Natural Resources Career Camp 2026

Get Outside and Learn!

High school students: Are you, or someone you know, considering a career in a natural resource occupation? If so, you should consider applying for the Natural Resources Career Camp (NRCC). Held each July at Camp Hickory in Accident, MD, NRCC is designed to provide real world experience to students interested in natural resource careers like Forestry, Wildlife Management, Fisheries, Forest Ecology, Parks and Recreation, Soil and Water Conservation, Tree Care and Urban Forestry, among others.  

Throughout the week of camp, students receive hands-on training in numerous disciplines. Using the tools and knowledge they acquire, they prepare a stewardship plan for a given tract of land, and present that plan at an open forum at the end of the week. On College Night, representatives from universities and colleges offering Natural Resources curricula meet with the students to showcase their institutions.   

Last year three students from Frederick County attended NRCC, attended by members of the Frederick County Forestry Board.  Some of their comments about the experience follow:

”The NRCC…helped me to understand the vastness of the Department of Natural Resources, and the wide array of jobs they offer. We learned something new every day, and the camp provided me with a much stronger sense of the specific career path I want to take in the future…you gain an incredible amount of knowledge about outdoor career paths.”  Student from Jefferson

”My week at the NRCC was so much fun. I learned so much about natural resources. I couldn’t be more thankful that I got this experience. I met amazing people from all over the state and learned a lot about the trees and wildlife in Maryland…. During the week we collected our own data and created management plans for a landowner…and we created PowerPoints to have parents come watch us present at the end of the week. I couldn’t be more excited to pursue an education and career in natural resources. The NRCC is such an amazing opportunity and so much fun!”  Student from Thurmont

”My experience at the NRCC was one of great fun, enthusiasm, and education. It was definitely an eye-opener to the different careers that are available to me in the field of Natural Resources. I had the privilege of being in a group with wonderful teenagers who all worked well together as well as an outstanding counselor who was very knowledgeable about the topics that were being discussed during the lectures….Overall, my week was exciting, and I enjoyed making new friends and being educated about the world of outdoors. I would highly recommend a teenager who is interested in a natural resources career to come to this camp.”  Student from Wolfsville

To be eligible for this valuable learning experience, you must be enrolled in high school in 2026. Students must submit a completed application and be interviewed by the Frederick County Forestry Board, which helps ensure that focused, motivated individuals attend the camp. The Forestry Board will cover tuition for successful applicants.  Online applications are available on the Forestry Board website: https://frederick.forestryboard.org/programs/natural-resources-career-camp.

Article By Mike Kay, FCFCDB member

Nature Note for 4/30/2026