Camp Woods and Wildlife

June 2025
2025 Camp information and application will be available in February 2025.

Download Application

The Virginia Department of Forestry, in cooperation with other natural resource conservation agencies and organizations, has proudly administered Camp Woods and Wildlife (formerly called Holiday Lake Forestry Camp) for more than 70 years. Camp Woods and Wildlife is an academic, structured, residential camp that focuses on field experiences in forestry and other natural resources. This unique camping experience introduces 13-16-year-olds to the challenges, special skills, and knowledge needed for managing the forest resources we use and enjoy every day.

Camp Woods and Wildlife is ideal for students who:

  • wish to explore forestry and wildlife related careers
  • participate in forestry and wildlife judging teams, Envirothon competitions, or ecology clubs
  • want to experience hands-on learning and gain real-world skills in natural resources conservation

Dates and Location

Camp is typically held the third week of June each year, at the Holiday Lake 4-H Education Center, located within the 20,000-acreAppomattox-Buckingham State Forest. This working forest provides a vast outdoor classroom for interactive learning.

Cost

All students selected to attend Camp are awarded a $300 scholarship and pay a nominal $95 registration fee to confirm their attendance and acceptance of the scholarship.

Camp scholarships are funded through contributions from forest business and industry, conservation agencies and associations, and individual sponsors committed to educating tomorrow’s young leaders.

Camp Activities

Classes are taught mainly outdoors, by natural resource professionals.

Courses include:

Other learning experiences include urban forestry and forest products demonstrations;  exploratory classes in topics such as forest fire equipment and tactics, wilderness survival, canoeing, and archery; and presentations by conservation police officers, wildlife researchers, and other natural resource professionals.

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 and volleyball.

Application, Nomination, and Acceptance

Who Is Eligible

Camp Woods and Wildlife is open to boys and girls who

  • are aged 13 to 16 as of the first day of camp
  • are Virginia residents
  • show an interest in natural resources
  • have good academic standing
  • have not attended before

Campers are selected from nominations made by any non-related adult. Examples include teachers, forestry and wildlife professionals, Soil and Water Conservation Districts, 4-H and Scout Leaders, and partner sponsoring organizations.

Application Process

  • Applications for Camp Woods and Wildlife open in mid-January and close April 26. Check back in January for next year’s camp information. Form. 13.5 Camp Woods & Wildlife Application and Nomination Form is updated annually ad available below in the additional resources.

  • Prospective campers complete the first three sections of the application.

  • An adult nominator (not related to the camper) must complete the 4th section and submit the application.

    • Examples of nominators include teachers, forestry and wildlife professionals, Soil and Water Conservation Districts, youth group leaders, guidance counselors, and partner sponsoring organizations.

  • Applications without the nominator section completed, or submitted by someone other than the nominator, will not be accepted.

  • Nominators may submit forms by mail, e-mail, or fax:

Mailing Address

Virginia Department of Forestry
ATTN: Camp Woods & Wildlife
900 Natural Resources Drive, Suite 800
Charlottesville, VA 22903

E-MAIL: ellen.powell@DOF.virginia.gov

FAX: 434.296.2369

Completed applications will be reviewed and campers notified of acceptance beginning in March.


Camp Photo Archives

View our Camp Woods and Wildlife photo collection on our Flickr site.


Additional Resources

ImageTitleIDDescriptionContent TypeViewhf:tax:document-categoryhf:tax:Media
Camp Wood & Wildlife 2019 Camper Slideshow
Camp Wood & Wildlife 2019 Camper Slideshow

PowerPoint presentation of the camper slideshow for 2019 Camp Woods & Wildlife. (Warning – large file)

Vieweducation public-informationpresentation
Camp Wood & Wildlife 2022 Camper Slideshow
Camp Wood & Wildlife 2022 Camper Slideshow

PowerPoint presentation of the camper slideshow for 2022 Camp Woods and Wildlife. (Warning – large file)

Vieweducation public-informationpresentation
Camp Wood & Wildlife 2023 Camper Slideshow
Camp Wood & Wildlife 2023 Camper Slideshow

PowerPoint presentation of the camper slideshow for 2023 Camp Woods and Wildlife. (Warning – large file)

Vieweducation public-informationpresentation
Camp Wood & Wildlife 2024 Camper Slideshow
Camp Wood & Wildlife 2024 Camper Slideshow

PowerPoint presentation of the camper slideshow for 2024 Camp Woods & Wildlife. (Warning – large file)

Vieweducation public-informationpresentation
Camp Woods & Wildlife Application and Nomination Form
Camp Woods & Wildlife Application and Nomination Form13.05

Form is used to apply and nominate students for Camp Woods & Wildlife.

Viewpublic-informationform
Camp Woods & Wildlife Application and Nomination Form
Camp Woods & Wildlife Application and Nomination Form13.05

PDF format. Form is used to apply and nominate students for Camp Woods & Wildlife.

Viewpublic-informationform
Camp Woods and Wildlife Annual Report 2019
Camp Woods and Wildlife Annual Report 2019

Report is published each year following camp and provides the highlights of camp, staff, programs, sponsors, budget summary and announcement of dates for the following year’s camp.

Vieweducation public-informationpublication
Camp Woods and Wildlife Annual Report 2022
Camp Woods and Wildlife Annual Report 2022

Report is published each year following camp and provides the highlights of camp, staff, programs, sponsors, budget summary and announcement of dates for the following year’s camp.

Vieweducation public-informationpublication
Camp Woods and Wildlife Annual Report 2023
Camp Woods and Wildlife Annual Report 2023

Report is published each year following camp and provides the highlights of camp, staff, programs, sponsors and announcement of dates for the following year’s camp.

Vieweducation public-informationpublication
Camp Woods and Wildlife Frequently Asked Questions
Camp Woods and Wildlife Frequently Asked Questions

Information sheet of the most frequently asked questions about Camp Woods and Wildlife.

Vieweducation public-informationdocument
Camp Woods and Wildlife Postcard Advertising Camp
Camp Woods and Wildlife Postcard Advertising Camp

Camp Woods and Wildlife is typically held each year, normally in June. Printed copies available.

Vieweducation public-informationpublication
Holiday Lake Forestry Camp Annual Report 2015
Holiday Lake Forestry Camp Annual Report 2015

Report is published each year following camp and provides the highlights of camp, staff, programs, sponsors, budget summary and announcement of dates for the following year’s camp.

Vieweducation public-informationpublication
Holiday Lake Forestry Camp Annual Report 2016
Holiday Lake Forestry Camp Annual Report 2016

Report is published each year following camp and provides the highlights of camp, staff, programs, sponsors, budget summary and announcement of dates for the following year’s camp.

Vieweducation public-informationpublication
Holiday Lake Forestry Camp Annual Report 2017
Holiday Lake Forestry Camp Annual Report 2017

Report is published each year following camp and provides the highlights of camp, staff, programs, sponsors, budget summary and announcement of dates for the following year’s camp.

Vieweducation public-informationpublication
Holiday Lake Forestry Camp Annual Report 2018
Holiday Lake Forestry Camp Annual Report 2018

Report is published each year following camp and provides the highlights of camp, staff, programs, sponsors, budget summary and announcement of dates for the following year’s camp.

Vieweducation public-informationpublication

Contact Us

For more information or questions, e-mail us or use our contact form.