Birdathon Reports 2024: Camp Utopia
By Camilla Gehring
Board Member and Volunteer at Utopia Wildlife Rehablitators
Dear Ms. McCarty,
Attached [is] the final report for the $2,000 grant awarded to Utopia Wildlife Rehabilitators, Inc. for our 2024 “Wonders of Wildlife: Camp Utopia”. We had 24 participants ages 8-13 attend our camp this year. It was a wonderful week of great experiences for both campers and staff with many fun activities and opportunities to interact with native birds and wildlife. Our campers left camp ready to spread the knowledge they had gained to friends, family, and classmates at school…We couldn’t have Camp Utopia without the support of ABAS grant money. We so appreciate the ongoing support that Birdathon grant money provides us.
Yours truly,
Camilla Gehring, Board Member and Volunteer
Utopia Wildlife Rehabilitators 2024 Birdathon Grant Report
Title, Goals and Objectives of Project: Wonders of Wildlife: Camp Utopia.
Goals of this year’s camp were to educate young people about native birds, animals, and habitats of each, as well as the negative impact people have on them. Activities and hands-on learning in addition to appropriate craft activities gave campers information they can share with others to reduce the negative impact of humans and how to interact safely with injured and non-injured birds and wildlife they might encounter.
Project Completion: Camp Utopia took place from June 17-21, 2024 at Utopia Wildlife Rehabilitators, Inc.
Measuring Effectiveness: There were 24 campers. 20 were in the 8-10 age bracket and four were in the 10-13 age category. We had six repeat campers from 2023 present again this year. We did not have any Junior Staff members (returning campers who have aged out of the program) come help us this year. Each camper was involved in developing a presentation to give at the end camp about an animal or bird of their choice they learned about during the week. Campers spent the week gathering facts, observing wildlife, and listening to presentations by staff and visiting presenters in order to prepare thesis presentations. Presentations were given to family, caregivers, friends, staff and other campers on the final day of camp. Visitors were highly impressed with the knowledge and passion of these young campers. Camp participants were also able to help release three fully rehabilitated animals during the week.
Degree Attained Goals: All planned activities and curriculum areas for camp were completed successfully. Campers’ awareness of their impact on the environment and animals living around them was highly increased during the week. They also observed and learned about the kinds of injuries that Utopia’s permanent residents have incurred that prevent them from being returned to the wild. Most injuries were caused primarily by negative human interactions.
Problems Encountered: The bus was late the first day due to a miscommunication of BCSC’s transportation coordinator to the bus driver despite correct information having been provided. Due to the excessive heat, several activities had to be moved indoors in order to give campers a break from the heat.
Opportunities for Enhancement: The after-camp review meeting of staff did not have any suggestions for improvement this year. We were pleased to have six adult volunteers in addition to the two high school camp counselors.
Additional Funding/Partnership Since Initiation of Project: There were no additional funds obtained from other foundations or groups to support “Wonders of Wildlife: Camp Utopia” in 2024. The Parks and Recreation Dept of Columbus has partnered with us since Camp Utopia’s inception to provide bus transportation to and from camp, and has a staff member present each day to ride on the bus and help at camp.
