Holiday Lake Forestry Camp – More Than Just Trees!

The nation’s longest-running forestry camp for youth is also one of America’s best values for a residential summer program.  And nominations for the 63rd annual Holiday Lake Forestry Camp are now open.

Running June 15 – 20, 2009, the Holiday Lake Forestry Camp is a week-long residential program that, due to the generous support provided by forest industries, conservation agencies, organizations and individuals, costs just $60.  (Each camper selected to attend is awarded a $200 scholarship to help defray the $260 cost of the camp.)

Hosted by the Virginia Department of Forestry and supported by a number of other state agencies, conservation organizations, businesses and individuals, campers experience hands-on learning about wildlife habitat, tree identification, timber harvesting, reforestation, environmental protection and more. They also take part in field trips, exploratory classes, outdoor recreation and a Lumberjack Field Day.

“Forestry Camp is much more than a walk in the woods,” said Ellen Powell, VDOF’s camp coordinator.  “The camp is comprehensive and provides an excellent introduction to career opportunities in the natural resources arena.”

Teachers, natural resources professionals, and others working with youth may make nominations for this successful program.  Campers must be Virginia residents 13-16 years old with good academic standing, an interest in natural resources, and must not have attended Forestry Camp before.

“One unique aspect to Forestry Camp is that school teachers may also attend the program,” Powell said. “Teachers receive more than 30 hours of recertification training, and they take away lots of resources they can use in their classrooms.”

To nominate a camper, visit the VDOF Web site: www.dof.virginia.gov/edu/camp.shtml. Nominations are due by April 20. Nominees will be contacted to verify their interest and notified of acceptance within one month of returning their interest survey.

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The Virginia Department of Forestry protects and develops healthy, sustainable forest resources for Virginians. Headquartered in Charlottesville, the Agency has 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 144,000 Virginians employed in forestry, forest products and related industries, Virginia forests provide more than $27.5 Billion annually in benefits to the Commonwealth.