Our 2026 Scholarship Winner

Photo: Atlantic Puffins, Walker Golder/Audubon Photography Awards

This summer NVBA is sending Carrie Lombardi, science coach at Arlington’s Barrett Elementary School, to “Sharing Nature: An Educator’s Week” at National Audubon Society’s Hog Island Camp in Maine. Carrie has been an educator for over 15 years, primarily in upper elementary grades. Her interest in science began early in her career at Burgundy Farm Country Day School, where she experienced the value of outdoor education and began incorporating nature-based learning into science lessons.

Carrie has been at Barrett Elementary for the past four years where, as science coach, she collaborates with teachers across grade levels to strengthen science instruction. She also teaches Project Discovery, a hands-on science lab, to fourth- and fifth-grade students, where students engage in inquiry, experimentation, and observation.

Outside of school, she is a mom to three girls, ages 13, 11 and 9. With her husband and girls, she enjoys traveling and exploring national and state parks, which she reports has reinforced her belief in the importance of learning through real-world and outdoor experiences. 

She is looking forward to her time at Audubon’s Hog Island Camp and bringing back what she learns to her colleagues and students.

My Time at Hog Island Camp

Photo: Atlantic Puffins, Michael Schmitt/Audubon Photography Awards

Deborah Hammer, Autism and Low Incidence Specialist, Arlington County Schools, Winner of NVBA’s 2025 Scholarship

Have you ever felt nostalgic for the fun you had as a child at summer camp and wished to re-experience it -- the arts and crafts, music, hiking, meeting new friends, and the sense of wonder at having new adventures? I have, and thanks to the generosity of NVBA, I got to make that wish come true. I attended Sharing Nature: An Educator’s Week at Hog Island Audubon Camp in Breman, ME. The camp, which is run by the National Audubon Society under the Seabird Institute, has several special sessions open to anyone, including children and families, who are interested in birds and nature. 

The camp experience began when I arrived in Bremen. I joined a group of enthusiastic campers, where we were met by some of our counselors and took a short boat ride to Hog Island. We were assigned our cabins, all of which are well over a century old, and began decorating our name tags. After some icebreaker activities, where I met my fellow campers from across the country, we sat down for the first of our many gourmet, locally sourced meals. While dining, we had a chance to get to know each other better. Although we came from diverse educational backgrounds - public schools, state parks, nature centers, preschool up to university – we all shared a life-long love of learning and playing in nature. 

Morning activities started early, with most campers rising at dawn to birdwatch, meditate, or write in a nature journal, either alone or in groups with counselors. Most of the sessions were designed with an eye on strategies we could bring back to our students. For example, we learned a mindfulness strategy that utilized breathing like different animals and another that utilized different senses. 

After breakfast, we often had a choice of classes we could take, such as cyanotype printing, nature photography, seaweed pressing, or poetry. We also received instruction on becoming better birders, the history and ecology of Hog Island, and tips for translating our instruction into practice. 

A view of intertidal creatures through the microscope. Photo: Deborah Hammer

One of my favorite activities was examining the intertidal zone for the many creatures who hide and thrive there. Some, like sculpins, lobsters, sea squirts, sponges, and crabs, we could examine right on the beach. Others, we took back to the lab to view under a microscope, including fetal horseshoe crabs, tunicates, tardigrades, baby mussels and flatworms. The lab was an adventure in itself. It had a vast book and specimen collection, including a passenger pigeon. 

A highlight for everyone was a visit from Dr. Steve Kress, founder of Project Puffin, who told us about the challenges he faced when bringing Atlantic Puffins back to their ancient home along coastal Maine. He has since replicated his techniques all around the world to help others preserve or reestablish vulnerable species of birds. The following day, we took a boat ride to Easter Egg Rock where we could see puffins, eiders, guillemots, and other birds.

Atlantic Puffin, Kevin VandeVusse/Audubon Photography Awards

Hikes throughout the week helped us learn about other aspects of coastal Maine, including the geology, flora, and mycology. We had a chance to lie on the soft moss and take in the scent of spruce and ocean, while terns, Laughing Gulls, and American Crows called all around us. 

One memorable night involved music from a band comprised of staff members and volunteers who played for us while we learned contra dancing. On the last night, we were treated to a feast with a festive dessert of Cream Puffin, the only type of puffin that humans should eat! Like campers worldwide, we also spent the last night singing, exchanging contact information, and bemoaning that we had to return to the “real” world in the morning. 

I’m looking forward to sharing all that I’ve learned with the educators that I support in Arlington Public Schools and applying new strategies with my students. 

I would highly recommend that my fellow educators apply for the chance to experience Hog Island Audubon Camp next summer. 

Our Hog Island Scholarship Winner

Photo: Hog Island coastline, Kirk Treakle

Bill Burton

NVBA is pleased to announce that Deborah Hammer is the 2025 winner of our scholarship to attend "Sharing Nature: An Educator's Week" at Hog Island Audubon Camp in Maine this coming August. NVBA awards this scholarship, covering tuition, room, board, and transportation, every year to a northern Virginia classroom teacher, specialist, or school administrator. Hog Island has offered environmental education programs for adults, teens, families, and conservation leaders since 1936. The camp takes a multidisciplinary approach to helping instructors develop effective techniques for teaching children and adults about nature. 

Ms. Hammer is an Autism and Low Incidence Specialist with Arlington County Schools and coaches hundreds of teachers, paraprofessionals, and other staff across the district who work with over 1,200 students. She plans to use her experience to find nature-focused strategies that will help the teachers make academic content fun and engaging for their students who struggle to learn. We look forward to hearing about Ms. Hammer's experiences at Hog Island and how she plans to incorporate them into her teaching.

Apply Now for the 2025 Educator Scholarship

Photo: Atlantic Puffins, Walker Golder/Audubon Photography Awards

Bill Burton

Each year NVBA offers a full scholarship and transportation to “Sharing Nature: An Educator’s Week” at National Audubon Society's Hog Island Camp in Maine. Hog Island Audubon Camp has offered environmental education programs for adults, teens, families and conservation leaders since 1936. While there, educators learn interdisciplinary hands-on methods and approaches to environmental education while immersed in the natural world. Of its program, National Audubon writes,

Learn practical approaches and add inspiration to your environmental education curriculum during this action-packed program. Our experienced and enthusiastic instructors share their favorite approaches, methods, and activities for engaging both children and adults with nature.

You can read about the experience of the 2024 recipient here.

The applicant must be a public classroom teacher, specialist or school administrator in the NVBA chapter territory, which encompasses all of Arlington, Fairfax, Prince William and Stafford Counties, and portions of Loudoun, Fauquier, Culpeper, Rappahannock and Spotsylvania Counties. Independent cities in that area include Alexandria, Fairfax, Falls Church, Fredericksburg, Leesburg, Manassas and Manassas Park. The maps on our website provide additional detail.

Educator’s Week in the coming year is August 10-15. To apply, please complete the online application and submit two letters of recommendation no later than February 21, 2025. Please see the application for additional details, including post-camp requirements.

The Report from Hog Island Educator’s Camp 2024

Photo: View of Muscongus Bay, Jeanne Lukas-Ross

Each summer, NVBA offers a full scholarship and transportation to “Sharing Nature: An Educator’s Week” at National Audubon Society’s Hog Island Camp in Maine. While there, educators learn interdisciplinary hands-on methods and approaches to environmental education while immersed in the natural world. This year, NVBA enabled Jeanne Lukas-Ross, Outdoor Learning Resource Teacher at Clearview Elementary in Herndon, to attend. She sent us the following report:

When I think of all the amazing experiences I have had during my life, my week at Audubon’s Hog Island camp is definitely one of the best! The camp was not only at a beautiful location, but the other campers and staff and the activities and learning we did together have added much inspiration to my life.

Campers from all over the US, who held varying roles in their organizations, brought a diversity of knowledge and experiences to share. Together we learned about the island and the plants and wildlife we observed as we hiked, boated, tide pooled and sat quietly. We discussed and collaborated on some larger global issues like climate change and bringing nature to diverse communities. There also was a focus on mindfulness and finding ways to bring peace to problems that seem insurmountable. I have come back with many things to incorporate into my teaching that I could not have obtained without this experience.

Osprey on nest, Jeanne Lukas-Ross

I like to photograph wildlife, though I am just learning, but I got some good practice taking pictures of osprey, ducks, eagles, seals, puffins, and other birds at Eastern Egg Rock. I also took photos of insects and the beautiful rocky geology.

My favorite activities were those led by a knowledgeable, veteran staffer who modeled ways to work with students that made nature accessible so that everyone felt successful and engaged. Though I am a Virginia Master Naturalist, the week at Hog Island made me realize how much more I have to learn and gave me great ideas to share with my students.

I really appreciate the opportunity that the Northern Virginia Bird Alliance made possible, and I will use everything I learned at Hog Island camp going forward. Thank you again for the amazing experience!

Hog Island Scholarship Winner

Photo: Hog Island coastline, Kirk Treakle

ASNV’s Youth Education Committee has selected Jeanne Lukas-Ross of Clearview Elementary School in Herndon as the 2024 recipient of the ASNV scholarship to “Sharing Nature: An Educator’s Week” at National Audubon’s Hog Island nature camp in Maine. While there she will learn methods and activities for engaging children and adults with nature, attend workshops, and go on field trips including a boat excursion around the restored Atlantic Puffin and Tern colony on Eastern Egg Rock. 

Jeanne Lukas-Ross of Clearview Elementary School

Jeanne Lukas-Ross has been sharing nature with children for over 20 years. While her children were in elementary school, she volunteered as a habitat steward and led an after-school gardening program. Following that she spent 13 years as a teacher creating many outdoor learning opportunities for her kindergarten class and led the school green team and Eco Club. This year, Jeanne moved into her dream position as the Outdoor Learning Teacher and Fairfax County Public Schools Get2Green Coordinator for Clearview. She is also a Virginia Master Naturalist.

ASNV looks forward to hearing about Jeanne’s experiences at Hog Island!

2024 Educator Scholarship Application Now Open

Photo: Atlantic Puffins, Walker Golder

Bill Burton

Each year ASNV offers a full scholarship to Sharing Nature: An Educator's Week at Hog Island Audubon Camp in coastal Maine. Hog Island Audubon Camp has offered environmental education programs for adults, teens, families and conservation leaders since 1936. While there, educators learn interdisciplinary hands-on methods and approaches to environmental education while immersed in the natural world--read about the 2022 recipients' experience here.

The applicant must be a public classroom teacher, specialist or school administrator in the ASNV chapter territory, which encompasses all of Arlington, Fairfax, Prince William and Stafford Counties (excluding Dulles Airport in Fairfax County), and portions of Fauquier, Loudoun, Rappahannock and Spotsylvania Counties. Independent cities in that area include Alexandria, Fairfax, Falls Church, Fredericksburg, Leesburg, Manassas and Manassas Park. The maps on our website provide additional detail.

Educator’s Week in the coming year is July 14-19, 2024. To apply, please complete the online application and submit two letters of recommendation no later than February 28, 2024. Please see the application for additional details, including post-camp requirements.

ASNV Awards Hog Island Scholarship

Photo: Hog Island, Kirk Treakle

“Mr. Matt” Davidson

ASNV’s Youth Education Committee has awarded Matthew Davidson of Lynbrook Elementary School in Springfield an all-expense scholarship to “Sharing Nature: An Educator’s Week” at Hog Island Audubon Camp in coastal Maine. ASNV awards this scholarship, covering tuition, room, board, and transportation, every year to a northern Virginia classroom teacher, specialist, or school administrator. Hog Island has offered environmental education programs for adults, teens, families, and conservation leaders since 1936. The camp takes a multidisciplinary approach to helping instructors develop effective techniques for teaching children and adults about nature.

“Mr. Matt,” as he is known to his students, is an Outdoor Education Coordinator who helps them learn about nature and the environment, and is passionate about birds. He is expected to use his Hog Island experience to develop a new conservation-themed educational program or enhance one that he is already using. Mr. Davidson will share his Hog Island experience in the September newsletter and submit a final report to ASNV next year. We look forward to hearing from Mr. Matt!

Applications Are Now Open for a Full Scholarship to Educator’s Week at National Audubon’s Hog Island Camp

Photo: 2022 ASNV Hog Island Scholarship Winners Chrissy Brownson and Candice Centinkaya

Each summer, ASNV offers a full scholarship and transportation to “Sharing Nature: An Educator’s Week” at the National Audubon Society’s Hog Island Audubon Camp in coastal Maine. Hog Island Audubon Camp has offered environmental education programs for adults, teens, families and conservation leaders since 1936.  While there, educators learn interdisciplinary hands-on methods and approaches to environmental education while immersed in the natural world. From the Hog Island Audubon Camp website: “Learn practical approaches and add inspiration to your environmental education curriculum during this action-packed program. Our experienced and enthusiastic instructors share their favorite approaches, methods, and activities for engaging both children and adults with nature.” 

The applicant must be a public classroom teacher, specialist or school administrator in the ASNV chapter territory (Counties: Arlington, Fairfax, Fauquier, Loudoun, Prince William, Rappahannock and Stafford; independent cities: Alexandria, Fairfax, Falls Church, Fredericksburg, Leesburg, Manassas and Manassas Park.)  Dates for the coming year are July 16-21, 2023. To apply, please complete the online application  and submit two letters of recommendation no later than February 28, 2023. One of these must be from your principal. Please see the application for additional details, including post-camp requirements.

2022 Hog Island Scholarship Winners

Would you like to learn more about what a week at the camp is like? You can read the reports of the two scholarship winners to last summer’s camp here. 

Reports from Hog Island Educator’s Week

Photo: Candice Cetinkaya and Chrissy Brownson arriving at Hog Island for Educators’ Week

ASNV issued grants to send two teachers to Educator’s Week at Hog Island, Audubon’s Camp in Bremen, Maine. Here is what they had to say about their visit, the week of July 17.

Candice Cetinkaya and Chrissy Brownson arriving at Hog Island for Educators’ Week

Chrissy Brownson, Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math (STEAM) and Science Resource Teacher, Providence Elementary, Fairfax County Public Schools 

When we learned that some of the paragons of environmental science had spent time researching on Hog Island, it was no surprise that the week was packed with learning. To think that we were walking in the footsteps of Rachel Carson and Roger Tory Peterson enriched our learning and lent to the magic that Hog Island exudes. From examining a preserved passenger pigeon to seeing the thriving renewed puffin colony, the opportunities for learning and wonder were numerous. 

Each day we spent time on the island or in the water deepening our science knowledge and learning how we could bring these lessons back to our schools. Teaching is a craft, and we had the opportunity to learn from several gifted educators and environmental scientists. I have done pond studies before, both as the teacher and as an adult learner, but doing it with the instructors from the Audubon camp was like taking a master class. I found myself jotting take-aways in between identifying macroinvertebrates and planning for how I could bring this same level of enabling discovery back to my students. 

I am so appreciative of this opportunity, both to learn from the amazing team at the camp and to collaborate with passionate educators from across the country. I can’t wait to share this with our school and ignite a passion for the world around them. 

Candice Cetinkaya, Science Resource Teacher for Region 5 Elementary Schools and Three Middle Schools in Alexandria

A big thank you from the bottom of my heart for enabling me to experience the Educator’s Week at Hog Island. The highlights of the week were countless, but some of my favorites included: exploring the tide pools; uncovering the geologic history of the islands while scrambling over granite boulders with basalt intrusions; learning about, and then witnessing, the return of puffins to Easter Egg Island; tramping through shoulder-high ferns, only to emerge into a field of milkweed with swarms of monarch butterflies; watching harbor seals, osprey, and (from the deck of the Queen cabin where I slept each night) the departure of the lobster boats.

Beyond the amazing opportunity to immerse myself in nature was the learning that occurred by connecting with naturalists and educators from across the country and from diverse backgrounds. The experiences, conversations with others, and periods of reflection nourished my mind, body, and soul and prepared me to share my love of nature with students. Again, thank you for providing this enriching, motivational, and soul nourishing experience.  I can’t wait to share it with my students.  

ASNV Awards Two Audubon Hog Island Scholarships

Photo: Hog Island sunrise, Gretchen Linton

Bill Burton, Lisa Mackem

Chrissy Brownson, science resource teacher at Providence Elementary

Every year, ASNV awards a scholarship to “Sharing Nature: An Educator’s Week” at Hog Island Audubon coastal Maine. The scholarship is awarded to a classroom teacher, specialist, or school administrator and covers tuition, room, board, and transportation. Hog Island has offered environmental education programs for adults, teens, families, and conservation leaders since 1936. The camp takes a multidisciplinary approach in helping instructors develop effective techniques for teaching children and adults about nature.  

Candice Centinkaya, Fairfax County Public Schools at-large science resource teacher

This year, ASNV selected two scholarship winners: Chrissy Brownson, science resource teacher at Providence Elementary and Candice Centinkaya, a Fairfax County Public Schools at-large science resource teacher. Each winner is expected to use her Hog Island experience to develop a new conservation-themed educational program or enhance an existing one.  The teachers will share their summer experiences in the September newsletter and submit final reports to ASNV next year. We look forward to hearing from them!

2022 Scholarship Application to Hog Island Educator’s Week Now Open

Photo: Hog Island, Phoebe Riegle

Each year Audubon Society of Northern Virginia offers a full scholarship to Sharing Nature: An Educator’s Week at Hog Island Audubon Camp in coastal Maine. Hog Island Audubon Camp has offered environmental education programs for adults, teens, families, and conservation leaders since 1936. While there, educators learn interdisciplinary hands-on methods and approaches to environmental education while immersed in the natural world.  

Applicants must be public classroom teachers, specialists, or school administrators in the ASNV chapter territory (Counties: Arlington, Fairfax, Fauquier, Loudoun, Prince William, Rappahannock and Stafford. Independent cities: Alexandria, Fairfax, Falls Church, Fredericksburg, Leesburg, Manassas and Manassas Park.) 

Sharing Nature: An Educator’s Week will be held July 17-22, 2022!

To apply, please complete the online application and submit two letters of recommendation no later than February 28, 2022. Please see the application for additional details, including post-camp requirements.

2021 Hog Island Scholarship Recipient

Photo: Hog Island, Gretchen Linton

Gretchen Linton

“It’s no exaggeration to say I think of Hog Island just about every day. It was such an invigorating, restorative, beautiful, and delicious place!”

I was thrilled to be awarded a scholarship for Educator’s Week 2021. I drove up from Alexandria, stopping along the way in Connecticut and the Portland area.

Hog Island sunrise, Gretchen Linton

The sun rose a little earlier than in the Mid-Atlantic region and I was up at about 5 am to make sure I met the ferry at Bremen!

About 30 other teachers, media specialists, and informal educators from all over the East Coast and Central states gathered, looking a bit stressed from various modes of travel during Covid.

We were immediately put at ease under the pines, swapping stories of our past year, and watching the sun set over the harbor, getting to know each other and our leaders who came from Washington State, Georgia, and New England.  

Hog Island mushroom, Gretchen Linton

The accommodations were dorm-like, clean, and cozy. Meals were OUTSTANDING! I don’t think I’ve ever eaten so well in my life. Fresh, local, innovative, scrumptious, and every meal had gluten-free and vegan options. 

We gathered for our daily meals and workshops outdoors and had evening sessions in the Fish House each night.

Highlight sessions included: tidepool exploring, bioluminescence, hikes to the pitcher plants, and the Bingham Cottage, as well as an excursion to Egg Rock, presentations about Project Puffin, JEDI (Justice, Equity, Diversion and Inclusion) as well as time to wander, make art, and share our experiences and hopes for the coming year.

Now that I’m back in the classroom, navigating this Covid world with my 7th graders, my time on Hog Island feels a lot like a beautiful dream but I hope to return as a Friends of Hog Island Volunteer next summer.

My Educator’s Week at Hog Island Audubon Camp

Photo: Phoebe Riegle

Phoebe Riegle
ASNV 2020 Hog Island Scholarship Winner  

My whole life I have been hearing about this camp in Maine where the showers are always cold, the mornings are always early, and the birds are always calling. My mother attended Hog Island’s Educator’s week in the 80’s as a young educator, extremely invested in ways to share the natural world with children from various backgrounds. As her child, I was also one of her students so, I got to experience the incredible camps and lessons that she learned from Hog Island. Little did I know that one day I would get to learn from the same man on the same island that taught her “almost” everything she knows, as well as from a few other incredible educators.

Phoebe Riegle

Phoebe Riegle

The year-postponement due to COVID was unfortunate but I was still thrilled to have the opportunity to attend in 2021. Walking up onto the island I was overwhelmed with excitement and comfort in knowing that the showers were now heated because of new solar panels and, more importantly, I was going to be spending a week with like-minded educators all looking to explore nature like we were kids again.

Adorned with my new “fancy” pair of binoculars, I awoke early the first morning to join the legend himself, Ted Gillman, and fellow bird-nerds for a birding session. I learned the flight pattern and calls for birds like woodpeckers and goldfinches as well as how to “point” out birds. The biggest take-away from each of Ted’s lessons was to find ways to build-in success for every student. Celebrate every observation and inference that students make when exploring nature even if it has nothing to do with your question or lesson. Also, remember that you don’t need fancy equipment to get kids into nature- paper towel rolls can be binoculars, an old white shower curtain can be an observation station under a tree, and old cottage cheese tubs can be miniature ponds.

Throughout the rest of the week, I learned from inspiring naturalists about pollinators, insects, birds, marine ecosystems, and citizen science all with a tone of remembrance for the Native Americans who once inhabited the area. James, Kaylani, Margaret, Ted, Colleen, Khav, and Ms. Evonne taught me more than I could’ve imagined. By the end of the week one fellow camper said it best – the thing that made this camp amazing was the fact that it was a group of nature-loving educators who all bought into the magical energy of the island each and every day. With everything happening in the world, it is easy to get bogged down by negativity. Nature is one thing that has stayed consistently and relatively safe throughout these past few years. Take every opportunity you can to feel like a kid again and explore, ask questions, draw conclusions, and research – because you still can.

Hog Island Scholarship Winners

Photo: Kirk Treakle

Gretchen Linton of Mark Twain Middle School in Alexandria is the 2021 recipient of ASNV’s scholarship to Educator’s Week at Hog Island Audubon Camp in Maine. She joins Phoebe Riegle of William Ramsay Elementary School, the 2020 winner, whose scholarship was deferred a year due to the pandemic. Congratulations Gretchen and Phoebe! 

Apply for a Conservation Grant!

Photo: Maggie Starbard

Audubon Society of Northern Virginia is offering Conservation Grants of up to $4,000. We are primarily interested in habitat improvement projects that combine the following features:

1. Native plants that attract birds and/or pollinators

2. An educational component – aimed at students, adults, or the general public

3. A demonstration project that can be emulated by others

4. A long-term commitment to maintain the project for multiple years

5. In northern Virginia

Special consideration will be given to projects near the Potomac River or its tributaries and projects on public lands or with high public access.

Email Greg Butcher if you have questions about putting together a project. Successful applicants will be asked to sign a contract agreeing to specific obligations.

Deadline is April 30, 2021 but feel free to start now! Use our online form to apply.

Calling All Educators! 2021 Educator Scholarship Application Now Open

Photo: Atlantic Puffins, Walker Golder

Looking for new ways to inspire your students to engage with nature? The Audubon Society of Northern Virginia offers a full scholarship and transportation to “Sharing Nature: An Educator’s Week” at National Audubon Society’s Hog Island Camp in Maine.  While there, you will learn interdisciplinary hands-on methods and approaches to environmental education while immersed in the natural world. This year’s session is currently scheduled for July 11-16, 2021. Hog Island will be instituting safety-related procedural changes in response to the coronavirus pandemic, including all-outdoor activities and single-occupancy sleeping arrangements. 

Applicants must be classroom teachers, specialists, or school administrators working in one of the following counties: Arlington, Fairfax, Fauquier, Loudoun, Prince William, Rappahannock and Stafford. Applicants from Alexandria, Falls Church, Fredericksburg, Manassas, and Manassas Park cities are also eligible.

To apply, please complete the online application and submit two letters of recommendation no later than April 2, 2021. Please see the application for additional details, including post-camp requirements.

If you have questions, please contact youtheducation@audubonva.org. 

Hog Island Audubon Camp News

Photo: Puffin desserts at Hog Island, Kirk Treakle

Last month we announced the winner of our Hog Island Scholarship for teachers, Phoebe Riegle, a fifth-grade teacher at William Ramsey Elementary School in Alexandria, VA. Unfortunately, she will not have the opportunity to attend “Sharing Nature: An Educator’s Week” this year. Hog Island Audubon Camp cancelled their summer programs out of concern for the health and safety of campers, volunteers and staff during the Covid-19 pandemic. ASNV is postponing Phoebe’s scholarship until the summer of 2021 when we hope she’ll have an opportunity to visit this unique island. 

Even though camp is closed, the popular Hog Island wildlife cams are still operating. While you are watching the Ospreys, Atlantic Puffins and Black Guillemots you might want to try making the Hog Island kitchen’s famous Cream Puffin Pastries, traditionally served on the last night of each camp session. 

2020 Hog Island Scholarship Winner – Phoebe Riegle

Photo: Examining tide pool organisms, Kirk Treakle

ASNV’s  Youth Education Committee is thrilled to announce Phoebe Riegle as the 2020 recipient of our Hog Island Scholarship.  Each summer, ASNV offers a full scholarship and transportation to “Sharing Nature: An Educator’s Week” at National Audubon Society’s Hog Island Camp in Maine.  While there, educators learn interdisciplinary hands-on methods and approaches to environmental education while immersed in the natural world.  

Ms. Riegle is a fifth-grade teacher at William Ramsay Elementary School in Alexandria, VA.  She hopes to use the lessons learned at Hog Island to better integrate conservation and habitat content with English Language Learning (ELL) strategies across grade levels and subjects.  Ms. Riegle will attend the program in July 2020 before returning to her classroom in the fall.    

Hog Island Scholarship Application Deadline Extended!

Photo: Atlantic Puffins, Kevin VandeVusse/Audubon Photography Awards

Each summer Audubon Society of Northern Virginia offers a full scholarship and transportation to “Sharing Nature: An Educator’s Week” at National Audubon Society’s Hog Island Camp in Maine. This year’s session is July 12-17, 2020, and will feature workshops on educational techniques, a boat trip to the restored Atlantic Puffin and Tern colony on Eastern Egg Rock, intertidal explorations, and hiking through Hog Island's unspoiled spruce-fir forest. 

Applicants must be a public classroom teacher, specialist or school administrator in the ASNV chapter territory. Counties: Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun, Prince William, and Stafford.  Independent cities: Alexandria, Falls Church, Fredericksburg, Manassas, and Manassas Park.  

We have extended the application deadline to March 1, 2020.   

A link to the scholarship application can be found here. 

If you have any questions please email: youtheducation@audubonva.org

For further information about this session at Hog Island, please visit their website by clicking here or watch this great video.

The scholarship announcement will be on March 16, 2020.  Thanks for spreading the word in your school district, and we look forward to receiving applications from your schools!