Two people sitting in a bird blind while a tern flies by.
Hog Island Explore Camps

Coastal Maine Bird Studies for Teens

June 14-19, 2026 or June 21-26, 2026

Coastal Maine Bird Studies for Teens is designed for youth aged 14-17 who want to be a part of a community of passionate, caring, and curious young people with an interest in birding. If you are a young birder who wants to further develop your skills, adventure to birding hot spots in coastal Maine, learn about coastal ecology and conservation, make new friends, and have fun doing it then this session is for you! 

Throughout the week you will immerse yourself in the bounties of summertime on the Maine coast through activities like boat trips, field trips to mainland birding spots, tide pooling, spruce forest hikes, nature journaling and more! You will experience the diversity of birds that summer in coastal Maine and gain a deep understanding of their habitat, food sources, ecology, and conservation. This session has the VERY special privilege of landing on Eastern Egg Rock to experience a day in the life of a seabird researcher (weather and seas permitting).  

Please be aware that CMBS is not your average bird camp! Our focus is not about getting the highest number of species on our list, but on appreciating birds, observing the natural world around us, learning about bird conservation, and building a supportive community where we can all grow as birders and as individuals. The Coastal Maine Bird Studies for Teens programs run concurrently with the adult sessions Joy of Birding and Field Ornithology and share many instructors. This is a wonderful opportunity for teens to learn from many different highly skilled instructors throughout the week.  

Note: To limit screen time and promote a community where we are present with ourselves and others, teens will turn in their cell phones to instructors each night before bed.  

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Pricing: $1,725

Maine residents are eligible for a $150 in-state discount for this session! After you register, contact hogisland@audubon.org to confirm your residency and the discount will be applied to your account.

The base registration fee includes meals, housing, instruction, and all field trips. Campers will be assigned a shared room with a roommate of the same gender identity.

Transportation: If you are driving your teen to camp, drop off and pick up will be at the Hog Island dock located at 12 Audubon Rd in Bremen Maine. Please plan to drop your child off between 1-3 PM on Sunday and pick them up at 8 am on Friday.

For an additional $100 we can transport teen campers who are flying in for camp to and from the Portland International Jetport. Please be aware that 14-year-olds are required to use the unaccompanied minor services by most airlines. For the shuttle service, please book flights that arrive in Portland between 11:30am-1pm on Sunday and depart no earlier than 11am on Friday. Pickup will occur in the baggage claim at the Portland International Jetport between 12pm-1pm on Sunday, and drop off will be at 9:30am on Friday.  

There are several scholarship opportunities available to help participants attend Hog Island sessions! Please see the scholarships page for more information about Hog Island Scholarships. You should also check with your local Audubon chapter or bird club for additional opportunities.

This session is open to teens (age 14-17) of all skill levels, but this program does require a genuine interest in learning about birds and emotional maturity. 

Landing on Eastern Egg Rock requires a degree of physical mobility and the ability to focus in an overstimulating environment. There is no dock and participants must be able to navigate boulders, slippery rockweed, and narrow, uneven trails.

Session I Instructors: Christina Baal, Sean McLaughlin, Mik Oyler

Session II Instructors: Joshua Potter, Emma Rhodes, Nathaniel Sharp

NOTE: Audubon reserves the right to alter itineraries, instructors and particular arrangements, or to substitute similar itineraries or arrangements, at no penalty. If Audubon cancels a session, it will issue full refunds of all deposits or payments to the paid participants.