Twelve participants learn about vulnerable species and advocate for them at July 8 Camp Chillisquaque

Twelve students between the ages of 7-12 participated in the July 8, 2026, Camp Chillisquaque day camp at the Montour Preserve. 

Students learned about endangered and threatened species, did habitat assessments and studies, engaged with a special speaker with game, craft and info and worked on advocacy for species they felt deserved a bigger voice. 

The programming included assessing the Middle Branch of the Chillisquaque Creek using sampling equipment provided in partnership with DegenSTEAM. This included measuring pH and temperature, doing macroinvertebrate studies and general sense reviews.

The day's special speakers included Jen Hunsinger and Bert Coulter of the PA Master Naturalists with a program on fireflies and why their populations are dwindling. Participants played a game using flashlights to mimic the different species of firefly and the difficulty of finding a match as well as a suncatcher craft. 

Participants worked on posters, songs and other elements of advocacy at the end of the day, focusing on a wide variety of species including the Piping plover, Black-and-white warbler, hellbender, Northern flying squirrel, Loggerhead shrike, Common tern and others.  

Some of the advocacy posters included:

One participant created a song about flying squirrels:

Some photos from the experience: