Mountains to Sea Birding for Teens

Birding from Borestone Mountain Sanctuary to Hog Island, Maine.

All participants must agree to the COVID-19 Camp Guidelines - please read before registering.

June 25–30, 2023

SOLD OUT - Waitlist

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Designed for ages 14-17 only

This intensive 5-night program will cover boreal to coastal bird species in Maine. We will spend part of the week at Maine Audubon's Borestone Mountain Sanctuary looking for northern maine bird species. The remaining part of the week we will stay on Hog Island and explore the coast for shorebirds, nesting species, and puffins! A service component will be included during the week so that teens can be hands-on and a tour of the Mad River Decoys by Audubon will be provided, including a paint-your-own decoy activity. Teens will learn about conservation projects around the world and see how decoys are produced to bring back species. An emphasis will be placed on creating field notebooks throughout the week. For more info on field notebooks check out this blog post on the ABA website.

The historic cottages at Borestone and Hog Island will be more rustic in nature than the traditional Hog Island cabins. All participants should bring a sleeping bag and prepare for camping conditions while at Borestone and dorms at Hog Island. Electricity will be provided at Borestone but phone reception is very limited and there will be no internet available at either camp. Be prepared to unplug during the week and get connected to the outdoors!

Prices: $1690 for individual enrollment, includes all meals, housing, instruction, and all boat trips. Participants must arrange transportation to and from the Portland International Jetport in Portland, Maine where we will start and end our trip. For campers that are 14 years old - due to airline restrictions you CANNOT fly independently to camp - call if you have questions. Participants must arrive between 10:30am and 1pm on Sunday at the Portland International Jetport and we will drop-off at the airport between 9:30 and 10am on Friday. If participants arrive early on Sunday, please wait for our staff at baggage claim. Check with your local Audubon chapter or bird club for scholarship availability.

$1690 for individual enrollment, includes all meals, lodging, and travel to and from the Portland Jetport

Mountains to Sea Birding for Teens is designed for participants ages 14 to 17 years old with an avid interest in birds. Limit of 14 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 questions to be completed by the teen and their guardian. These materials will be emailed to participants.

Wait list
If the session is sold out, it is a good idea to add your name to the wait list. Waitlist individuals will be notified immediately if there is an opening in the order they are on the list.

Questions: For questions regarding the program, registration, lodging or meals, contact the Audubon Camp program manager at hogisland@audubon.org or (207) 360-7733. Additional information can be found on the lodging and frequently asked questions page.

Director
Holly Merker, Birding Guide, Author, and Educator

2023 Teen Leaders
Doug Hitchcox, Naturalist and Birding Guide, Maine Audubon
Emma Rhodes, Avaian Biologist and Master Bander; Founding Director of Banding Coalition of the Americas

Guest Educator
Eva Matthews Lark, Senior Manager of Public Programs and Costa Rica Teen Director, Seabird Institute and Hog Island
Eric Snyder, Facilities & Sanctuary Manager, Seabird Restoration Program

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.