While I may be biased and think there is always something special happening at Fields Pond Audubon Center, this past spring has been especially exciting! Nestled on 230 acres of varied habitat, our center hosts day camp programs that are rooted in connecting local youth to the natural world through curiosity, exploration, and hands-on discovery. Recently that mission has come to life in some truly inspiring ways.
One highlight from our recent vacation camps has been a new activity developed in partnership with the Maine Forest Service. Campers were introduced to the invasive Hemlock Woolly Adelgid (HWA), a tiny insect with a big impact on Maine hemlock trees. Equipped with dichotomous keys (tools used to identify species using paired choices), magnifiers, and data sheets, the campers took to the woods where they identified hemlock trees and searched for signs of HWA. To connect their exploration to a bigger effort, the kids then contributed their findings to a real community scientific effort through the Gulf of Maine Research Institute’s ongoing HWA monitoring project.
This activity, first launched during February Vacation Camp, has now grown beyond camp itself. We’ve since run it with our Homeschool Naturalists program, afterschool program students, and visiting school field trips—expanding its impact and empowering even more students to contribute to meaningful community science conservation work both here at Fields Pond and back in their home communities.
Another exciting collaboration has been with Bangor’s Husson University, where pre-service educators are joining us at camp! This gives campers an opportunity to work with and learn from university students, and provides Husson students invaluable hands-on environmental education experience.
During February Vacation Camp, Husson education students joined us one morning to lead outdoor activities designed and modeled by Fields Pond staff. They are returning again for a morning during April Vacation Camp, this time with environmentally-focused activities that they designed through their Methods of Teaching Science class. Fields Pond staff provided feedback and guidance both in reviewing the planned activities ahead of their visit, and through reflection after delivery to help strengthen their lesson plans and teaching approaches—especially when it comes to engaging kids in outdoor, nature-based learning. With more opportunities like this one, Fields Pond hopes to support the next generation of educators who understand the importance of connecting students with nature.
As our connections with the community grow, we’re looking forward to an incredible summer of camps at Fields Pond Audubon Center. From hands-on science investigations to creative outdoor play and exploration, our programs are designed to spark curiosity, build confidence, and foster a lifelong appreciation for the natural world.
Whether your child is a budding scientist, an adventurous explorer, or simply loves spending time outside, our summer camps offer something truly special. More information can be found here regarding upcoming camp opportunities. Or if you think you may have a creative community partnership idea, I’d love to hear from you! Feel free to reach out to me at sraymond-boyan@maineaudubon.org.
