BTO Bird Camp

Bird Camps 2024

We are proud to be hosting Bird Camps in all four countries again in 2024!

BTO Youth will be organising Bird Camps in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, and working in partnership with our friends at SOC for a fourth camp in Scotland. Please read all the information here carefully before applying.

The four camps are:

• Northern Ireland, Co Tyrone, 24–26 May
• Scotland, Lothian, 31 May–2 June (apply on the SOC website)
• England, Lake District, 28–30 June
• Wales, Pembrokeshire, 19–21 July

What it's all about

Ages

The BTO Bird Camps 2024 are open for young people in secondary school or college at the time of camp, as long as you are under 18 during the camp. This typically means anyone aged 11–17. 

• Note that the Scotland camp is open for young people aged 10–16.

Cost

BTO Bird Camps are completely free of charge, to make them accessible to as many young people as possible. If you are financially able to do so, any contributions made will help us to keep running our camps for free in future.

• Please donate to our BTO Youth Appeal. Thank you.

Equipment

We understand that equipment like binoculars can be expensive. To make sure everyone can enjoy the camp, we'll have binoculars you can borrow and we'll bring scopes for everyone to use; just tick the option on the form if you want to borrow a pair of binoculars.

• You can also apply for our Equipment Donation Scheme. If you do, let us know which camp you’re planning to attend.

The programme

Each of the camps will follow a similar itinerary, outlined below, although this will change a bit based on location and the weather. A more detailed plan will be sent to campers in the week before the camp.

• Friday:
  (Late afternoon) Arrival at camp, getting to know each other, health & safety, evening activity (e.g. bat identification or arts).
• Saturday:
  Day trip to local nature reserve(s), learning about BTO surveys, bird identification, learning about science, creative workshop, evening activity (e.g. campfire or stargazing).
• Sunday:
  Ringing demo (weather-permitting), identifying birds by song, final presentations and pledges.

Accommodation

We'll be staying indoors in shared rooms, with either single or bunk beds. In all four countries, we are staying at accommodation specific for groups and schools and so we'll have everything needed to make your stay comfortable.

• If you need any adjustments to accommodation, or if you have any accessibility needs, just let us know on the application form and we'll do our best to arrange what you need.

Accessibility

We are committed to making all Bird Camps as accessible as possible. If you have any accessibility requirements or questions you would like to discuss, please email us at youth [at] bto.org.

Safeguarding

Safeguarding participants is of paramount importance. All of our staff and volunteers have completed safeguarding training and will be DBS-checked (Access NI in Northern Ireland) and cleared. A Designated Safeguarding Lead will be present at each camp.

• You can read our Safeguarding Policy for more information or email us at youth [at] bto.org if you have any questions.

Learn more at one of our Q&A events

We’ll be hosting two informal Q&A sessions on the 3rd and the 11th of April where you can learn more about the camps and ask any questions you might have.

Q&A 3rd April

Q&A 11th April

How to apply

• To apply, download the info pack below and read it carefully. Once you have done so, you need to fill out the application form online, before the deadline of 11.59pm on Sunday, April 14th.
• Applications for Northern Ireland camp have been extended, and the deadline is 11.59pm on Sunday, April 28th.
• If you have any issues with the form, please email us at youth [at] bto.org. 
• The application can be as creative as you like; you can include drawings, videos, or anything else that will help you tell us why you’d like to camp. Just include it in your application!
• Note that Scotland has an earlier deadline; visit the SOC website for more information.