The 2026 Youth Conservation Camp Applications are OPEN!
The 2026 Youth Conservation Camp will take place at Virginia Tech, July 12-18, 2026. Fill out this application and submit it to your local Soil & Water Conservation District. Check with your local SWCD for their application submission deadline.
For over 40 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 9th-12th) 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. 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.
Take a look at our 2025 Annual Report to get a glimpse into what a fun-filled week at YCC looks like!
Younger students (13-16 year olds) check out the VA Dept. of Forestry Camp Woods & Wildlife held each June at Holiday Lake 4-H Center near Appomattox, Virginia.
Reach out to byron.minson@vaswcd.org with any questions
For Local SWCD use only: Applications are due to Byron Minson by May 4, 2026. Payment is due by June 1, 2026.