By Carole Prendergast
The Camp’s Ambassador program provides a scripted slide show and hand-out materials for group presentations like the one Carol describes below. Contact Seth Benz, camp director, for available dates at sbenz@maineaudubon.org, or call Maine Audubon at (207) 781-2330.
Stand at Rachel Carson’s tidal pool on Pemaquid Point in Maine. Throw a stone into the Atlantic Ocean. Watch the ripples move out smoothly to impact the larger ocean. As I stood at the pool last summer at the end of a week on Hog Island, I thought about how each Friend of Hog Island could create that ripple effect to ensure the camp’s future.
My small “stone throw” this year happened in Indiana at the American Association of School Librarians Convention, a gathering of about 2,000 educators. A school colleague and I presented on our school’s success with “Classroom Feederwatch,” an interdisciplinary program coordinated by the Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology in conjunction with the National Audubon Society.
As we explained how the program works and the way we use Classroom Feederwatch in our library and classrooms, participants wanted to know where they could learn more about birds. I spoke of my experiences on Hog Island and showed them some camp-provided slides. I also handed out camp brochures.
By the way, I also convinced my colleague that she needs to come with me to Field Ornithology this summer. Our school district is, in fact, paying for both of us to attend so that we can improve our knowledge of birds to pass on to our students.
Every Friend of Hog Island belongs to several professional organizations that look for programs and presentations at monthly and annual meetings. Right in your own town, a local nature group might allow you to give a presentation. Think about the local, state, and national nature groups you belong to and could influence.
Rachel Carson wanted us to promote conservation and help preserve the planet. By teaching children about birds and bringing more educators and youth leaders to camp, we widen the ripple of conservation. If each member of Friends of Hog Island presented the slide show to just one group or conference each year, think of how the ripple would widen nationally. Last year, as I lead a car caravan of Friends of Hog Island to visit Rachel Carson’s pond following the Work & Learn week, I wondered if they would love it as much as I do.
I know that we all love Hog Island. Let’s do what we can to help it grow and prosper.
Carole Prendergast is a library media specialist in a K-3 elementary school. When not in her library, she can be found in book stores, libraries, hiking in the White Mountains, or birdwatching. Carole has attended Audubon camps in Connecticut and Wyoming, though the Camp in Maine is her favorite.
