What's the best work you've ever done? What gave you the greatest sense of accomplishment, of having a larger purpose, of really throwing yourself into something, yet coming away feeling renewed and energized? Work that kicked your butt yet at the same time felt like play?
Everyone I know that works with young birders puts that work at the top of their list of things they've done that are truly worth the effort. They know how great the care and attention required can be and they also know how vast the rewards are. It's a wonderful thing to feel that you're present at times and places where lives are being changed for the better and that you're having a hand in fostering it all.
This year's ABA Camp Colorado, which ran from July 8 - 13, was a truly great piece of work. I can't say enough to adequately convey the fine job done by leaders Bill Stewart, Jennie Duberstein, and Bill Schmoker, who brought an endlessly impressive array of skills and talents to bear.
And this year, they were joined by Jeff Bouton and Cameron Cox of Leica Sports Optics, both incredibly competent and passionate birders, naturalists, and guides. These five were simply inspiring to watch in the field, especially when you know the weeks and months of planning and decades of experience that undergirded the whole enterprise.
The only thing more impressive than this corp of leaders was the kids themselves. Eighteen young men and women so smart, funny, knowledgeable, energetic, and enthusiastic that you just had to shake your head in awe and admiration. It felt like the positive energy flowing around that group of campers and leaders could move mountains and I think it’s just possible that it did. I wish you all could have been there to experience it first hand.
Liz and I were lucky to accompany the group for 2 days, joining a cast of guest leaders that included Birding editor Ted Floyd and ABA board member Chuck Bell. It was wonderful to be along for the ride!
I hope the photos here can give you a little taste of that energy that poured forth from all these people and that you’ll feel a measure of the pride and gratitude that I did, to have played a part in something truly great. That’s appropriate, as all of you who support the ABA through your membership and donations support this work. To all of you, and especially to the leaders and the kids, I give my thanks. Strong work, everyone!
A couple more cool things:
This post has mostly people photos, but it's easy to see some of the amazing birds and animals and experiences we all shared.
There's a great post on the ABA Young Birder Blog with photos from campers.
Bill Schmoker has an awesome Flickr set of photos from camp.
Jeff Bouton did a great guest post here recently on his experience at Camp.
Cameron Cox did a cool post on Leica Birding's Facebook page about how the kids were great all-around naturalists.
Leica Sport Optics, Legacy Sponsor of ABA's Young Birder programs, provided us Jeff and Cam's leadership as well as money for scholarships. We are very grateful for their support.
Scholarship funding also came from duPont's Clear Into the Future initiative. We want to thank them as well.
The ABA's 2012 Young Birder Appeal is still in full swing. Check it out and please give what you are able to. Let's keep it going!
My grandson Scooter Finney who was living with me in Atlanta, Ga. received a scholarship to the Colorado Birding Camp last year in 2011. I want you all to know Scooter has just completed his first month as one of only 248 new Swab appointees at the U S Coast Guard Academy in New London, Connecticut. He is representative of the young people who attend your birding event. And thank you for allowing him to attend last summer as he loved and benefited from the adventure.
Posted by: Sandra Finney | 07/24/2012 at 04:17 PM
Hi Sandra,
I didn't see your comment to this post until just now, but wanted to quickly write and say thank you for the update about Scooter. We loved having him as a part of camp last year. Please let him know that Bill Schmoker and I say hello and wish him the very best in all that he does.
Jennie Duberstein
Posted by: Jennie Duberstein | 08/13/2012 at 06:23 PM