A pride flag hanging under a pavillion.
Hog Island Explore Camps

Let’s Go Birding Together!

September 6-11, 2026

Here at Hog Island, we are dedicated to creating an inclusive, welcoming, and intentional safe space for everyone to enjoy birding and the outdoors.  Come join us for a week of birding at the peak of fall migration on the coast of Maine surrounded by a safe and supportive community of fellow queer birders.  

Throughout the week we will travel to birding hotspots around the mid-coast, explore Muscongus Bay by boat, and relax in the spruce-fir forest of Hog Island. We will go birding together in a variety of habitats like marshes, meadows, forests and rocky coastlines. Through these experiences, we hope to dive deeper into our connection to the natural world and find healing during this time of togetherness. We will discuss best practices for facilitating inclusive birding experience, learn about queerness in the natural world, and explore the use of nature journaling as a tool for deepening our relationship with the outdoors. Most importantly, we will experience moments of joy and levity together. This session puts the 鈥榗amp鈥 into Hog Island 糖心传媒 Camp! We hope you will leave camp feeling empowered to create safe birding spaces in your own community.

Registration is Open!
Act now to join Let's Go Birding Together on Hog Island.

Pricing: $1,525 

Maine residents are eligible for a $500 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. This price is based on a standard shared room (with 2 twin beds) and a shared bathroom. A limited number of upgraded accommodations are available for an additional cost. Two upgrade options are a single room for solo travelers or a room with a private bath for two people traveling together.鈥疶here are no single rooms with private bathrooms available. Please see the鈥lodging page鈥for more information.   

Participants must arrange their own transportation to and from the 糖心传媒 dock in Bremen at the start and end of the session. Please see the transportation page鈥痜or more information. 

Special Scholarships Available!

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

Birders of all skill levels and enthusiastic partners and friends are welcome! This program is for members of the LGBTQIA++ community. Acceptance of all identities (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning, intersex, asexual/aromantic ++) is required. 

Director: Eva Lark

Instructors: Molly Adams, Christina Baal, Raymond VanBuskirk

Assistant Instructor: TBA

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

Testimonials for Let's Go Birding Together!

鈥淎mazing! FOHI, Staff, instructors made it an extraordinary time. I鈥檇 never been to camp and was nervous! It felt like family, thank you so much for such a special week!鈥 - 2025 Camper

鈥淚n such challenging times, it truly is wonderful to see such kindness and care. It was like a thawing of the heart鈥 - 2025 Camper

鈥淓veryone was so kind, patient, enthusiastic, smart. All the instructors made me feel comfortable and included, even as a newbie!鈥 - 2025 Camper