Location: Scarborough Marsh

Registration not required.

Join us for this Wednesday morning Bird Walk.  We meet at the Nature Center and check out the birds there and head to local hot spots in Scarborough.  We may hit Pine Point, the Eastern Trail, Pelreco and Dunstan Landing. 

Discover the meandering Dunstan River on your self-guided exploration. We'll provide a canoe/kayak, map, and life jackets.

Cost: $20/hour; $28/1.5 hours; $35/2 hours

($45 maximum; Discounts on Thursdays and for members)

Members $11, Nonmembers $13
Children $10

Experience the wildlife and plants of Scarborough Marsh as you paddle the Dunstan River. Paddling through the marsh, you will be exposed to its many inhabitants, from the snowy egret catching fish along the edge of the river to the mummichogs swimming in the water. A trained naturalist will show you the numerous marsh plants and even give you a taste of an edible one.

This tour is suitable for both novice and experienced paddlers. 

No reservations are needed.  If you have questions, you can e-mail smac@maineaudubon.org or call 207-883-5100.

*Registration opens February 15!*

Member: $228 Nonmember: $285
Ages 3-5
9am-1pm
Location: Gilsland Farm

Our half-day camps provide a gentle introduction to camp for children ages three through five. We will spend each week learning about the plants and animals at Gilsland Farm through hands-on exploration, outdoor play, art, music, and more! Our daily adventures will foster an understanding of and appreciation for the natural world.

Preschool Camp Frequently Asked Questions (pdf)

Through the generosity of local businesses, organizations and individuals, partial scholarships are available for Maine residents who need financial assistance. For more information, please call: (207) 781-2330, ext. 273 or email scholarships@maineaudubon.org. You may also download the Maine Audubon Financial Aid Form (pdf). 

Dates and themes:

June 15-19: Naturalists in Training
How do naturalists explore their surroundings? What tools do scientists use to study nature? Wonder will abound this week as we take in all that Gilsland Farm has to offer. 

June 29-July 3: Bugs!
Whether they have six legs, eight legs, or no legs at all, this week is all about the creatures we call “bugs!” We’ll look high, low (and even underwater) for bugs to observe, and will learn about the important ecological roles they play in the habitats around us. 

July 13-17: Growing Like Me
What do caterpillars and tadpoles have in common? How can you tell how old a turtle is? We’ll explore many habitats this week to see plant and animal life cycles in action!

August 3-7: Things with Wings
Have you ever wished you could fly? This week we will turn our attention skyward for a closer look at birds, bats, butterflies, bees, and moths! 

August 17-21: Animal Families
What is life like for a piping plover chick? How many sisters does a honeybee have? This week we’ll learn that animal families come in all shapes and sizes! 

Members $5, Nonmembers $7

Location: Scarborough Marsh

Explore the marsh for plants and animals through discovery-oriented, fun-filled activities that use all five senses. Participants will touch the marsh fish, the mummichog, look for the many migrating and resident birds, and look through algae to discover the minute creatures living there. This program is for "children" of all ages.

No reservations are needed.  If you have questions, you can email smac@maineaudubon.org or call 207-883-5100.

Members $12, Nonmembers $14

Experience the marsh at this beautiful time of day.  See the reflection of the setting sun on the calm waters of the Dunstan River, observe the herons and shorebirds flying back to their roosts, and enjoy the sounds of the evening marsh.

Please arrive a half hour before start time.

Advanced registration necessary. Call (207) 883-5100, Press O

*REGISTRATION OPENS 2/15*

Member $315/Non-member $390

Location: Gilsland Farm Audubon Sanctuary
For Campers entering Grades 1-5

Our K-5 campers spend their days engaged in hands-on science, open-ended exploration and discovery, and activities designed to foster stewardship and build connection to the natural world--all while developing friendships, building community, and having fun!

Through the generosity of local businesses, organizations and individuals, partial scholarships are available for Maine residents who need financial assistance. For more information, please call: (207) 781-2330, ext. 273 or email scholarships@maineaudubon.org. You may also download the Maine Audubon Financial Aid Form (pdf).

Summer camp registration will open on Feb. 15, 2020.

June 22-26: Amazing Adaptations 

How do animals do what they do?! This week we will learn about the amazing ways animals use their physical and behavioral adaptations to survive in the wild. We’ll even venture out on a field trip to see what adaptations abound in the tidepools along our coast.

June 29-July 3: Wildlife Wonders

Here in Maine we are lucky to live alongside so many wild neighbors. We will spend this week investigating the critters who also call this state home, including taking a trip to visit the Maine Wildlife Park.

July 6-10: Nature Art 

Nature offers countless opportunities to create art! The natural world can be our drawing implements, our blank canvas, our studio, and even our paint! What art can we make with the beauty of Gilsland Farm to inspire us? A visit from a local nature-artist will offer guidance as we develop our own nature art styles. 

July 13-17: Bird Bonanza

Birding is a great way to cue into the wildlife around us! By visiting various habitats here on site, and even joining our Shorebird Conservation Crew for a day in the field, we’ll see how many types and species we can spot together. 

July 27-31: Homes & Habitats 

Where does wildlife go? How do they get there? What do they need and how can we help? This week we’ll look into how animals use various habitats, where humans sometimes present problems, and most importantly, what we can do to help Maine’s wildlife thrive!

August 3-7: “Bringing Nature Home” 

We can all make a difference for wildlife by planting native plants! We’ll get to know some favorite species, explore the many ways plants support insects, birds, and other wildlife, and participate in an ongoing habitat restoration project. 

August 10-14: Impressive Insects 

This week we’ll study our six-legged friends by observing and following these critters around Gilsland Farm. We’ll see how impressive insects really are! Thursday evening campers and families will be invited back to camp after hours to learn about those insects that come out for the night-shift.

August 17-21: Forest Fun

Join us for a week of forest fun to end the summer! The forest is an action-packed habitat, with so much to offer wildlife in terms of food, homes, and protection. We’ll unlock the mysteries of the forest, and take a field trip to compare the forests of Gilsland Farm to another in our area.

*Registration opens February 15!*

Members: $276, Nonmembers: $345
9am-3pm
Ages 4-5
Location: Gilsland 

Take a closer look at nature with full-day camps designed for a preschooler's pace! Each day includes indoor and outdoor play, plenty of hands-on exploration, art, music, and quiet rest time. 

Preschool Camp Frequently Asked Questions (pdf)

Through the generosity of local businesses, organizations and individuals, partial scholarships are available for Maine residents who need financial assistance. For more information, please call: (207) 781-2330, ext. 273 or email scholarships@maineaudubon.org. You may also download the Maine Audubon Financial Aid Form (pdf).

Dates and themes:

June 22-26: Wildlife Sleuths
What types of animal evidence do naturalists look for in nature? How do scientists find answers to their questions? We will put our brains to work this week as we explore and study the habitats of Gilsland Farm. 

July 6-10: Create with Nature
Nature and natural materials will inspire us this week! We will build and play outside, use found materials to create art, work collaboratively, and explore scientific phenomena through art.

July 27-31: Birds of a Feather
What makes a bird special? How do different birds find food, build nests, and raise their young? Through observation, play, and storytelling, we will spend the week getting to know some of Maine’s avian inhabitants.  

August 10-14: Habitat Heroes
We’ll flex our stewardship superpowers this week as we learn about native plants and habitat restoration, as well as ways that we can help wildlife at home.