BERGEN COUNTY AUDUBON SOCIETYHOG ISLAND SCHOLARSHIP AWARD
Audubon’s Hog Island in Maine hosts educational programs focused on ornithology, ecology and conservation. Hog Island programs feature world-class instructors and are available to people of all ages. Bergen County Audubon Society will proudly award one full scholarship for one of the camp sessions listed below.
Arts and Birding June4-9, 2017
Hone your birding skills during the height of nesting season.Immerse yourself in the sights, sounds, and rhythms of life on an island on Maine’s stunningly beautiful rocky coast! You’ll find plenty of creative inspiration in the company of artists who share an enthusiasm for birds and nature and you’ll be able to learn from some of the country’s best photographers and artists. This program includes fun birding adventures, as well as more in-depth study in your choice specialty of photography or sketching/painting.
Coastal Maine Bird Studies for Teens June 11-16, 2017 OR June 18-23, 2017
Get ready for an action-packed program.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). For teens 14-17, (14 years olds CANNOT fly independently to camp - call if you have questions).
Field Ornithology June 18-23, 2017
Learn about bird migration, ecology and family life of birds with discussion and field trips led by expert ornithologists and bird guides. 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 raucous heronry. You'll come home with amazing memories and a solid understanding of bird biology and ecology.
Raptor Rapture July 9-14, 2017
Immerse yourself in the fascinating world of birds ofprey, with a special emphasis on Maine’s thriving osprey and eagle populations. The gorgeous forests, grasslands and remote islands of mid-coast Maine are home to many hawks, eagles, falcons, vultures and owls. Immerse yourself in the fascinating world of birds of prey, with a special emphasis on Maine's thriving osprey population - including the famous osprey pair Rachel and Steve, Hog Island's own online nest-cam stars. You'll have a chance to work with some of the world's most respected raptor biologists, try your hand at raptor photography, hone your identification skills, and learn more about the critical role these birds play in the environment.
Sharing Nature: An Educator's Week July 16-21, 2017
Learn inspiring and practical environmental activities to incorporate into your teaching while exploring coastal habitats with expert naturalists. Workshops using techniques in art, music, theater, journaling, and other disciplines will be presented, as well as a host of classic Audubon Camp field trips, including a boat trip to the restored Atlantic Puffin and Tern colony on Eastern Egg Rock, intertidal explorations, and hiking through Hog Island's unspoiled spruce-fir forest. The experiences provide a wonderful opportunity to be learning outside in a beautiful setting, while also considering how you can take back some of these insights and methods to your students back home. We'll be exploring citizen science, creating some inquiry-based lessons on birds and other topics, and demonstrating both low and high-tech methods of teaching.
Activities include hiking, bird-watching and exploring islands in Muscongus Bay, including migratory hot-spot Monhegan Island and Eastern Egg Rock, site of a restored Atlantic puffin colony. In some sessions, campers take a bird census or clear invasive weeds from nesting sites. In others, they draw and photograph birds. In the evenings, they eat dishes including lobster and "cream puffins" and listen to lectures in a 19th-century farmhouse overlooking the ocean. Campers stay in turn-of-the-century lodges and cottages with views of the water. For information about Hog Island, please visit hogisland.audubon.org.
Those interested should apply in writing telling us why you would like to attend the camp and how you plan on using the knowledge you gain from the camp. You may apply for more than one camp session but there will only be one scholarship awarded. Please also include a shortsummary of your previous experience and any training you may have had. Recipient is required to publicly share their Hog Island experience upon their return and to give something back to Bergen County Audubon Society by volunteering for a future event or events. If for any reason the camp session you are applying for is filled, we will offer an alternate camp session. Minimum age of 18 for all programs other than teen camp sessions.
Open immediately to all New Jersey residents/teachers, all submissions must be received by January 15, 2017. Recipient will bechosen by the Bergen County Audubon Society board by February 1, 2017 and notified shortly thereafter. Entries should be mailed to: Bergen County Audubon Society P.O. Box 235 Paramus, NJ 07653 Attention: Marie Longo or emailed to Marie Longo .
PLEASE NOTE: scholarship is for the camp only,the recipient is responsiblefortransportation to and from the camp.