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One thing we’ve learned from our 50-year history as a premier, nature-oriented provider of children’s camps is that kids don’t want an “educational” summer. They want to climb and play and get grubby and hear stories and learn about animals. At our Drumlin Farm the sanctuary fills with the joyous shouts and songs of children, all exploring the diverse habitats that we have to offer. They will do chores on the farm, mucking stalls, weeding, feeding animals, and even milking a cow. They will also adventure into nature, exploring the forest, ponds, and fields looking to discover life. Other programs are designed to enhance understanding of natural sciences, as well as teach a good foundation for scientific exploration. We aim to teach campers about the connectedness of the natural world, and emphasize our place within it as respectful citizens and stewards of the planet. Like any other summer camp, though, the days are also filled with songs, stories, games, cooking, campfires, and most of all, fun. 

Older campers will expand their knowledge through programs that focus on specialized knowledge in areas such as conservation, sustainable agriculture, local cultural history, and the habitats of Massachusetts. For example, Animal Apprentices is designed for teens who wish to learn more about animals (wild and domestic) and gain experience in their direct care from animal care professionals and naturalists. Working with our farmer and wildlife care staff, participants will learn animal science, assist with animal chores, receive training for working with animals, and complete an animal-related stewardship project on the sanctuary. Or y oung biologists can come be a scientist at Drumlin farm! From ponding and bug catching to weather experiments and geology, they will explore the natural history, wildlife, and ecosystems of the Sanctuary. This program is designed to enhance understanding of natural sciences, as well as teach a good foundation for scientific exploration! Whether it is catching frogs, learning about climate change through CO2 experiments, or even eating ice cream glaciers, this program is all about hands on learning.

For more than 110 years, we have been a leader in biological conservation—through the preservation of critical habitats that are essential to the well being of plants, wildlife, and people. We help protect 154 of Massachusetts’ 430 endangered species, and 20 of the approximately 30 endangered or threatened habitats. We also involve interested citizens in our biological conservation initiatives, training volunteers to help us monitor bird habitats and restored salt marshes, conduct dragonfly inventories, monitor nesting endangered coastal birds, assist with bird banding, perform water quality analysis and many other activities.  

As a leader in environmental advocacy, we work with local citizens, municipal officials, corporate leaders, state legislators, and civic groups to protect some of the Commonwealth’s most precious natural resources. We have helped pass some of the strongest environmental laws in the country - including the Endangered Species Act of 1990. More recent accomplishments include successful passage of the Community Preservation Act, and the recently enacted, first in the county, Ocean Management Bill.

Our mission is “to capture the attention of the inquisitive mind, instill an affection for all life, and foster an intelligent understanding of our role in the natural world.”

Our Strategic Plan 2015 focuses our efforts on responding to the major threats to the nature of Massachusetts in three areas: Connecting People and Nature, Protecting and Stewarding Massachusetts’ Habitats, and Responding to Climate Change. The goal of our children’s camps is to truly connect with children—recognizing that they are tomorrow’s stewards of our environment—and to help them learn about and explore nature.

In many cases our camps provide children with their first outdoor adventure experiences and we hear time and time again from older youth and adults that these experiences with Mass Audubon have made a significant impact on their lives.  Objectives for our Day Camps include: provide a safe environment where children can learn firsthand about the natural world, meet new friends and have fun; have trained, qualified staff that provide children with an enjoyable, educational, and noncompetitive camp experience; offer small group nature study, environmental crafts, and cooperative games; and provide an experience that will last a lifetime.

While we make every effort to keep camp costs affordable, every year we received numerous requests from families who need help. Often children from these families have experienced our school programs so parents recognize the quality of our services—they are anxious for their children to continue to remain connected with us over the summer knowing they will be learning while having fun in a safe environment. It is critical that we continue to raise funds to support camp scholarships so that we need not turn any child away because of lack of funds.

Mass Audubon is the largest conservation organization in New England, caring for over 34,000 acres of critical habitat. We are also the largest environmental education provider in the state. We follow three guiding strategies: conservation, education and advocacy to meet our conservation goals. For over a century, we have consistently employed these strategies as catalysts to reserve the wildland and wildlife of Massachusetts. This broad-based approached distinguishes Mass Audubon from other organizations and is integral to our success. It has made us a national-indeed international-model for stimulating and engaging individual and institutional environmental awareness, concern, and action.

In a time when so many children’s only play activity involves computers and televisions we were thrilled to learn this story of one young man who learned that being outside and learning about nature was more fun: Joshua was a five year old camper at our Boston Nature Center – this was his very first time at a camp!  Joshua was being picked up by his father and exclaimed:  “I don’t want to go home.”  To which his father replied:  “We have games to play at home – your Game Boy.”  Joshua said:  “I don’t want to play those games, it’s better here!”

A lot of city children don't get to explore nature and our goal is to teach them that they can literally just go outside to see and enjoy flowers, trees, birds and all types of animals. Leah is one of several children ages 7 to 12 participating in our Urban Adventures summer camp in Lawrence. When Leah recently spotted an ant crawling on the pavement, she screamed. But it wasn't out of fear. "I felt so proud because it was my first time catching one and learning about nature," Leah said.

Participate in our Statewide Work for Wildlife Volunteer Day (April)

Become a Leader in Training at our summer Nature Camps (School summer vacation))

Become a Volunteer Counselor at our summer Nature Camps (School summer vacation)

Participate in our annual Bird-A-Thon (May)

Volunteer at selected sanctuaries (year round)

Join our Young Birders Club (year round)

Participate in our Photo Contest