Family/Youth Activites
All Youth Events are free, though the field trips do require registration.
Register for youth field trips by contacting Tim Keyes (tim_keyes@dnr.state.ga.us).
Other youth events are free and require no registration. All minors must be accompanied by an adult – the Festival will not assume responsibility for supervising unaccompanied minors.
Saturday
7-12 AM - Advanced Youth Birding Field Trip: For kids who have some previous experience birding.
Age and number: 3rd grade and up. 15 students and accompanying parent(s). A wait list will be established if there is additional interest.
Teacher: Tim Keyes
Bring hats, sunscreen, water bottles and insect repellent!
Start 7AM: Meet at Jekyll Island Convention Center and carpool to Harris Neck NWR. Harris Neck is one of the best all around birding sites on the coast, due to its diversity of habitats and Woody Pond, where most species of herons can be observed at close range. We also have a good chance at Painted Bunting, and many forest, grassland, and marsh birds. |
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9-12 AM - Beginning Youth Birding Field Trip: For students who are just beginning to get interested in birds.
Age and number: 3rd graders and up. 10 students and accompanying parent(s). A wait list will be established if there is additional interest.
Teacher: Georgann Schmalz
Bring hats, sunscreen, water bottles and insect repellent!
Start 9AM: Slide program on the basics of bird identification at Jekyll Island Convention Center. Slide program will be followed with a 10 AM to Noon field trip to Harris Neck NWR: - carpool from the convention center. |
10-Noon & 1-5PM - FlyingWild Bird Activities:
Age: all ages
Teachers: Walter Lane, Linda May, and others
Compare your wingspan with an Eagle’s or a Condor’s. Experience what it’s like to pick up food with a beak. Compete with a hummingbird for number of times you can flap your “wings”. There will be a number of hands-on activities for kids and families set up in the Rookery area. Students can acquire ideas to bring back to their schools. No appointment necessary – just stop by! |
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Noon – Live Raptor Show in The Rookery.
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1-2:30 PM - “March of the Penguins” Movie (G) and popcorn
Join us for National Geographic’s smash hit about Emperor Penguins, one of the world’s most remarkable birds, surviving in the world’s harshest environment. Penguin activities will be included. |
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2-3PM - Youth Birding Competition Seminar
Age: 3rd-12th grade
Teacher: Tim Keyes & 2005 YBC participants!
Topics: What is the annual Youth Birding Competition all about? How can we get a team together and prepare for next year’s event? What are good strategies to find the most birds in one day? Come and find out. Participants from 2005 will share their stories and adventures and pictures.
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3-4:30 PM - “Hoot” Movie (PG – for mild bullying) and popcorn.
Join us for an adventure story of kids fighting to protect Burrowing Owls from threats to their habitat. |
| 5PM - Live Raptor Show in The Rookery. |
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Sunday Morning
7-12 AM - Youth Birding Trip to the Altamaha Wildlife Management Area (15 kids then keep list)
Age and number: 3rd grade and up. 15 students and accompanying parent(s). A wait list will be established if there is additional interest.
Teacher: Tim Keyes
Bring hats, sunscreen, water bottles and insect repellent!
Start 7AM: Meet at Jekyll Island Convention Center and carpool to the Altamaha WMA…another gem of a birding spot, with a series of impoundments to allow for easy walking and bird observation.
