The first BRC bird camp: a camp ends, a bird club begins

The education path continues in Batumi! This year, we launched our first BRC bird camp with two groups of 13 and 12 students. The camps build on our education work with local schools, connecting young people and teachers with birds and conservation in the region. Chosen from schools in the Adjara region, the teenage students got the chance to connect with nature through environmental education, hands-on learning, and ongoing conservation work.

The three-day camp for each group consisted of different activities, including presentations about birds by experts, watching documentaries about conservation work in other parts of the world and the poaching threats in the region, and playing interactive games to foster teamwork, critical thinking, and a lasting sense of responsibility towards the natural environment.

Students playing an outdoor game among the trees at bird camp — Interactive games were part of the three-day programme. Photo: Dachi Shoshitashvili

Students watching a projected presentation about birds during camp — Learning about birds together during an indoor session. Photo: Dachi Shoshitashvili

They also had the opportunity to visit the Sakhalvasho watch site, one of the two main stations where the BRC team counts migratory raptors. Observing kettles and streams of different birds of prey, they used their binoculars to see plumage and shape details of the birds and also tried spotting scopes and clickers to gain a better understanding of how the count takes place.

Students trying a spotting scope at the Sakhalvasho count station — Trying spotting scopes and clickers to gain a better understanding of how the count takes place. Photo: Dachi Shoshitashvili

Bird camp students in green T-shirts posing together outdoors — One of the groups taking part in our first bird camps. Photo: Dachi Shoshitashvili

At the end of each camp, students were divided into smaller groups and asked to present what they had learned over the three days. Every group had its own perspective and approach to presenting their experience. The feedback from students was really positive, showing the camp’s positive impact on them and sparking their interest in birds, with two students even starting their own bird clubs at their schools.

A student writing on a large poster decorated with leaves and flowers — Preparing a poster to share what they learned at camp. Photo: Dachi Shoshitashvili

Four students holding handwritten conservation messages in front of their bird camp poster — Students sharing their messages about caring for nature and protecting birds. Photo: Dachi Shoshitashvili

Between the two camps, our education team had a chance to meet with more than 25 teachers from the schools around the Batumi bottleneck.

With students starting bird clubs and teachers full of ideas, we’re excited to see what takes flight next.

Bird camp participants in green T-shirts holding their certificates — Students with their certificates at the end of bird camp. Photo: Dachi Shoshitashvili