Introducing the Georgia Youth Birding Competition

Have you that meme of Joe Rogan and friends going bananas watching an MMA fight? My favorite contains the caption, “Me after I turned 50 watching my bird feeder”. So true.

Birding is a wonderful sport. But how do people break into it? And even better – how do you introduce your nature loving kids to it? If you’re in Georgia, here’s a fantastic way to get your kids into a hobby with innumerable benefits that could last a lifetime.

The Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) just announced this year’s Youth Birding Competition. In the YBC, teams of youth will compete to identify as many birds as possible over a single 24 hour period. The competition takes place between April 12th and 20th, and the 24-hour period can take place anytime during that stretch.

But this is way more than a competition. No experience is necessary. Teams of youth can be paired with an adult mentor to school them up prior to the competition. What a great way to get into the world of birding with a pro.

When I was in my early thirties I worked with a kind elderly gentlemen named Joseph who was really into birding. At the time I owned 5 acres in Woodstock that to me seemed like a legit bird sanctuary. I asked Joseph about it and he was absolutely beside himself to take me out birding to a local park to show me the ropes, binoculars in hand. It was then that I realized how fun this thing called birding can really be. The point is, having an expert birder at my side was invaluable. There’s so much to learn and I enjoyed it more than I ever thought possible.

Entering the YBC will introduce your kids not only to the world of birds, but to an entire community of nature loving folk that are just itching to pass on their hobby and sport. But enter with caution – birding can be addictive!

Age groups consist of grades K-2, 3-5, 6-8 and 9-12. Prizes will be given at the closing ceremony and banquet on April 20th. But us parents know this is really about the thrill of learning an discovery that they’ll take with them the rest of their life.