Conservation Camp

2013 Youth Conservation Camp

July 14-20, 2013

Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA

For 36 years, the Virginia Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts has sponsored a week long summer conservation camp for Virginia high school students (currently enrolled in grades 9-12) on the campus of Virginia Tech. The program brings together about 70 interested students for a week of learning about Virginia’s natural resources from conservation professionals and faculty from Virginia Tech. Most of the instruction is hands-on and outdoors.

Scholarship funding to cover the registration fee may be available from your local Soil & Water Conservation District.

To apply for 2013 Youth Conservation Camp, contact your local SWCD to receive an application and find your local application deadline.

Find your Local Soil & Water Conservation District here.

Youth Conservation Camp is open to all Virginia students enrolled in High School for the current year. See camp pictures and testimonials from students on the VASWCD Facebook page. Contact your local Soil & Water Conservation District or Beth Sokolik at elizabeth.sokolik@vaswcd.org with questions or for additional camp information.

2012 Youth Conservation Camp Pictures can be found on the Virginia Association of Soil & Water Conservation Districts Facebook page. ‘Like’ our page for photos and updates!

Camp Schedule Highlights:

Sunday – Day 1

Opening Program
Virginia Tech Campus Tour
Volleyball Tournament

Monday – Day 2 – Claytor Lake State Park Trip

Lake Ecology Session
Fisheries Management
Water Quality

Highlights of Day 2 also include a forestry hike, shock fishing, swimming and a cookout.

Tuesday – Day 3

Cascades Hike – Hike to Cascades waterfall and investigate forestry and wildlife issues.
Tour Forest Products Center
Turfgrass Management Session

Wednesday – Day 4

Visit Virginia Tech Agricultural Farm – Learn agricultural best management practices including rotational grazing, alternative watering systems, nutrient management. Focus on agricultural stewardship.
Tour Dairy Science Center
Tour Swine Center
Tour College of Agriculture & Life Sciences
Soils Session

Thursday – Day 5 – Mountain Lake Field Trip

Visit Mountain Lake Field Trip – Participate in Karst Session, forest measurement information, and study wildlife research techniques
Tour Veterinary Teaching Hospital

Friday – Day 6

Canoeing on the New River
Stream Morphology Session
Scavenger Hunt Using GPS

Saturday – Day 7