2008 Camp Attendees

Campers Rave about Their Experiences

Thanks to your generosity, Eastside Audubon sent eight low-income students to environmental camps this summer.  These lucky middle-school students attended either day or overnight camps.  The reviews are in, and everyone had an awesome time – whether backpacking in the Olympic National Forest, floating the Wenatchee River, building a volcano or exploring a tide pool.  Members of the Youth Education Committee drove campers and so heard firsthand about their amazing experiences.  Every day was a new adventure for our campers.  Their memories will last a lifetime.

In return for the scholarships, campers will write an article for the newsletter, speak at a membership meeting or volunteer to help the Youth Education Committee at an event.  In fact, some of you may have seen campers helping out at our Marymoor Bird Festival grand opening celebration.  In the future, look for news from other students as they give back to Eastside Audubon for their generosity.

Special thanks to REI for the generous donation of over $800.00 worth of equipment.  We now have a cache of items to loan to campers each year.

Quotes from Camp Attendees

“We learned to slow down and take a seat if you really want to enjoy the beauty nature has to offer.   We each had our own sit spots where we just sat down and held still and let wilderness come to us.”

“It had taught me to open my senses and pay attention to the environment that was once invisible to me.  More importantly, the time and contribution from Eastside Audubon members made this experience unforgettable.   Thank you for your generosity.”

September, 2008, Corvid Crier article by Mary Britton-Simmons