I attended the Audubon Youth Camp on Hog Island thirteen years ago, when I was just 10 years old. I actually won a scholarship to attend through an essay contest in the Audubon newspaper we received in my fourth grade class.
I have never forgotten the experience I had while on Hog Island … those were the most memorable 10 days of my childhood. The experiences being in the environment, being in nature, were ones I will never again be able to match.
Those were the most memorable 10 days of my childhood.
I specifically remember the fun I had getting all muddy at the mud flat. I also loved the boat ride where we dropped a net and then brought it up to see all the creatures we had collected along the way. But most of all I remember being in the Fish House at night singing all the songs. I met the most wonderful people while at the camp and kept in touch with a few campers after we left.
Now I am about to graduate from college, and I was recently assigned to write a paper on any topic for a leisure studies class. I was trying to think of something that really had an impact on my life, something that I could remember the most vivid details about. The first thing that came to my mind was the camp on Hog Island.
As I revisit my memories — along with looking at the Web site — I thought I’d comment on what a wonderful experience it was for me. I’m so happy to see that it has been such a successful program as the years have passed.
The Maine Audubon Society formed an affiliation with National Audubon in February of 2000. As a part of that affiliation Maine Audubon acquired a long term lease and management responsibilities for the Todd Wildlife Sanctuary, including Hog Island.
Property Manager Bos Savage (right) and caretaker Anthony Liss
At the time of the affiliation, Scott Saunders was in charge of the waterfront and property management for the sanctuary. Bob “Bos” Savage, Director of Property Management for Maine Audubon, worked closely with Scott Saunders over the summer of 2000. After conducting several site inspection visits and incorporating existing lists of deferred maintenance projects, including a listing of capital level repairs (prepared by local contractor Tim Hanley) a new “master list” of needed repairs was created and prioritized.
Maine Audubon placed the highest priority on health and safety issues followed by the needs of program participants and has been investing between $20,000 and $40,000 per year in capital level projects. Some significant projects remain undone and will require funding from a capital campaign in order to be completed. These projects include: foundation level repairs to the “Bridge” and “Porthole”, replacement of the main electrical feed cable connecting the mainland and island, and the likely replacement of the main program boat the “Puffin IV.”
The following represents a listing, by category, of those projects that have been completed as of the summer of 2003 but does not include the multitude of smaller projects completed since the affiliation.
Electrical
Rewired Fish House – added exhaust fan – $5000
Rewired Bridge-replaced dishwasher heater – $4800
Rewired Warden’s Residence – $4400
Rewired Crows Nest – $2900
Replaced Island Service Entrance – $8600
Replaced Island Transformer – $7200
Bathrooms/Plumbing
Added Bathrooms to Port Hole – $14,500
Added new Bathroom to Warden’s Residence – $16,000
Replaced two Grinder Pumps – $1300
Replaced Well Pump at Warden’s Residence – $650
Repaired and Repainted Well House Tank – $300
Added Shower to Bilge – $600
Building Repairs/Construction
Replaced Binnacle Roof – $1100
Replaced Kitchen Roof and Skylights – $1800
Replaced Walk-In Roof – $450
Partial Roof Replacement at Focsle – $350
Partial Roof Replacement at Warden’s Residence – $400
Added Stockade Fencing at Dumpster and Kitchen – $750
Replaced Helm Deck – $1500
Replaced Visitor Center Deck – $2600
Installed and Enlarged Tent Platforms – $750
Repaired Fish House Sill – $400
Painting
Bridge Exterior and Dining Room – $1100
Fish House Shutters and Trim – $150
Porthole Interior and Furniture – $800
Mainland and Island Stores – $450
Parts of Warden’s Residence and Visitor Center – $350
Waterfront/Boat
Replaced Main Island Float – $7600
Replaced Mainland Float and Gangway – $12,500
Replaced Osprey Pilot House – $4000
Added new Skiff, Outboard and Trailer – $4900
Replaced Electronics on Puffin IV – $3500
Replaced Safety Equipment on Puffin IV – $950
Sanctuary/Grounds
Replaced Main Entrance Sign – $600
Parking Lot Improvements – $900
Island Clean-up – $300
Tree/Blowdown Work – $250
Bos Savage is Director of Property Management, Maine Audubon Society
Painting