Black River Audubon Society
Hog Island Scholarships
2025 Scholarship Information
Black River Audubon Society will again be offering Hog Island birding camp scholarships for one adult educator or naturalist and two teen birders. The successful adult applicant will acquire additional skills to educate students and the public about bird conservation and wildlife and the environment in general. Similarly, the successful teen applicant will broaden their knowledge of birds and the environment in general. The scholarship will cover tuition, room & board, plus up to $600 in travel expenses.
The goal is that recipients will follow the examples of others who have returned from Hog Island as ambassadors for conservation and environmental education in our communities.
Campers spend one week on the island off the coast of Maine learning from accomplished naturalists, birders, and educators. In the off hours, they can explore the camp’s natural surroundings and rustic buildings that have a long history with National Audubon. No one has ever returned with anything but excitement for the opportunity they had.
One adult reservation is available for the BRAS scholarship winner for the Sharing Nature: An Educator’s Week camp (Aug 10-15), although other camps might also be possible. Two reservations are available for Costal Marine Bird Studies for Teens – Two (June 15-20).
All application materials must be sent to Black River Audubon by February 14,2025. Individuals interested in applying for the scholarship should contact Charlie Weil at BlackRiverAudubon@gmail.com or call 440-864-1617 for the application materials. Be sure to leave a message if calling.
For more details and description of the camping experience, go to hogisland.audubon.org
All application materials must be sent to Black River Audubon by February 14, 2025
2024 Scholarship Winner: Sue Newcomb
I had the pleasure this past July to participate in National Audubon Society’s summer educators camp at Hog Island, Maine, sponsored by Black River Audubon. It was an action packed week filled with workshops, hiking and lots of birding!
This week of camp was primarily for educators and naturalists and I met and bonded with some of the “ best.” Individuals came from a wide range of teaching experiences and a wider range of ages that helped to round the week into one with lots of opportunities to share and reflect on our love for all things birds and nature.
The teaching staff was excellent and each person brought and shared their knowledge with enthusiasm! Camp started each morning with an optional exercise, yoga or meditation activity. After a hearty, locally sourced breakfast I was off to a morning activity.
My first day was a boat trip on the inner bay to bird watch. Eagles abounded as did guillemots, eiders, osprey and various gulls including Bonaparte and laughing gulls. Each afternoon as the other group went birding on the boat, my group selected a workshop to participate in. Workshops were offered each day and might include nature journaling, study of native Maine culture, hiking the island ( roughly 2.5 miles!), or having a lecture on birds or other nature topics.
The evening consisted of a gathering of all participants and having discussions on a range of topics or what each group could share about their experiences that day.
Of course, the much-awaited day to travel via boat to the outer bay and visit Eastern Egg Rock, (it’s really a BIG ROCK, only about 20’ above sea level at high tide) was the highlight of the week. I viewed more Atlantic Puffins in and around the area than I ever imagined possible seeing in one place! I also saw razorbills and other birds mentioned before.
The island and inner bay are truly what you might imagine the coast of Maine to be! The facilities are rustic and accommodating. The food is sensational, chef-prepared and sourced locally. If the weather permits, you eat outdoors on picnic tables under a canopy! It’s all very camp-like with a touch of luxury! Each year Black River Audubon offers a full scholarship(plus expenses)for an adult educator or naturalist and two teen birders. This is a wonderful opportunity to expand your horizons and start in a new direction to protect the environment, our bird friends, and the great diversity of other plants and animals.
Please contact Charlie Weil at BlackRiverAudubon@gmail.com for more information and an application. An opportunity of a lifetime awaits you!
Sue Newcomb, retired science teacher
2024 recipient of Black River Audubon Hog Island scholarship