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Friends of the Verde River is excited to announce the 2025 Young Birders Camp Scholarship competition! If you love birds, nature, and the great outdoors, this is a fantastic opportunity to immerse yourself in an unforgettable learning experience.
What is the Young Birders Camp?
The Young Birders Camp is a special program designed for kids and teens who have a passion for birds, ecology, and conservation. During the camp, participants will enjoy field trips to observe birds and wildlife, attend expert-led presentations, and have plenty of fun in the beautiful outdoors.
Scholarship Opportunity
Friends of the Verde River will award one scholarship to a young person and their adult sponsor (a parent or guardian) to attend the 2025 Young Birders Camp, which will take place from June 5 – 8, 2025, in the breathtaking Cave Creek Canyon of the Chiricahua Mountains.
Scholarship Details
- Covers full cost of the camp, including meals and lodging for the youth and their adult sponsor.
- Includes a $100 travel allowance to help with transportation costs.
- The scholarship recipient will be invited to attend the Keynote Dinner on April 25, 2025, where they will be introduced as the winner (attendance is free!).
Who Can Apply?
Arizona youths between the ages of 8 – 18 (as of June 1, 2025).
How to Apply
- Download and complete the application form, found here.
- Answer the application question: Think of one bird—maybe it’s your favorite bird. What do you know about this bird, and what makes it special to you? (No more than 300 words).
- Include a letter of support and permission from a parent or guardian, describing your interest in birds and nature.
- Submit your application via email to VVBNF@VerdeRiver.org by Friday, March 21, 2025.
- The scholarship winner will be notified by Friday, April 18, 2025.
What If I Don’t Win?
You can still attend camp! Registration opens March 1, 2025. While the official camp website is not yet live, you can view last year’s camp details in this PDF to get an idea of what to expect.
The Arizona Young Birders Camp is sponsored by the Sulphur Springs Valley Young Birders Club and organized by Homer Hansen. More details about the camp will be available soon.
Don’t miss out on this amazing opportunity to explore nature, learn about birds, and connect with fellow young birders. Apply today and take flight on your next great adventure!
