Location:  Online - Zoom
Two 1.5 hours sessions on April 11 & 18 from 10-11:30 am
Members $23, Nonmembers $25

We will be doing this workshop with Zoom.  We will have two 1.5 hours sessions on April 11 & 18 from 10-11:30.  There will be some minimal homework to bring it up to the 4 hour requiremnt for the class.  Participants will be mailed their book and contact hour certificate, at the completion of the course.

This in-depth workshop is designed to provide training for early childhood educators.

 Growing Up WILD is an education program that builds on children’s sense of wonder about nature and invites them to explore wildlife and the world around them. Through a wide range of activities and experiences, Growing Up WILD provides an early foundation for developing positive impressions about the natural world and lifelong social and academic skills.

Growing Up WILD is a multi-award winning program having received the 2009 Family Choice Award and the 2011 Renewable Natural Resource Foundation Excellence in Journalism Award.

• Workshop participants will receive the activity guide, Growing Up WILD: Exploring Nature with Young Children, which:
• Is written especially for early childhood educators of children ages 3-7.
• Features 27 field-tested, hands-on, nature based, ready-made thematic units.
• Includes outdoor explorations, scientific inquiry, art projects, music, health and movement, conservation activities, reading and math connections.
• Involves social, emotional, physical, language, and cognitive domains to help foster learning and development in all areas.
• Supports developmentally appropriate practice allowing children to learn at levels that are individually, socially, and culturally appropriate.
• Is correlated to the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) Standards and the Head Start Domains

Member price $60 per day, Non-member price $75 per day

Sign up for individual days or all week!

Location: VIRTUAL

Ages: For campers currently in grades K-5

Each day we will explore the landscape of Gilsland Farm, learn together about a daily wildlife theme, make connections with a story at lunch, enjoy free play, and wrap-up with an activity or craft tying into that day's topic.

Daily Camp themes

Spring Birds - Monday, April 20th, 2020

As some of our birds begin their migratory return to Maine, we’ll introduce and practice skills for spotting & ID’ing feathered friends around Gilsland Farm. 

Tracking - Tuesday, April 21st, 2020 

Who’s been here? Although it can be tricky to spot wildlife, paying attention to the clues they leave behind often leads you on their path. We’ll work together the look for signs of animal life - scat, tracks, territorial markings, homes - and see what we can learn from following our wild neighbors! 

Earth Day! - Wednesday, April 22nd, 2020

While we celebrate Earth everyday at Maine Audubon, this is an extra special chance to show appreciation for the amazing planet we call home! Through art, games, and fun we’ll commemorate the 50th Anniversary of Earth Day together. 

Pond Explorers - Thursday, April 23rd, 2020

The pond at Gilsland Farm holds so many mysteries just waiting to be discovered! We’ll spend our day looking and listening around it’s banks for wetland birds and freshly-awakening pond life. Come see what’s going on down at the pond! 

Animal Actions - Friday, April 24th, 2020

On the last day of April camp, we’ll enjoy a Live Animal Show (10:30-11:30 am) put on by the Center for Wildlife and their animal ambassadors. We’ll end our day together figuring out ways we can each help Maine’s wildlife through the coming seasons.

Cancellation Policy

Register for single days or the whole week!

Location: Gilsland Farm

Ages 3-5

Our half-day (9am-1pm) preschool camps are an opportunity for children ages 3-5 to learn about winter wildlife through play and outdoor adventure. Our daily schedule includes time for art, hiking, free play, games, stories, and songs.

Partial scholarships are available to those who need financial assistance. Please call 207-781-2330 x.273 or email scholarships@maineaudubon.org. You may also download the Maine Audubon Financial Aid Form (pdf). 

Preschool Camp Frequestly Asked Questions (pdf)

Monday: Who needs a habitat?
What do plants and animals need to survive? How can people protect and provide habitat for wildlife? We’ll explore some special habitats and Gilsland Farm and plant seeds to take home. 

Tuesday: Nature Art
We’ll practice observation and naturalist skills today as we use natural objects to inspire and create art both inside and outside! 

Wednesday: Earth Day
Today is the 50th anniversary of Earth Day! We’ll celebrate and show our gratitude for the earth with a special stewardship project.

Thursday: Springtime Birds
Birds are migrating back to Maine, and even those that stayed the winter are becoming more vocal. We will practice making and identifying bird calls, and will look and listen for birds around Gilsland Farm. 

Friday: Pond Investigations
Now that the ice has melted, we will visit the pond to look, listen, and scoop for creatures! Along the way, we’ll learn about the life cycles of different pond creatures.

Members: $12, Nonmembers: $15

Location: Online

PLEASE NOTE: We're working out the details of making this an online event. Please check back for details. 

Maine Outdoor Film Festival presents the seventh annual special conservation-themed version of the popular film tour.  Join us for a curated selection of short independent films featuring the outdoors, a beverage, and an evening celebration of Earth Day. 

Titles are still being determined. Check back for more information.

Sponsored by Allagash Brewing, and Chickadee Wine.

This event is 21+.

Our theme is: What Can you Do Today That Tomorrow Will Thank You For?

We'll have programs and displays, crafts and activities - all about what you can do to support the first two R's of Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. This event is for all ages.

Here's a sample of some of the organizations and people that will be here:

ReVision Energy will be on hand to talk solar energy

ecoMaine will display some of the Upcycle 2020 Challenge submissions https://www.ecomaine.org/upcycle2020/

Master Food Preservers from the University of Maine Cooperative Extension will be here to demonstrate how to preserve foods to reduce waste

Anna Hewitt, a Master Food Preserver, will share her passion for finding the satisfaction of making things by hand and finding abundance from what might seem like waste.

Cathryn Falwell - Maine author of the new book "A Space for Me" and many other children's classics.

This event is sponsored by ReVision Energy

Members: $10/class, Nonmembers: $15/class

Location: Gilsland Farm

Join Deb Cook for the return of longer days, springtime energies, and Monday Night Yoga. Beginning Deb will lead a weekly class blend of Meditation, Gentle Yoga and Yoga Nidra/Deep Relaxation as we tune in to the emergence of spring. This popular class is open to all levels, no experience and all experience is welcome.  

Class begins at 5:15pm with a 10-minute guided meditation to cultivate relaxation and awareness. This is followed by a mix of gentle yoga and ends with a Yoga Nidra (a guided relaxation that relaxes and restores core energy). Participants can come for the full 75 minutes or arrive at 5:30 as schedules allow.

Deb is a Kripalu-certified Yoga Teacher and Kripalu-certified Yoga Nidra Guide, and has been leading meditation and yoga classes and retreats at beautiful nature-based locations in Maine for 20 years.  Please bring your own mat and any props you may like to use in your practice. Feel free to contact Deb for more information at liveyourpractice@gmail.com.

Location: Gilsland Farm, Falmouth
Members $23, Nonmembers $25

This in-depth 4-hour workshop is designed to provide training for early childhood educators.

 Growing Up WILD is an education program that builds on children’s sense of wonder about nature and invites them to explore wildlife and the world around them. Through a wide range of activities and experiences, Growing Up WILD provides an early foundation for developing positive impressions about the natural world and lifelong social and academic skills.

Growing Up WILD is a multi-award winning program having received the 2009 Family Choice Award and the 2011 Renewable Natural Resource Foundation Excellence in Journalism Award.

• Workshop participants will receive the activity guide, Growing Up WILD: Exploring Nature with Young Children, which:
• Is written especially for early childhood educators of children ages 3-7.
• Features 27 field-tested, hands-on, nature based, ready-made thematic units.
• Includes outdoor explorations, scientific inquiry, art projects, music, health and movement, conservation activities, reading and math connections.
• Involves social, emotional, physical, language, and cognitive domains to help foster learning and development in all areas.
• Supports developmentally appropriate practice allowing children to learn at levels that are individually, socially, and culturally appropriate.
• Is correlated to the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) Standards and the Head Start Domains

***This program has been cancelled due to COVID-19 travel restrictions.***

Penobscot people and communities have been stewarding habitat and other natural resources in what is now Maine for millenia.  Even recently, Penobscot leadership is credited with international conservation success stories such as the Penobscot River Restoration Project.  Join long-time Natural Resources Director for the Penobscot Nation, John Banks, as he shares stories and weaves learning from his ancestors, childhood, education, and illustrious career.

For questions about accessibility or to request accommodations, please contact Beth Pauls at 207.781.2330 x273 or email bpauls@maineaudubon.org.  Two weeks advance notice of need for accommodation is requested.