Youth Opportunities

There are so many exciting opportunities available to students in the Colonial District. Have a look below to learn more about Youth Conservation Camp, Camp Woods and Wildlife, the student scholarships we have available, and the NACD Poster Contest.

	Youth Conservation Camp Deadline to apply:     April 5, 2025 Dates:                          July 13-19th, 2025 Location:                     Virginia Tech Learn more:                https://www.colonialswcd.org/youth-conservation-camp Eligibility:                     Virginia high school students (currently enrolled in grades 9th-12th) Cost:                            $550✩ registration fee ✩ The Colonial Soil and Water Conservation District provides a limited amount of full scholarships for students in our District (Charles City, New Kent, James City, and York counties, and the city of Williamsburg) to attend YCC each year. Applicants are encouraged to apply early! Space is limited and camp scholarships are only available in a limited quantity.
	Camp Woods and Wildlife Deadline to apply:     April 11, 2025 Dates:                          June 16 – 20, 2025 Location:                     Holiday Lake 4-H Education Center near Appomattox, VA Learn more:                https://www.colonialswcd.org/woods-and-wildlife-camp Eligibility:                     Between the ages of 13 and 16 Cost:                            $95* registration fee *All students selected to attend Camp are awarded a $300 scholarship and pay a nominal $95 registration fee to confirm their attendance and acceptance of the scholarship; thanks to generous donations. Camp 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.
	Student Scholarships - Four $2000 scholarships   Deadline to apply:      April 12, 2025 Learn more:                https://www.colonialswcd.org/student-scholarships Eligibility:                     You must be a Virginia resident, a full-time student enrolled in (or who has applied to) a college freshman level curriculum, and have a class ranking in the top 20% of your graduating class or a 3.0 or greater Grade Point Average or appropriate equivalent. You must also demonstrate an active interest in conservation.
	NACD Poster Contest Deadline to submit:   September 14, 2025 Learn more:                https://www.colonialswcd.org/nacd-poster-contest Eligibility:                     Kindergarten through 12th grade The NACD Poster Contest provides students the opportunity to have their art displayed nationally. Winning posters reflect the annual NACD Stewardship theme and highlight the work of conservation districts and their associations in protecting and enhancing natural resources. The contest starts locally, advances to state levels, then national. National winners receive recognition at NACD’s annual meeting.