What Family and Youth Education Programs Does Stanton Bird Club Offer?

Stanton Bird Club runs nature-inspired education for the general public, with a dedicated family track. The clearest youth offering named on its site is Thorncrag Nature Week, a July 20–24 program for 6–12 year olds that requires registration. Beyond that, the club describes education as spanning lectures and hands-on activities, so families can expect a mix of indoor talks and outdoor, activity-based sessions rather than a single fixed curriculum.

Thorncrag Nature Week: the youth program to know

This is the one program with enough detail to plan around:

• Who it's for: children ages 6–12
• When: July 20–24
• What to do: register in advance — the site's call to action is "Register Today"

Because the club frames its education work as "from lectures to hands-on activities," Nature Week is best understood as the summer, kid-focused end of a broader slate that also includes public events. If you have a child in that age band, this is the program to check first.

What "education" covers for families

The club describes its education mission in two ways on the same page: nature-inspired events for the general public, and a separate "more for families" entry point. That split matters when you're deciding what to attend:

The stated purpose behind all of it is to protect birds and other wildlife and to "foster an appreciation and respect for the natural world" — so expect programming that leans toward observation and outdoor experience rather than classroom-style instruction.

How to actually sign up

1. Go to the club's site and look for the education section, which lists both public and family programming.
2. Find Thorncrag Nature Week and use its registration prompt ("Register Today") to enroll a child aged 6–12.
3. For other family events, check the Upcoming Events list, which is where dated activities appear.

The events list is worth watching even if you're mainly after youth programming, because it shows how the club schedules things — recent entries include walks at Lake Auburn, Sabattus Pond, and Lisbon-area locations, plus an annual meeting. Those are typically adult-oriented walks, but they tell you the club runs a steady calendar rather than one-off events.

Common snags

• Registration is required for Nature Week. The site says to register; it doesn't say drop-ins are welcome, so don't assume you can show up on July 20 without signing up.
• Age range is specific. 6–12 is the stated band for Nature Week. If your child falls outside it, look at the general public and family events instead.
• Dates are fixed. July 20–24 is a single window, so plan around it rather than expecting repeated sessions.
• The site doesn't list fees or capacity here. Nothing in the available material states cost or enrollment limits, so confirm those when you register rather than assuming either way.

Where this fits in the club's wider work

Education sits alongside two other pillars the club names: stewardship — it owns and protects over 850 acres in Androscoggin and Kennebec County — and natural science research. That context is useful for choosing: a family looking for a week-long summer experience should start with Thorncrag Nature Week, while a family wanting occasional outings should track the events calendar, which draws on the same trails and preserves the club manages.