Mountains to Sea Birding for Teens
June 29 – July 4, 2025
SOLD OUT
Registration is open now for the 2025 Camp season! All campers must agree to the Camper Guidelines and Cancellation Policy. Please read this policy before registering.
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In this exciting and unique session, campers will have the opportunity to bird their way across the state of Maine. This intensive 5-night program will spend half the week on Hog Island and the other half at Maine Audubon’s Borestone Mountain Sanctuary. Throughout the week we will explore the rocky coastline, marsh, grasslands, mature northern spruce-fir forest, and offshore islands in search of nesting bird species. Teens will develop their bird identification skills and learn more about the ecosystems that support birds and global conservation projects. Hog Island will serve as our base for coastal adventures like a boat trip to Eastern Egg Rock and tide-pooling, and at Borestone we will explore the crystalline lakes surrounding the lodge and summit Borestone mountain.
This rugged experience is perfect for teens who are ready to unplug and connect to nature. Phone reception on Hog Island and Borestone is limited and there will be no internet available at either camp. To limit screen time and promote a community where we are present with ourselves and others, teens will turn in their cell phones to instructors each night before bed.
Pricing: $1725
The base registration fee includes meals, housing, instruction, and all field trips. This price is based on a standard shared room (with 2 twin beds) a shared bathroom.
Transportation: For this session, all campers will be picked up and dropped off at the Portland International Jetport by Audubon staff. 14 years olds are required to be unaccompanied minors by most airlines. If your child is flying to camp, please book a flight that arrives between 11am-1pm on Sunday, June 29 and departs no earlier than 11 am on Friday July 4. If you are driving your child to camp, you can drop them off at the baggage claim of Portland airport between 11am-1pm on Sunday, June 29 and pick them up at 10am on Friday, July 4.
There are several different scholarship opportunities available to help participants attend Hog Island sessions! Please see our scholarships page for more information about Hog Island Scholarships. You should also check with your local Audubon chapter or bird club for additional opportunities.
Requirements: This program requires emotional maturity and physical stamina. Campers must be able to hike 3 miles and be able to travel independently. Campers must also be okay with the limited screen time and contact when we have poor cell reception throughout the trip.
Instructors:
Doug Hitchcox grew up in Hollis, ME and graduated from the University of Maine in 2011. Throughout college Doug worked at Scarborough Marsh Audubon Center and was hired as Maine Audubon’s staff naturalist in the summer of 2013 -- a long-time "dream job." In his free time, Doug volunteers as one of Maine's eBird reviewers, is the owner and moderator of the "Maine-birds" listserv, and serves as a York County Audubon board member and member of the Maine Bird Records Committee.
Lindsay Strout is a Maine high school science educator who is very passionate about the outdoors and all it has to offer! She studied at the University of Prince Edward Island majoring in Biology and minoring in Environmental Studies. She then left North America and headed to South Korea to teach English for a few years, then traveled for an additional year to 9 other countries, living out of a backpack, exploring the various cultures, food and languages. Upon returning to Maine, she was introduced to nature journaling and currently teaches wildlife biology at Sanford High School. Last year, Lindsay finished her year-long course to become a Maine Master Naturalist as well! She grew up in a very outdoorsy family, from hiking and bicycling to canoe camping. She can’t wait to share her passion for the outdoors and nature journaling with you this summer!
NOTE: Audubon reserves the right to alter itineraries, instructors and particular arrangements, or to substitute similar itineraries or arrangements, at no penalty. If Audubon cancels a session, it will issue full refunds of all deposits or payments to the paid participants.
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