The Virginia Department of Forestry, in cooperation with natural resource conservation agencies and organizations, has proudly administered Holiday Lake Forestry Camp for  over 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.

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Holiday Lake Forestry Camp 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.

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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.

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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.

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Recreation and athletics include swimming, softball and volleyball.

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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.

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The Camp is financed through contributions from forest industries, conservation agencies and associations, and individual sponsors committed to educating tomorrow's young leaders.

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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.

Holiday Lake Forestry Camp 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;

• show an interest in natural resources;

• good academic standing, and

• have not attended before. Previous attendees should consider Youth Conservation Camp instead.

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Applications are available in January of each year.  Please click on the link below to download an application:

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