Eastern Long Island Audubon Society is offering four scholarships opportunities to students who live on the East End of Long Island. The competition is open to applicants in grades 7 through 12, and the recipients will get to attend New York State Department of Conservation camps for one week. If picked, campers will choose between two locations in the Adirondacks, one in the Catskills, or one in western New York State.
Candidates should be interested in the environment, and curious to learn more about the outdoors. During the week, attendees will enjoy a variety of activities including fishing, hiking, canoeing, volleyball, and hunter safety training. They will also take part in sampling streams for aquatic life and hiking in the dark to take note of sounds in the woods that are designed to bring conservation concepts to life. Previous scholarship winners are eligible to reapply and it is not necessary for parents to be Audubon members.
To apply, students must submit a one-page essay expressing why they are worthy of the scholarship by Friday, January 31. It should include environmental experiences and interests, as well as describe potential benefits from the experience. At the bottom of the essay, candidates should include their name, address, city, state, zip, phone, date of birth, name of school and grade. They must also note if and when they have previously attended an outdoor education/ecology camp. Parents should attach a letter stating that they acknowledge the transportation stipulation.
Accepted candidates are responsible for their own transportation to and from the camp and campers are responsible for their own physical examination, if the camp requires it.
For more information, or to apply visit www.easternlongislandaudubonsociety.org.