Audubon Naturalist Society Summer Camp (Leesburg, VA)

Various Dates- Please view the Camp Catalog
Audubon Naturalist Society Summer Camps provide outdoor fun and discovery for campers ages 4 to 17. The Rust Nature Sanctuary, located in Leesburg, Virginia, is the largest of the three sanctuaries run by the Audubon Naturalist Society. Our 68 acres include forests, a meadow, a pond, and a wetland. Junior naturalists will find our sanctuary fascinating with insects, amphibians, mammals, and birds found throughout the sanctuary. For younger children we offer our new playtrail, an exciting hands-on nature experience. Rust is located at 802 Children's Center Road, Leesburg, VA. For more information call 703-669-0000 x1. Please visit the Audubon Naturalist Society website for registration information and more details about the camps.

Soil & Water Conservation District Summer Camps (Appomattox and Blacksburg, VA)

Holiday Lake Forestry Camp
June 13-18, 2011
Holiday Lake 4-H Education Center, Appomattox-Buckingham State Forest
Students ages 13-16 are eligible for this camp, which is coordinated by the Virginia Department of Forestry. Topics include: sustainable forest management practices, timber harvesting and reforestation, tree measurements and environmental protection. For more information about the camp, please visit the Dept of Forestry website.

For Culpeper students: If you have any questions, would like an application, or to learn about scholarship opportunities, please visit the Culpeper Soil & Water Conservation District website or call (540) 825-8591. Applications must be completed and submitted to the CSWCD by April 1. Applications can be sent to the CSWCD office by mail at 351 Lakeside Dr, Culpeper, VA 22701 or by fax at (540) 825-8637.

For Fauquier students: If you have questions about the camp, please visit the John Marshall Soil & Water Conservation District website or call Jennifer Hoysa at (540) 347-3120 extension 3. Fauquier County applications should be sent to: John Marshall Soil and Water Conservation District, 98 Alexandria Pike, Suite 31, Warrenton, Virginia 20186.

Youth Conservation Camp
July 10-16, 2011
Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA
Students in grades 9-12 are eligible for this camp, which is coordinated by the Virginia Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts. Topics include: lake ecology, fisheries management, forestry and wildlife issues, turfgrass management, land use planning, soils, agricultural best management practices, geology, shoreline erosion and stream morphology.

For Culpeper students: If you have any questions, would like an application, or to learn about scholarship opportunities, please visit the Culpeper Soil & Water Conservation District website or call (540) 825-8591. Applications must be completed and submitted to the CSWCD by April 15. Applications can be sent to the CSWCD office by mail at 351 Lakeside Dr, Culpeper, VA 22701 or by fax at (540) 825-8637.

For Fauquier students: If you have questions about the camp, please visit the John Marshall Soil & Water Conservation District website or call Jennifer Hoysa at (540) 347-3120 extension 3. Fauquier County applications should be sent to: John Marshall Soil and Water Conservation District, 98 Alexandria Pike, Suite 31, Warrenton, Virginia 20186.

The Living Earth School Summer Camps (Charlottesville, VA)

The Living Earth Day Camps are a one-of-a-kind nature camp experience. We will spend the week exploring the mountains, streams and other wild places. Campers work together in small groups learning about the natural world, plants, mammals, tracking, birds, wilderness survival, awareness and so much more. We do this with hands-on activities, games, adventures and fun challenges. Our instructors guide campers into experiences that nurture their connection to the earth and allow them to feel at home in the natural world. Camp runs Monday-Wednesday from 9am to 4pm. The overnight, which is optional, is held on Thursday and pick up is on Friday at noon. There is an optional aftercare program available for an additional $20, with pick up on Friday at 4pm.

At Living Earth Camps, we give each camper the attention they need to follow their passions, to connect with nature and each other. We have some of the best staff on the planet. The campers come first because they should. We serve mostly organic kid-friendly food, that the kids rave about. We buy from our local farms when ever we can. At our mountain camp, we try to keep life simple, natural, full of learning and laughter. Just good ol' down to earth fun!

Living Earth Camps adjoin Shenandoah National Park, nestled in the Blue Ridge mountains amongst forest, field, and river. A natural paradise with a lifetime worth of learning and exploration. The Living Earth Summer Camps are conveniently located in Sugar Hollow, just 20 minutes outside of Charlottesville, VA. There are carpooling options. To learn more please visit the Living Earth School website or call 540-456-7339.

Living Earth Day Camp
June 20 - 24, 2011
June 27 - July 1, 2011
August 8 - 12, 2011
Tuition: $270
Ages: 7 - 11
Living Earth Day Camp website
Registration Information

Earth Roots Overnight Camp
July 3 - 8, 2011--Ages 8-12
July 24 - 29, 2011--Ages 8-12
July 31 - Aug 5, 2011--Ages 10+,
Tuition: $585
Earth Roots is our foundation program, designed for both new and returning campers. Get back to your roots and learn the philosophy of living close to nature, wilderness survival, and nurture your connection to the earth. We will explore the surrounding forests, swim in mountain streams, as we discover more about the magical world of nature through building natural shelters, making fires without matches, and preparing wild plants for food. Campers gain self-esteem, work cooperatively and make new friends, as they gain confidence in both living and feeling at home in the natural world. This is a camp where campers are truly looked after and cared about. It is a safe place where kids can try new things and discover more about who they are. Evenings are spent circled around the campfire telling stories, star gazing, laughing a lot, making native crafts, including coal-burned spoons and bowls. Once the returning campers have completed the core foundation their day consists of several fun adventures and advanced skills of their choice.

Way of the Scout Overnight Camp
August 8 - 13, 2011
Age 11+
Tuition: $585
This camp is for campers who have been to Earth Roots for 2 years. The Way of the Scout Camp is the essence of what kids love to do - sneak, hide, stretch their awareness, and challenge themselves. The ancient native scout roamed Turtle Island reading the landscape as they went, using all their senses to gather information to find food and, of utmost importance, to protect their people. They were highly trained and took their awareness to a deep level. We will learn from the animals how to move silently, and to blend in thus becoming invisible. We will learn how to tell from bird communication whether there is danger or safety. Martial arts will be explored. Of course, camp will include the favorites like swimming, games, stories by the fire and the awesome staff that make it all so fun. This camp is a full mind-body-heart experience. Space is limited!

Grovespring Farm Camp (Culpeper, VA)

Grovespring Farm Camp is a co-ed outdoor adventure camp in Culpeper, VA, featuring horseback riding, canoeing, hiking, fishing, arts and crafts, drama, orienteering and group games including Frisbee golf, sardines, soccer, etc. A highlight of the week is the campout on Thursday night for which campers prepare a campsite, cook over a fire, roast marshmallows, make s'mores, sing songs and tell stories (musical instruments welcome!). Each campout has a special activity such as skits or giving day and sometimes both. Please visit the Grovespring Farm website for registration information and more details about the camp.

Full Day Equestrian Camp -Session I
Intermediate to Advanced
Dates: June 20-June 24, 2011
Time: 9:00-3:00
Tuition: $400
Ages: 10-16

Full Day Adventure Camp-Session II
Dates: June 27 - July 1, 2011
Tuition: $435
Time: 8:30am-3:30pm
Ages: 8-12
Includes a Thursday Night Campout and Friday noon pick up.

Full Day Adventure Camp-Session III
Dates: July 4- July 8
Time: 8:30am -3:30pm
Tuition: $400
Ages: 6-11
Does not include Camp Out

Full Day Adventure Camp--Session IV
Dates: July 11- July 14, 2011
Time: 8:30am -3:30pm
Tuition: $435
Ages: 8-12
Includes a Thursday Night Campout and Friday noon pick up.

Full Day Equestrian Camp--Session V
Beginner to Novice Riders
Dates: July 18 - July 22, 2011
Time: 9am-3pm
Tuition: $400
Ages 6-15

Half Day Equestrian Camp --Session VI
Beginner to Novice
Dates: July 25 - July 29, 2011
Time: 9am-12noon
Tuition: $250
Ages 5-9