Pine Island CC brought in a local bird specialist from the The Carolina Raptor Center to talk with members and their kids about owls, hawks and falcons. After the presentation, kids constructed bird houses that they could take home and post to attract new feathery friends.

Like many private clubs today, Pine Island Country Club  (PICC) in Charlotte, N.C., is finding that events that include the entire family are often the most well-attended. Bearing that in mind, the club recently hosted a program, “A World of Wings,” that, according to General Manager Larry Yount, “captured the fancy of not only the younger members, but many adults as well.”

The program had two parts. The first involved a presentation from The Carolina Raptor Center that introduced members old and young to five live birds—one owl, two hawks and two falcons. The representative from the center explained how the birds are specially adapted for hunting their prey, location of their habitats in North Carolina, and how members can help protect these creatures.

THE GOAL:Create family events that would be both interesting and educational to all ages.THE PLAN: Tailoring the theme of the event around birds, Pine Island CC invited a raptor specialist to talk in-depth about owls, hawks and falcons. After the presentation, the kids were able to construct their own birdhouses. THE PAYOFF: The day incorporated every component of a successful event: It was informative and educational. Kids left with a sense of accomplishment. And it was fun for the whole family.

“The birds were magnificent to view up close, and were captivating to our younger crowd,” says Yount. “The presenter also had talons, wings and other visual aids to pass around for the attendees to touch and see up close.”

The second part of the event involved kids assembling a preconstructed birdhouse. Each child was given a kit that included the bottom/back and mounting post already assembled, with sides, front and top to be fitted and screwed together. Screws and screwdrivers were provided, with staff members and parents on hand to help.

“The kids felt like real carpenters as they saw their birdhouses came together before their eyes,” says Yount. “They were then given instruction on possible sites to mount their nesting boxes—trees, fence posts, sides of garages, or other outside buildings—and we discussed what type of bird might eventually inhabit the house.”

Finally, in keeping with the outdoor/wilderness theme, Amy O’Toole, PICC’s Event Director, provided everyone with a snack of trail mix and granola.