Holiday Lake Forestry Camp, held June 15-20, marked the 69^th year the camp has been held at Holiday Lake 4-H Educational Center.  Administered by the Department of Forestry in cooperation with natural resource conservation agencies and organizations, Forestry Camp allows students to experience hands-on learning about natural resource conservation. 

“Forestry Camp gives the students an opportunity to expand their knowledge as they explore the study of Natural Resources, possibly as a career. It is an academic camp, students are tested as they go along” said D. Drew Arnn, area forester with Dept. of Forestry and director of Forestry Camp.   

Classes offered included Sustainable Forest Management, Forest Ecology, Reforestation and Tree Improvement, Tree Measurements, Environmental Protections, Wildlife Management and Tree Identification. Campers received study materials and instruction from experts in their field. 

Participation in Forestry camp is offered to boys and girls, ages 13-16, who live in Virginia and have been nominated to attend due to their good academic standing and interest in natural resources.  “We have about 63 students here this week from all over the state of Virginia” Director Arnn said.

Some highlights offered at Forestry Camp included a visit to a paper mill, exploratory classes in topics such as forest fire equipment and tactics, and presentations by Conservation police officers and wildlife researchers.  Lumberjack Field Day was held for group competition in crosscut sawing, log-rolling, and other traditional outdoor skills contests.

To learn more about Forestry Camp and the nomination process go to: http://dof.virginia.gov.