Sign up youth 13-16 now for Virginia’s Camp Woods & Wildlife at Holiday Lake

CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA – Do you know how to identify a dogwood? By its bark.
What kind of tree fits in your hand? A palm tree. Ok, no more forest puns…we can’t “bear” it.

If you’re still reading this…Virginia’s Division of Forestry wants you to know to is time to apply for Camp Woods and Wildlife. Applications are now open for the 76th annual Camp Woods and Wildlife to be held June 17-21 at the Holiday Lake 4-H Educational Center near Appomattox.

Financial sponsorship is generously provided by a host of natural resource partners. As a result, every camper selected to attend receives a scholarship and pays only $95 to participate in the week-long residential camp. Hosted by the Virginia Department of Forestry (DOF), the camp offers an action-packed week in the woods for approximately 60 youth campers.

Camp Woods and Wildlife is an immersive forestry camp experience made possible through support and cooperation from partner conservation agencies, organizations and businesses.

Classes are taught by natural resource professionals and cover a wide variety of topics including wildlife habitat, tree identification, forest ecology, invasive species, careers in natural resources, and environmental protection.

Campers engage in classroom learning and outdoor activities held in Appomattox-Buckingham State Forest, which is Virginia’s largest state forest. The camp concludes with the camper favorite lumberjack contest, which consists of several team and individual competition events including crosscut, bow sawing and a log toss.

“Our 19,808-acre state forest classroom offers endless opportunities for campers to learn, build skills and discover careers in natural resources, “said Camp Coordinator Ellen Powell. “Be prepared when you pick your child up from camp, he or she won’t be able to stop talking about all of the different kinds of trees there are!”

Applicants must be Virginia residents 13-16 years old, in good academic standing, with an interest in natural resources, and cannot have attended this camp before.

Interested students should visit the Camp Woods and Wildlife page on the DOF website to learn more and apply. Please note: A non-relative adult, familiar with the student’s interests, must complete the nominator section and submit the application by April 15.