After a two year hiatus due to Covid, the Audubon Summer Camps will return this season.

“It is a youth program that focuses on nature studies,” Publicity Chairperson Susan O’Handley said in a CNY News interview. “It’s fun activities, all outdoors at the Audubon Society’s Franklin Mountain Sanctuary.”

There will be two sessions. The July 25-28 session is for children entering grades 3 and 4.  And the August 15-18 session is for youngsters entering grades 5 and 6.

“Each day might have a different theme,” O’Handley said. “They might do invertebrate studies and pond work, on another day they may do insect identification and collection, and there is always a huge number of garter snakes that live around the barn that are a big hit with students.”

The children catch snakes, put them in a glass tank, observe their behavior during the session, and then release the snakes at the end of the day.

Liz Brown and Christina DeCesare are the camp’s co-directors.  “Chris and Liz are both professional environmental educators,” O’Handley said. “They have a huge enthusiasm for the environment, outdoors conservation, and education.”

Space is limited in each session. Spots are filled in the order of registration.  The Delaware-Otsego Audubon Society offers programs open to the public, bird-watching field trips, and operates the Franklin Mountain Hawkwatch.

Parents can learn more about the program and register their children at: https://doas.us./2022-camp-registration/

Nature Is Calling! And You Can Answer at Any of These 10 Great New York Parks

Now that warmer weather is here, we encourage you to start thinking about visiting some of New York's great parks. Here are ten parks, some are smaller and a bit off the grid, that we think you should consider for a summer of 2022 visit!

Did You Know?? 16 Little Known Museums in Upstate New York You Must See!

Is there a museum to almost everything in Upstate New York? Yes, we think so. Check out this incredible list!

Take a Walk Along These Charming Upstate New York 'Main Streets'

Typically the heart of any community is its Main Street. Upstate New York is no different. While big box stores, strip malls, and franchise restaurants can now be found at the outskirts of most towns, here are a dozen really nice small town Main Streets that would make for a perfect afternoon stroll. Check them out!

It's Spring! Grab a Cone at Any of These 21 Classic New York Ice Cream Stands!

A rite of passage from winter to spring in Upstate New York is the opening of the 100 roadside ice cream stands in the region. Here are 21 of the best.

Read On! 35 Reasons Why Everybody Loves the Finger Lakes

There are several great "destination pockets" in the area we call Upstate New York. Whether it be the historic mansions along the Hudson Valley, the small ski towns of the Catskills, the majesty of the Adirondacks, the diverse history of Central New York, or the beautiful region shrouded in Niagara's mist out west. And then there is the Finger Lakes! These 11 "finger like" lakes, spread out from (roughly) just west of Interstate 81 out through the Genesee Valley in Western New York This area is one of the state's great playgrounds.

More From WZOZ