The 2025 Young Birders Event for high school-aged birders gives students with a passion for birds the chance to learn about careers in ornithology (Killdeer photo by Matt Filperin).

The Cornell Lab of Ornithology is now accepting applications for the 2025 Young Birders Event from high school-aged birders from anywhere in the world. Students with a passion for birds who want to learn about careers in ornithology are invited to apply by March 16th. The Young Birders Event takes place June 26 thru 29, and you must be a student entering grades 10, 11, or 12 next summer to participate. This 4-day event is packed with learning opportunities from staff about their varied careers, and learning how each student’s interests could apply to a future career with birds.

The Cornell Lab is home to a few hundred staff members who are working with birds in different ways: As wildlife biologists, computer scientists, ecologists, artists, communicators, audio specialists, app designers, educators, and more. You will interact with many staff members and the Young Birder’s Event will also feature: 3 days of field trips around the Finger Lakes region, learning from Cornell Lab staff about ways to incorporate birds into a career, a hands-on sound recording and editing workshop with Macaulay Library staff, plus tours of the Cornell Lab building and grounds including the Museum of Vertebrates.

A total of 16 students will be selected, and there is a tuition charged that includes lodging, food, and transportation to birding sites during the event. Travel expenses to and from Ithaca, New York are not covered in the tuition, but if the tuition or cost of travel is a barrier to attending the event, please contact the Cornell Lab – scholarships and financial aid are available for a student.

Learn more about the Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s summer Young Birder’s Event at The Cornell Lab Young Birders Event 2025 - eBird