Holiday Lake Forestry Camp 2012

Sixty-five campers and 3 teachers attended the annual Holiday Lake Forestry Camp.  Campers learned about diverse topics, including tree identification, forest management, environmental protection, and wildlife.  Many came away with a new appreciation for forestry and a desire to further their education in the natural resource field.

The Virginia Department of Forestry, in cooperation with natural resource conservation agencies and organizations, has proudly administeredHoliday Lake Forestry Campfor more than 60 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.

Have questions? Get answers from our information sheet.

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 experiencehands onlearning about natural resources conservation.

Location

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.

Program Activities

Classes are taught in the woods by natural resource professionals. View a presentation on the camp and its activities (English; PowerPoint format).

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, softball and volleyball.

Scholarships Provided

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

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.

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 $75 registration fee to confirm their attendance and acceptance of the scholarship.

Criteria for nomination and matching scholarship

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.

2012 Camp Information and Dates

  • Camp: June 18-23.
  • Registration Deadline: April 16.

Nominate a student

Use our online Nomination Form to participate this year.

Use our paper Nomination Form to participate this year.

Department of Forestry
ATTN: Ellen Powell
900 Natural Resources Drive, Suite 800
Charlottesville, VA 22903

Holiday Lake Forestry Camp Annual Reports

Read about all the exciting learning experiences that kids are having at camp! These reports are in English, PDF format.

Need more information?

Contact Ellen Powell, Holiday Lake Forestry Camp Coordinator.
Phone: 434.220.9083

Holiday Lake Forestry Camp programs are open to all people regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, or disability. EEO/AA

Last modified: Monday, 23-Jan-2012 10:09:42 EST


Forester Heather Dowling addresses participants at a Women and Land workshop.  Seventy-five women attended the two  workshops, held recently in Petersburg and Harrisonburg, to learn about resources available to help them manage natural resources on their land.

Forester Heather Dowling addresses participants at a Women and Land workshop. Seventy-five women attended the two workshops, held recently in Petersburg and Harrisonburg, to learn about resources available to help them manage natural resources on their land.


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