Educational Conference 
Learn techniques to create award winning carvings from champion carvers. The Educational Department coordinates an Educational Conference in conjunction with the World Championship. From April 19 - 22, 2010 two to four day classes are held in Ocean City, MD by various master carvers. One hour to one day seminars are offered at the convention center throughout the weekend. Below is a list of the classes, field trips and seminars available.
The 2010 Guide is available now as well as the Conference Registration Form.
CLASSES
For complete class descriptions, material lists and instructor biographies click on each instructors name below.
Monday - Thursday, April 19-22
Bob Guge: Carve and Paint a Scarlet Tanager
Jerry Simchuk: Paint a Black-capped Chickadee
Tuesday - Thursday, April 20-22
Rosalyn Daisey: Carve and Paint a Vermillion Flycatcher
Rich Smoker: Carve and Paint a 1935 Ward Brothers Style Widgeon Drake
Wednesday - Thursday, April 21-22
Capt. Tom Cornicelli: Painting Techniques for "Gunning Pairs"
Richard Finch: Create Lichen, Bark and Limbs for Habitat
Jeff Rechin: Paint an Eastern Bluebird
Lonnie Dye: Paint a Yellow Warbler
SEMINARS
Attending a seminar is a great way to immerse yourself into the Ward World Championship experience. Through lectures, demonstrations and discussions, you will learn from the best. Participants are encouraged to take notes, photographs and collect handouts from the instructors.
Friday, April 23 and Saturday, April 24
Larry Barth: Texturing and Wood Burning: Preparing to Paint - 1 hour
Tom Christie: Techniques for Proper Flotation in Gunning Decoys - 1 hour
Jack Cox: Painting with Iridescence - 1 hour
Del Herbert: Creating a Working Shorebird - 2 hours
Peter Palumbo: What are the Judges Looking for? - 1 hour
Paul Rhymer: From Clay to Bronze: The Process of Bronze Sculpture
Heck Rice: The Art of Canvas Decoys - 2 hours
Donald Schaefer: The Use of Taxidermy in Carving - 1 hour
Floyd Scholz: The World of Raptors: From Kestrels to Condors and Everything in Between! - 3 hours
Bill Wallen: How to Photograph Your Art – 1 hour; Tips for Successful Bird Photography – 1 hour
Carving 101
and more to come...
*New Opportunity for Youth Competitors - Painting Techniques for Working Decoys
Spend a few hours practicing and observing painting techniques from expert carvers Keith Mueller and Tom Newell. Each student will receive a blank courtesy of Dux’ Dekes Decoy Co. Space is limited for this special youth opportunity. Pre-registration required - 3 hours
Seminar Pricing
Early Bird All Access Seminar Pass (Before January 31, 2009) $100 Members Only
All Access Seminar Pass $125 M, $150 NM
Per Hour Ticket $10 M, $15 NM
Six Hour Ticket Discount $50 M, $75 NM
Youth ages 18 and under Free*
*Youth ages 18 and under receive FREE admission to seminars (does not apply to pre-registration seminars).
FIELD TRIPS
Thursday, April 22
Shorebird Explorer Boat Trip (2 - 4 p.m.)
$25 Members, $30 Non-members
Tour by boat around Skimmer Island and the North Shore of Assateague Island National Seashore. Glimpse oystercatchers, cormorants, loons, terns, piping plovers, wild ponies and more! Boat space is limited. Pre-register early to ensure your spot on the boat. Arrive at Talbot Street Pier promptly at 1:30 pm. Held in conjunction with Delmarva Birding Weekend.
Sunday, April 25
Birds in the Hand and Field (8:30 a.m. - Noon)
$30 Members, $45 Non-members
See songbirds being banded for scientific study at The Nature Conservancy’s Nassawango Creek Nature Preserve - Maryland’s largest private nature reserve. With more than 70 recorded species of migratory birds at Nassawango Creek, the reserve is a critical stopover point for migratory birds 
along the Atlantic Coast Flyway. Since 1978, the Conservancy has protected more than 9,300 acres of bald cypress swamp and upland forest along the preserve. Participants will see professionals capture, process, and band songbirds. Bring your camera for close-up shots! Trip includes a short walk along the Prothonotary Birding Trail. After two and a half hours in the field, the trip returns to OC Convention Center.
Fieldtrip departs from OC Convention Center promptly at 8:30 a.m. Held in conjunction with Delmarva Birding Weekend. If it rains, fieldtrip will be cancelled and refunded. Maximum 15 participants
Please Note: Conference pricing does not include admission into the competition hall or admission to the Ward Museum. Pre-registration is required for all classes, special fieldtrips and seminars with limited seating. Minimum $100 non-refundable deposit is required for all classes at time of registration. Payments are due in FULL by Friday, March 26, 2010. All classes are subject to cancellation before April 1, 2010. Seminars are first come, first serve basis unless pre-registration is noted. All Access Seminar Pass does not guarantee admission to seminars with limited seating (pre-registration still applies). Seminar and special fieldtrip balances are due upon receipt. Member prices are for current Ward Museum Members only. Youth ages 18 and under receive FREE admission to seminars (*does not apply to pre-registration seminars). Seminars subject to cancellation without notification. Refunds honored in full upon administrative cancellation of class.