includes the opportunity to observe Audubon’s seabird conservation field research in action, and is the only Hog Island program that lands participants on Eastern Egg Rock during the puffin breeding season.

"I just want to say that I can highly recommend this camp to everyone, especially to teens. It's a really inspirational week... Plus, the food is incredible." - Benjamin Van Doren, White Plains, NY

Click to see photos from a teen session on Hog Island.

Price is $1295 for individual enrollment, and $995 for organizations (bird clubs, Audubon chapters, etc.) that are sponsoring a teen in the program for at least 50% of the registration fee. Registration cost includes all meals, housing, instruction and boat trips. Teens must arrange transportation to and from the Audubon dock in Bremen at the start and end of the session (see directions page). Participants can be picked up and dropped off at the Portland airport by Audubon staff for an additional fee of $100. 

Coastal Maine Bird Studies is for teens ages 14 to 17 with an avid interest in birds. Limit of 16 participants per session. This program requires physical and emotional maturity. After reserving your place in the session, additional registration materials will be sent to applicants. Final acceptance in the program is contigent upon staff review of application materials, which include recommendation letters and a series of question to be completed by the teen.

Prices include meals, housing, instruction and all boat trips. Participants must arrange transportation to and from the Audubon dock in Bremen at the start and end of the session (see directions page).  Check with your local Audubon chapter or bird club for scholarship availability. 

Wait list
If the session you prefer is sold out, it is a good idea to add your name to the wait list. There are usually a few cancellations, and the first people on the wait list are almost always able to enroll.  You can also email hogisland@audubon.org or call (607) 257-7308x14 for updates on the wait list status.

Session 1: June 16-21

Director
Chris Lewey, Director, RAVEN Interpretive Programs

Teen Leaders
Doug Wentzel, Naturalist and Program Director, Shaver's Creek Environmental Center

2013 Instructors
Kenn Kaufman, Author, Kaufman Field Guides
Kim Kaufman, Director, Black Swamp Bird Observatory
Stephen Kress, Director, Seabird Restoration Program 
John Kricher, Author and Professor of Biology, Wheaton College 
Sara Morris, Professor of Biology and Env. Science, Canisius College
Pete Salmansohn, Education Coordinator, Seabird Restoration Program
Susan Schubel, Outreach Educator, Seabird Restoration Program
Additional instructors to be announced.

Session 2: June 23 - 28

Director
Scott Weidensaul, Author and ornithologist

Teen Leaders
Joshua Potter, naturalist, Shaver's Creek Environmental Center
Heather Richard, educator, San Francisco State University

2013 Instructors
Stephen Kress, Director, Seabird Restoration Program 
Sara Morris, Professor of Biology and Env. Science, Canisius College
Pete Salmansohn, Education Coordinator, Seabird Restoration Program
Susan Schubel, Outreach Educator, Seabird Restoration Program
Bill Thompson III, Editor, Bird Watcher's Digest
Peter Vickery, Avian ecologist, Center for Bio. Conservation, MA Audubon
Julie Zickefoose, Nature Artist & Author
Additional instructors to be announced.