looking for a few mother hen (or rooster) birdwatchers to help Boy Scouts

[Linda Andes-Georges]

Hello, folks--

Thanks to all the CFO "staff" for their hard work in preparing this lovely (though moist) convention weekend. We two will figure out a way to return our CFO badges before long. Hope you all had a birdy final day, peering at peewees & vireos through the mists.

Today I have a special request to send out. I am trying to find one person (or a few) who know something about birds and birdwatching to help boy scouts who intend to begin work on their Birdwatching Merit Badge. 

The summer camp is at Tahosa, about 12 miles north of Nederland (or 3 miles? past the Brainard Rd). The need is for someone to give an evening class (max. 1 hr) on how to get started and how to use binoculars, followed by an early morning hike with the small group, again of no more than an hour, on the campgrounds. Someone in Ned would be ideal, of course!

I did this last year and loved it, but driving up from the plains every week, giving my spiel, then either driving back down and returning for 6 a.m. field trip the next day, OR sleeping over at a friend's house in Ned, were more of a time-taker than I can afford. I was hoping to find someone in Nederland but so far my efforts have been fruitless.

I have a curriculum; photos; birdcall recordings; lender field guides, and the camp has lender binoculars. They would love to keep this going, and so would I. I could even train a few people-- the more we have, the less burdensome it would be for individuals. There are about 6 summer sessions, one a week (I chose Mondays, in collaboration with the staff up there).

The kids (ages span 11 to 14) are polite and friendly, and there is always at least one or two who are really motivated and curious. They are worth some time.

Keep an eye out for volunteers for us; I promised camp directors  Mark & Toni I'd look hard.Thanks-

Linda-

PS the campgrounds are a very birdy spot in the summer. All the usual resident birds plus often a couple of high altitude surprises. But the boys are happy to see nuthatches, bluebirds, house wrens, swallows & any waterfowl that are present.

Linda Andes-Georges
Boulder County (W of Lagerman, N of Haystack, E of Table Mtn)
[Jean-Pierre says: W of Paris, S of Quebec, E of Tahiti]
8417 Stirrup Ln

Longmont CO 80503

Tel. 720 668 5214

[Dave Cameron]

I'm kind of interested in this, though my logistical issues would be similar to your own.  I live in SW Denver, and typically work 8-4:30 with occasional varied days off.

Is there any possibility of overnight accommodations at the camp, including camping out myself on the grounds?  Are the 6 sessions the same thing with 6 different groups, or a progression with the same group?  Can this be done on weekends, or weekdays only...?

You can email me offline if you like-- davednvr7 at msn dot com.

Dave Cameron

Denver