Hog Island Audubon Camp

Designed for ages 14-17 only (14 years olds CANNOT fly independently to camp - call if you have questions), this intensive 6-day, 5-night program on Hog Island allows enthusiastic young birders to work with some of the country's best-known birders and ornithologists on field identification, bird ecology and conservation. Occurring concurrently with the adult Field Ornithology and Hands-on Bird Science sessions, and sharing many of the same instructors, this program includes the unique opportunity to see Audubon's seabird restoration work in action, and is the only Hog Island program that lands participants on Eastern Egg Rock during the puffin breeding season (weather and sea conditions permitting).

Immerse yourself in a week of all things avian, from bird biology to nesting behavior, songs, migration and conservation. Learn in small-group settings about field identification. Field Ornithology includes excursions to both mainland and coastal habitats, including offshore islands, windswept blueberry barrens, lush grasslands, and sphagnum bog forests (sensitive puffin-nesting islands will be observed by boat). Add some of the most respected bird experts in the country, and you have Field Ornithology on Hog Island. You'll learn in the woods and on the water - experiencing the dawn chorus with experts in bird song at your side; landing on seabird nesting islands to observe nesting behavior at arm's-length; discussing coloniality in the midst of a raucous heronry. You'll come home with amazing memories - and a solid understanding of bird biology and ecology.

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!