By Seth Benz
Infrastructure Watch
Large strides toward facility safety, working-boat longevity, and camper comfort were accomplished during 2000. A very generous private donation allowed for the electrical rewiring of the Bridge and the Fish House, necessary to bring those two buildings up to industry code.
An eleventh hour anonymous donation of $5,000 proved extremely valuable toward salvage and life extension work of the Osprey, our principal maintenance vessel. Barring any insurance complications, the Osprey may now enjoy one more year of work and possibly more.
In an effort to make the camp experience somewhat more convenient for those assigned to the Porthole, new bathroom facilities were installed on each floor. Consisting of two shower stalls and two toilets on each floor, the bathrooms drew rave reviews on camper evaluations. Indeed, favorable comments on the Porthole bathrooms were second only to the perennial camper favorite — Janii’s food!
Upon first glance, the view from the mainland Visitor Center’s glass doors toward the island is easy on the eyes. However, as many of you have remarked upon recent visits to the island, there is much work to do. Cosmetic coats of exterior paint would help the Bridge as well as trim on other buildings, ageing gangway rails and floats could use a boost, and the various flower beds and gardens could use some tender loving care. These easy-to-see items are reaching the point where attention is necessary.
The attention given to island as well as mainland facilities under the new management of Maine Audubon Society’s Management and Grounds Department has the entire facility moving in the right direction.
And, more importantly, there are some critical projects pressing ever so closely to the top of the priority list such that they can no longer be delayed. In the next year, we plan to address the foundations of the Binnacle and possibly the Bridge. The roofs of the Foc’s’cle and Binnacle must be repaired or replaced. As always, these crucial projects must be carefully and seasonally planned, timed with a sensitivity to the vagaries of weather and the press of an approaching season.
I am delighted to report that the attention given to island as well as mainland facilities under the new management of Maine Audubon Society’s Management and Grounds Department has the entire facility moving in the right direction. Private donations for specific projects or gifts for general use would be very much appreciated.
Summer 2001 Camp Highlights
Maintenance Department
- New deck added to mainland visitor center
- Deck replaced on the Helm (staff residence)
- Upgraded mainland visitor center store interior
- Upgraded caretaker residence interior and exterior
- Construction of dumpster enclosure on mainland
- Construction of Zelvin, maintenance apparatus for grinder pumps
- New roof on Binnacle (staff residence)
Waterfront
- Donation of Archer, new 14′ aluminum maintenance boat and motor
- New fiberglass deck for Osprey (maintenance boat)
- Sold out-of-service Puffin III (old program boat)
Program
- 95% camper enrollment during July and August
- Expanded scholarship allocations
- Highest tally of hours of volunteer effort in recent history
- Expanded mainland summer programs
- Addition of Nature Literature and Journaling session
- Half-day and day-long kayak explorations added
- Friends of Hog Island work/study session
Special Events
- Hosted Gulf of Maine Seabird Working Group annual orientation
- Hosted Midcoast AS Chapter annual dinner
- Visited by National Audubon’s 2020 centers administrative team
- Hosted opening event of Maine Audubon’s strategic planning process
- Featured on CBS radio’s Osgood Files: “An Audio Portrait of Camp”
- Benefited by hosting Maine Audubon’s all-staff work day
