Holiday Lake Forestry Camp 2008

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 administered Holiday Lake Forestry Camp for 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 experience hands on learning 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 professional foresters, wildlife biologists, and conservation resource specialists. View a presentation on the camp and its activities (English, PowerPoint format).

Courses include:

Sustainable Forest Management Practices
Timber Harvesting and Reforestation
Tree Measurements
Environmental Protection
Wildlife Management and Habitat Improvement
Stream Quality Analysis
Tree Identification.

Field trips are taken to an active logging operation, arborist training, and a modern paper mill.

Exploratory classes are offered in ecology, forest fire equipment and tactics, wilderness survival canoeing, skeet marksmanship, and high ropes initiatives.

Demonstration programs feature presentations by area Game Wardens, bloodhound search and rescue team, 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 are led by a qualified camp director and a Red Cross lifeguard. Included are swimming, softball, volleyball, and horseshoe pitching.

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 $60 registration fee to confirm their attendance and acceptance of the scholarship.

Criteria for nomination and matching scholarship

an interest in forestry, wildlife or related conservation activities
potential for benefiting from the Camp
age 13-16
good academic standing
Not eligible: Previous attendees are not eligible. Consider Youth Conservation Camp instead.

2008 Camp Information and Dates

Camp: June 16 - 21, 2008

Nominate a student

Nominations have closed for 2008. Please check this site again in early January 2009 for next year's camp information.

Teacher Training Program

Scholarships are available for educators to participate in camp classes and activities to receive re-certification credits and training in Project Learning Tree curricula. For a teacher application, email Lisa Deaton or contact her at 804.328.3031.

Holiday Lake Forestry Camp Annual Reports

Read about all the exciting learning experiences that kids are having at camp!

2007 Report (English; PDF format)
2006 Report (English; PDF format)
2005 Report (English; PDF format)
2004 Report

Need more information?

Contact Ellen Powell, Holiday Lake Forestry Camp Coordinator.
Phone: 434.977.6555

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

Last modified: Thursday, 08-May-2008 13:13:20 UTC