Since Roger Tory Peterson first led his natural history tramps in the 1920’s and 1930’s, Chewonki campers have been fascinated by the wonders of the natural world.
    We bring this fascination to a new level, offering the opportunity to explore Australia. For those who have explored their back yards, ‘the Neck’, and the wilderness of Maine, this is a chance to experience an entirely new environment.
    Australia broke away from the Gondwanaland mother-continent 160 million years ago. Since then, isolation has created unique and diverse communities of plants and animals. The eastern coast of this vast continent provides an ideal range of climates and habitats for us to explore and learn about.
    The Whitsunday group of coastal islands will be the staging ground for in-depth exploration of coastal ecology and marine life. The islands are summits of a coastal mountain range that have been filled by rising sea level. Many different creatures make their home in this undulating coast: from hundreds of coral species, tropical fish, island plant communities, to genuine rainforest!
    On the mainland, we will explore both temperate and tropical rainforests, noting how they change with both latitude and altitude.
    Our service project on a small-scale organic farm in New South Wales will provide participants with an opportunity to meet local families and draw parallels to Chewonki’s own Salt Marsh Farm.
    In order to bring what we see home, we will use both group and personal journals to record our findings, thoughts and memories. We will use a digital camera as a field sampling tool, to share with others in the group and to illustrate a take-home publication which everyone will collaborate on.

Participants will receive solid instruction in sea kayaking skills, wilderness expedition techniques, and low impact camping. Our trip leaders are certified ACA sea kayak instructors, LNT trainers, ecologists, and experienced travelers in wilderness and urban environments!

For the Parent: while they are away:
    We have special systems in place to make your family feel close and connected—just as close as if your child was at Camp Chewonki.
    From telephones to email and our special TravelOz Website, you will be able to remain in close contact with your child’s travels in Australia.
    Chewonki’s resources will also allow the students to be contacted in case of emergency.