The 2026 Youth Conservation Camp Applications are CLOSED! YCC Applications for July 2027 will open in early 2027.
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.