Camp Woods and Wildlife

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

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-acre Appomattox-Buckingham State Forest. This working forest provides a vast outdoor classroom for interactive learning.

Form. 13.5 Camp Woods & Wildlife Application and Nomination Form

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:

Sustainable Forest Management
Forest Ecology
Mapping
Environmental Protection
Forest Health
Wildlife Management
Tree Identification

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 4^th 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

Title	ID	Description	Content Type	View	hf:tax:document-category	hf:tax:Media
Camp Wood & Wildlife 2019 Camper Slideshow		PowerPoint presentation of the camper slideshow for 2019 Camp Woods & Wildlife. (Warning – large file)	Presentation	View	education public-information	presentation
Camp Wood & Wildlife 2022 Camper Slideshow		PowerPoint presentation of the camper slideshow for 2022 Camp Woods and Wildlife. (Warning – large file)	Presentation	View	education public-information	presentation
Camp Wood & Wildlife 2023 Camper Slideshow		PowerPoint presentation of the camper slideshow for 2023 Camp Woods and Wildlife. (Warning – large file)	Presentation	View	education public-information	presentation
Camp Wood & Wildlife 2024 Camper Slideshow		PowerPoint presentation of the camper slideshow for 2024 Camp Woods & Wildlife. (Warning – large file)	Presentation	View	education public-information	presentation
Camp Woods & Wildlife Application and Nomination Form	13.05	Form is used to apply and nominate students for Camp Woods & Wildlife.	Form	View	public-information	form
Camp Woods & Wildlife Application and Nomination Form	13.05	PDF format. Form is used to apply and nominate students for Camp Woods & Wildlife.	Form	View	public-information	form
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.	Publication	View	education public-information	publication
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.	Publication	View	education public-information	publication
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.	Publication	View	education public-information	publication
Camp Woods and Wildlife Frequently Asked Questions		Information sheet of the most frequently asked questions about Camp Woods and Wildlife.	Document	View	education public-information	document
Camp Woods and Wildlife Postcard Advertising Camp		Camp Woods and Wildlife is typically held each year, normally in June. Printed copies available.	Publication	View	education public-information	publication
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.	Publication	View	education public-information	publication
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.	Publication	View	education public-information	publication
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.	Publication	View	education public-information	publication
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.	Publication	View	education public-information	publication