Open to K-12 students with patches available for scouts who participate. Categories include hand drawn posters, digital art, and new categories for braille and additional assist. The 2026 theme is "Soil. Where it all Begins".

In this competition, 5-member teams of high school students test their environmental science knowledge in aquatics, wildlife, forestry, soil science, and a special topic that changes each year.

There are currently THREE patches and related curriculum is available. Click on each link below to see the associated guides and requirements for earning each patch.

CSWCD offers free educational opportunities— lectures, field sessions, workshops, etc—to children and adults in our community. We look forward to working with you and helping you expand your conservation education!

The VASWCD Scout Patch Program is open to Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts to further their interest and education in conservation topics. Virginia Scouts can follow the instructions to earn a Soil Expert Patch and/or Living in Your Watershed Patch

Students from across Virginia attend this summer camp to learn about natural resources. NVSWCD offers financial aid to help students attend camp. Applications are now open, and due April 20th, 2026!

The VASWCD Educational Foundation scholarship program promotes the education of Virginia citizens in technical fields with a natural resource conservation and environmental protection emphasis. The program provides financial support to students majoring in or showing a strong desire to major in a course curriculum related to natural resource conservation and/or environmental studies.

The Virginia Department of Forestry, in cooperation with other natural resource conservation agencies and organizations, has proudly administered Camp Woods and Wildlife for more than 70 yearsCamp Woods and Wildlife is an academic, structured, residential camp that focuses on field experiences in forestry and other natural resources. This unique camping experience introduces 13-16-year-olds to the challenges, special skills, and knowledge needed for managing the forest resources we use and enjoy every day.