Camp TALON (Teen Adventures Learning Ornithology & Nature)

IntroductionCardinal on tree branch

TALON is a one-of-a kind camp for teens with a strong interest in the outdoors, birding and ecology. Each day the adventure begins as we travel by charter bus to barrier islands, state parks, wildlife management areas and refuges along Georgia’s coast. Evening classes challenge our campers with presentations and quizzes about bird identification, songs, behavior, flight, migration and other “birdy” topics. At camp’s end we come home with new and improved birding skills, a better understanding of coastal ecology, and great memories!

  • Length of each camp: 6 days, 5 nights.
  • Availability: Space for 18 campers at each session.
  • Serious students: For beginning to experienced birders who don’t mind long, hot, sometimes “buggy” days on beaches and marshes.
  • Ages: Boys and girls ages 14–19. Older birders who have attended before may be eligible for internships.
  • 3:1 student/teacher ratio. Trips, classes led by biologists, ornithologists and environmental educators, each with 20+ years of experience.
  • Sponsors: Georgia Department of Natural Resources, TERN, Georgia Ornithological Society and Birds Georgia Society.

Camps

Next year’s camp is scheduled for June 1-6. Interested campers should fill out the preregistration application.

Please note that, as of January 25, 2024, 19 teens have applied for the camp, which is one more than the maximum we can register. We have started to build a waiting list if you would still like to have your birding teenager pre-apply. Sometimes we have cancellations and new slots become available.

Deadlines and fees:
Until April 12: $400 (paid in full).
April 13-May 1: $450 (paid in full).
Cancellations after May 1, 2024, will not receive $100 of the paid registration fee.


Scholarship

A limited number of partial ($200) or full ($400) scholarships may be available for teens of families with financial need. If you would like to apply, please fill out the scholarship application online.


Contacts

For more information on Camp TALON, contact:

Group standing on boardwalk Group on Sapelo Island beach Group on a boat