61st Annual Forestry Camp: More Than Just Trees

Nominations are open for the 61st annual Holiday Lake Forestry Camp – the longest running camp of its kind in the nation. Teachers, natural resource professionals and others may nominate youth (ages 13 – 16) for the week-long camp that will be held June 18 – 23, 2007 at the Holiday Lake 4-H Center, located within the 20,000-acre Appomattox-Buckingham State Forest.

“Forestry Camp is much more than a walk in the woods,” said Ellen Powell, conservation education coordinator with the Virginia Department of Forestry (VDOF). “Campers experience hands-on learning about wildlife habitat, tree identification, timber harvesting, reforestation, environmental protection, and more. They also take part in exciting field trips, exploratory classes, outdoor recreation, and a Lumberjack Field Day.”

Financial sponsorships from forest industries, conservation agencies, associations and individuals cover most of the cost of the Camp. Each camper selected to attend receives a $200 “scholarship,” which means each camper pays just $60 to participate in the week-long, residential program.

To nominate a camper, visit the VDOF Web site (www.dof.virginia.gov/edu/camp.shtml) and complete the one-page form. Nominations are being accepted now and they close April 20, 2007. Nominees will be notified of acceptance within one month of nomination receipt.

“Students tell us that Forestry Camp had a profound impact on them and, in many cases, has led to careers in the natural resources profession,” said Powell.

For more information, please contact Ellen Powell at 434.220.9083.

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The Virginia Department of Forestry protects and develops healthy, sustainable forest resources for Virginians. Headquartered in Charlottesville, there are Forestry staff members assigned to every county to provide service to citizens of the Commonwealth. VDOF is an equal opportunity provider.

With nearly 16 million acres of forest land and more than 183,000 Virginians employed in the forest products industry, Virginia forests provide more than $29 Billion annually in benefits to the Commonwealth.