Camp Woods & Wildlife
The Virginia Department of Forestry, in cooperation with natural resource conservation agencies and organizations, has proudly administered Holiday Lake Forestry Camp - now called Camp Woods & Wildlife - for more than 70 years. This unique camping experience has introduced young Virginians to the challenges, special skills and knowledge needed for managing the forest resources we use and enjoy every day.
Camp Woods & Wildlife is ideal for students:
to explore and experience activities in forestry and wildlife related careers
who participate in forestry and wildlife judging teams, Envirothon competitions, or ecology clubs
to experience hands on learning about natural resources conservation.
Program Activities
Classes are taught in the woods by natural resource professionals.
Courses include:
Sustainable Forest Management
Forest Ecology
Reforestation and Tree Improvement
Tree Measurements
Environmental Protection
Wildlife Management
Tree Identification
Other learning experiences include a field trip to a local paper mill; urban forestry demonstrations; exploratory classes in topics such as forest fire equipment and tactics, wilderness survival, canoeing, archery, skeet marksmanship, and wood turning; and presentations by Conservation Police Officers, arson investigators, and wildlife researchers.
Campers participate in a Lumberjack Field Day with group competition in crosscut sawing, log rolling, and other traditional outdoor skills contests.
Recreation and athletics include swimming and volleyball.
Scholarships Provided
All students selected to attend Camp are awarded a $200 scholarship towards the cost of attending Camp such as food, facilities, and activity materials. Campers pay a $85 registration fee to confirm their attendance and acceptance of the scholarship.
The Camp is financed through contributions from forest industries, conservation agencies and associations, and individual sponsors committed to educating tomorrow's young leaders.
Criteria for Nomination
Campers are selected from nominations made by teachers, forestry and wildlife professionals, Soil and Water Conservation Districts, 4-H and Scout Leaders, and partner sponsoring organizations.
Camp Woods & Wildlife is an academic, structured, residential camp that focuses on field experiences in forestry and other natural resources. Nominees are:
boys and girls ages 13 to 16;
are Virginia residents;
an interest in natural resources;
good academic standing, and
have not attended before. Previous attendees should consider Youth Conservation Camp instead.
Nominate a Student
Nominations for The 2019 Camp Woods & Wildlife are open through April 10, 2020
After January 1, 2020: complete and submit (by email or FAX) a nomination form. If you have any questions, please contact Ellen Powell – [email protected] or 434.220.9083.
Nomination Form [ Word Template | Word Document | PDF ] Department of Forestry
ATTN: Ellen Powell
900 Natural Resources Drive, Suite 800
Charlottesville, VA 22903
FAX: 434.296.2369.
Dates and Location
Camp: June 22-27, 2020
Camp is held at the Holiday Lake 4-H Education Center located within the 20,000 acre Appomattox-Buckingham State Forest. This working forest provides a vast outdoor classroom for interactive learning.
Camp Woods & Wildlife is ideal for students:
to explore and experience activities in forestry and wildlife related careers
who participate in forestry and wildlife judging teams, Envirothon competitions, or ecology clubs
to experience hands on learning about natural resources conservation.
Program Activities
Classes are taught in the woods by natural resource professionals.
Courses include:
Sustainable Forest Management
Forest Ecology
Reforestation and Tree Improvement
Tree Measurements
Environmental Protection
Wildlife Management
Tree Identification
Other learning experiences include a field trip to a local paper mill; urban forestry demonstrations; exploratory classes in topics such as forest fire equipment and tactics, wilderness survival, canoeing, archery, skeet marksmanship, and wood turning; and presentations by Conservation Police Officers, arson investigators, and wildlife researchers.
Campers participate in a Lumberjack Field Day with group competition in crosscut sawing, log rolling, and other traditional outdoor skills contests.
Recreation and athletics include swimming and volleyball.
Scholarships Provided
All students selected to attend Camp are awarded a $200 scholarship towards the cost of attending Camp such as food, facilities, and activity materials. Campers pay a $85 registration fee to confirm their attendance and acceptance of the scholarship.
The Camp is financed through contributions from forest industries, conservation agencies and associations, and individual sponsors committed to educating tomorrow's young leaders.
Criteria for Nomination
Campers are selected from nominations made by teachers, forestry and wildlife professionals, Soil and Water Conservation Districts, 4-H and Scout Leaders, and partner sponsoring organizations.
Camp Woods & Wildlife is an academic, structured, residential camp that focuses on field experiences in forestry and other natural resources. Nominees are:
boys and girls ages 13 to 16;
are Virginia residents;
an interest in natural resources;
good academic standing, and
have not attended before. Previous attendees should consider Youth Conservation Camp instead.
Nominate a Student
Nominations for The 2019 Camp Woods & Wildlife are open through April 10, 2020
After January 1, 2020: complete and submit (by email or FAX) a nomination form. If you have any questions, please contact Ellen Powell – [email protected] or 434.220.9083.
Nomination Form [ Word Template | Word Document | PDF ] Department of Forestry
ATTN: Ellen Powell
900 Natural Resources Drive, Suite 800
Charlottesville, VA 22903
FAX: 434.296.2369.
Dates and Location
Camp: June 22-27, 2020
Camp is held at the Holiday Lake 4-H Education Center located within the 20,000 acre Appomattox-Buckingham State Forest. This working forest provides a vast outdoor classroom for interactive learning.