This summer, our seasonal camp staff and high school Environmental Education Assistants donned their signature Maine Audubon Summer Camp T-shirts and got to work planning and creating a summer of joy and learning centered around Maine wildlife.
It’s hard to believe but we’re already halfway through summer! At the Gilsland Farm camp in Falmouth, we’re taking this week off to rest and reflect. We wanted to share some highlights so you get a sense of what the campers are doing and learning, so here are a few highlights from the first four weeks of camp at Gilsland Farm.
Discovery Kids Campers (age 5-9)
• Launched seed balls into the meadow as a reward for completing a week-long Bird Bingo
• Crafted the frog life cycle out of compostable salt dough
• Dissected owl pellets
• Took a bird walk with field naturalist Andy Kapinos
• Worked together to write and illustrate their own field guide
• Plastered and painted animal tracks
• Learned about Fish Lead Free with Natalie Conn from Conservation
Saplings (ages 4-5)
• Celebrated Animal Helpers week by meeting staff from Communications, Conservation, Properties and Coastal Birds, and asked how their jobs help animals (check out this awesome reel on Instagram!)
• Sat on the tractor and tried out the gears
• Created bark rubbing booklets
Sprouts (age 3-5)
• Made a bird puppet show
• Played in a portable mud kitchen in Moose Woods
• Made watercolor out of salt water after exploring the salt marsh
This year, campers have been able to learn from a variety of Maine Audubon staff about their work around the state to protect Maine wildlife. Thanks to our camp staff and special guests for supporting the first four weeks. After the break, we’ll return to a dual art-themed week for both Saplings and Discovery Kids. Stay tuned for updates!
