Camp Surfbird is a new, unique overnight camp experience specifically for youths ages 13-17 to enjoy the San Diego Bird Festival to the fullest. The 2024 San Diego Bird Festival will take place February 21-25. Working together, the San Diego Audubon Society and the American Birding Association(ABA) planned an unforgettable weekend for young birders to gather and explore the region with like-minded peers. Campers will be participating in chaperoned festival activities and experiences just for them. Base camp is located at the YMCA Camp Surf in Imperial Beach CA.

Palomar Audubon Society made available two Scholarships to attend Camp Surfbird. PAS advertised the scholarship offers on the San Diego Bird Festival website as well as our own PAS website. We received applications from five teenagers. The PAS Board members then selected two young birders who reside in Vista, CA. They are twins Juliet Cruz Pierce and Charlotte Cruz Pierce, age 13. Juliet enjoys being in nature, including birding, and learning about conservation. Charlotte has become an avid birder since the pandemic times, with backyard birding. The girls both say that this camp experience will sharpen and expand their birding skills and knowledge, while meeting other kids in their age group with similar interests.

Congratulations, Juliet and Charlotte!