2023 BRDC Summer Camps
Sign your young nature-lover up for one of our overnight summer camps!
BRDC Overnight Summer Camp registrations are still open! Camps we are offering this year are Wilderness Expedition, Discovery camp and two sessions of our New River Expedition. These camps are perfect for any young naturalist who enjoys learning about nature through outdoor adventures. Click on the links below to learn a little more about each camp. These camps are filling up quickly, so sign up to secure your spot today!
2023 Summer Camp Sign Ups are Still Open
Youth ages 6-17 will benefit from Blue Ridge Discover Center’s unique approach to summertime experiences.
Youth ages 6-17 will benefit from Blue Ridge Discover Center’s unique approach to summertime experiences. Our summer programs and adventures introduces the most novice naturalist to nature and promotes natural curiosity and self-discovery in meaningful, fun-filled activities. We have something for everyone -- kayaking and backpacking, fly fishing, survival skills, science experiments, and much more!
Summer camps include overnight camps: New River Expedition, Wilderness Expedition, Discovery Camp; and Nature Day Camps.
Nature Day camp, ages 6-10 is held at the Blue Ridge Discovery Center campus. Camp activities include catching bugs & butterflies, collecting and pressing plants and flowers, snorkeling in the creek, observing wildlife, citizen science projects, and art through journaling! This camp is offered June 26-30 and July 10-14.
New River Expedition, an overnight kayaking-adventure camp for children ages 11-17. is offered July 5-8 and July 19-22. Activities include kayaking the New River, building campfires (learn traditional fire building techniques), Bald Eagle nest search, island exploration, hammocking, geology, swimming, snorkeling, fly fishing, games, and night-time explorations!
Wilderness Expedition, a 5 day, 4 night camp for ages 11-17 is an introduction backpacking skills in the wilderness areas of Mount Rogers National Recreation Area. Date is July 24-28. Activities include day hikes, backpacking (1 night outside of base camp), birding, astronomy, owl prowl, mountain ecology, orienteering and journaling.
Discovery Camp is an adventure-packed, 4-day/3-night experience catering to ages 11-17 with an interest in everything nature. Campers explore the many natural wonders of the Blue Ridge through outdoor recreational activities including fly fishing, kayaking, hiking and exploration. Explore Virginia's highest peaks to mountain streams on this overnight camp from August 2-5.
Sign up for a camp today. Direct links below:
Sign up for 2023 Summer Camp today!
We are excited to announce that registrations for the 2023 Summer Programs and Overnight Adventures are now OPEN to the public!
We are excited to announce that registrations for the 2023 Summer Programs and Overnight Adventures are now OPEN to the public!
BRDC offers a unique variety of summertime experiences suitable for youth ages 6-17 (please see individual Camp webpages for details). We feel confident that we have something for everyone -- kayaking and backpacking, fly fishing, survival skills, science experiments, and everything in between! We welcome novice and experienced naturalists who are interested in old-fashioned fun, learning about nature, and developing a sense of connection to this beautiful place that we call home. See the list of camps that will be offered next summer below. Please follow this link if you would like to be taken directly to the Summer Camps overview webpage, where you will be able to select the camp you’re interested in and Sign-Up. If you would like some additional information for each camp, check out each of their pages:
Discovery Camp
While camping along Fox Creek in Grayson County, campers were immersed into the wonders of the Blue Ridge.
While camping along Fox Creek in Grayson County, campers were immersed into the wonders of the Blue Ridge. The week-long Discovery Camp included activities such as snorkeling Fox Creek, photography, catching butterflies, birding, primitive technology, and local geology. The campers gained skills to become naturalists while experiencing the ecological wonders of the Blue Ridge.
Six local children attend the camp through The Rudolph and Louise Tilson Scholarship Fund. which was generously provided by The Friends of Mount Rogers in support of youth exploration of the Mount Rogers area.
The Friends of Mount Rogers is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the appreciation and enjoyment of the Mount Rogers National Recreation Area by supporting it and its heritage through education, cooperation, financial assistance, and volunteer service. For more information, visit: www.friendsofmountrogers.org
