Weminuche Audubon Society Announces the

Michael P. Ward Memorial Scholarship

Thanks to the generosity of Joan Ward, in memory of her husband Michael Ward, Weminuche Audubon Society is again offering a scholarship to the American Birding Association’s Camp Colorado in Estes Park, for a student age 13-17, who resides within southwest Colorado. This week-long science camp offers students an opportunity to meet other young people with similar interests, explore careers in birding and ornithology, and learn about the bird life and natural history of northern Colorado. Expert staff from the ABA and skilled guest instructors will lead field trips in search of species such as White-tailed Ptarmigan, Clark’s Nutcracker, MacGillivray’s Warbler, Brown-capped Rosy Finch, Williamson’s Sapsucker, Burrowing Owl, McCown’s Longspur, and Cassin’s Sparrow, to name just a few.  Afternoons and evenings are spent in hands-on workshops to learn about sketching and painting, field journaling, photography, careers in bird conservation, and much more. Information on the camp may be found on their website, https://www.aba.org/camp-colorado-june-23-30-2024/ The 2024 camp will be held from June 23-30.

Weminuche Audubon Society can also help with travel expenses to Denver, if required. The American Birding Association provides roundtrip shuttle service between DIA and Estes Park.

Past recipients have been Martin Cuntz from Escalante Middle School (2015), Jack Maher from Escalante Middle School (2016), Olivia Gilbert from Pagosa Springs Middle School (2017) , Anneka Slead from Pagosa Springs Middle School(2018), Marie Smith from Pagosa Springs Middle School(2019), Lucas Huddleston from Pagosa Springs High School (2019) and Evan Tweedie from Durango Miller Middle School(2019) and Peyton Jackson from Pagosa Springs High School(2023).

Two items are required from applicants.  Students who are interested in applying are asked to submit a letter of recommendation from an adult who is not a relative.  Students will also submit a 400-600 word essay describing his or her experiences in the outdoors and reasons for wishing to attend the camp. For the safety of campers and staff, Covid vaccination is strongly encouraged, but not required.  A negative test for Covid must be completed and verified within the 72 hours prior to arrival.

The deadline for scholarship applications in 2024 is March 1.  Submissions may be sent by email to weminuche.audubon@gmail.com or by mail to Weminuche Audubon Society, P.O. Box 1087, Pagosa Springs, CO  81147. After attending camp, the student selected by the Weminuche Audubon Society Scholarship Committee is expected to meet with Weminuche Audubon representatives to share highlights of the camp experience.

Don’t miss out on this great opportunity and fun experience.