- Claytor Nature Study Center Camps (Elementary and Middle School)
- Health Sciences Camp for High School Students
- Debate & Forensics Camp
- Hands-on History Camp at Historic Sandusky
- Outdoor Leadership Program Camp
- Sports Camps
Claytor Nature Study Center Camps
The nature books come alive in these comprehensive 5-day summer day-camps for rising first through eighth graders. Camps take full advantage of the property’s spectacular location at the base of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Campers have plenty of fun while learning about the diversity of plants and animals in the center’s woodlands, grasslands, freshwater streams, and beautiful stretch of the Big Otter River. Free play, supervised hikes and river splashing also help introduce campers to the wonders and beauty of nature in Virginia. And when shelter and shade are called for, the onsite education building and pavilion provide additional spaces for activities designed to entertain young minds. As one camper put it, this is an “awesome opportunity!”
Elementary Camps for 5 to 12 years old
Our camps for elementary-aged children explore outdoor learning in an engaging and playful way. This year, a number of our outdoor-loving staff are artistically trained. Our exploration sessions throughout the week will feature both Art In Nature sessions and Art From Nature sessions, wherein your child’s physical energy and creative expression will be released and fostered. Children will get a mixture of nature-based science and art topics as they hunt for and identify plants and animals, explore a variety of different types of habitats, and digest their experiences in imaginative ways.
Session 1: June 11 – 15
- Sprout Camp (grades 1-3 or ages 6-9); theme: plants
- Cub Camp (grades 4-6 or ages 9-12); theme: animals
Session 2: June 18 – 22
- Sprout Camp (grades 1-3 or ages 6-9); theme: animals
- Cub Camp (grades 4-6 or ages 9-12); theme: plants
Session 3: June 25 – 29
- Sprout Camp (grades 1-3 or ages 6-9); theme: plants
- Cub Camp (grades 4-6 or ages 9-12); theme: animals
Session 4: July 2 – 6
- Sprout Camp (grades 1-3 or ages 6-9); theme: animals
- Cub Camp (grades 4-6 or ages 9-12); theme: plants
Summer camp hours: 9 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. daily
Drop off and pickup at the following locations and times:
- CNSC pavilion: 9 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.
- *University of Lynchburg, Wake Field House: 8:15 a.m. and 4 p.m.
*Daily shuttles are available from LC campus for an extra fee.
Fees: Camps are $225 per week per child. Register by April 15 for the early bird rate of $200 per week per child.
Multi-child and multi-week discounts available. Payment plans are available. Apply early to ensure your child’s reservation!
Middle School Academic Enrichment Camps for rising 6th-8th graders
Want to get your pre-teen or teen outdoors for a few days? Our nature camps for middle school ages are outdoor enrichment camps that will take your kids on investigative and creative adventures while releasing some of their pent-up energies.
MS Camp Session 1: June 18 – 22
“Observe, Create, and Navigate!” will feature a nature-based science-art class and a hiking-heavy navigational class. During their morning class, while trekking over the trails, campers will document their observations, as well as retrieve specimens for closer viewing using scientific tools. They will use natural materials to recreate the beautiful art that is not often appreciated in nature. In their navigational class, kids will investigate the grounds, flora, and fauna, through a series of nature-based objectives. Your kids will be so busy exploring and creating that they won’t even realize they’re practicing critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Being bored won’t be an option in this camp!
MS Camp Session 2: June 25 – 29
“Observe, Create, and Consume!” will feature a nature-based science-art class and a plant foraging class. During their morning class, while trekking over the trails, campers will document their observations, as well as retrieve specimens for closer viewing using scientific tools. They will use natural materials to recreate the beautiful art that is not often appreciated in nature. In their foraging class, campers learn about foraging for wild plants (and yes, this involves eating!), what it takes to make a healthy plant, and steps we can take to keep our plants edible.
Summer camps hours: 9 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. daily
Drop off and pickup at the following locations and times:
- CNSC pavilion: 9 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.
- *University of Lynchburg, Wake Field House: 8:15 a.m. and 4 p.m.
*Daily shuttles are available from LC campus for an extra fee.
Fees: Camps are $235 per week per child. Register by April 15 for the early bird rate of $210 per week per child.
Multi-child and multi-week discounts available. Payment plans are available. Apply early to ensure your child’s reservation!
Hiring for Summer Camps at Claytor
Interested in employment, internship credits, or a new training experience? We are hiring lead camp counselors, counselors-in-training, and teachers for our summer camps that run June 11 – July 13. Contact Education Coordinator and Camp Director, Danielle Racke, at or at 540-587-4061.
Donate Scholarship Funds for a Child to Attend Summer Camp at Claytor
Each year we are able to welcome financially needy children to our summer camps, thanks to generous donations from private individuals and local non-profits like the Bedford Outdoor Sportsman Association. If you would like to donate scholarship money, please contact Education Coordinator and Camp Director, Danielle Racke, at or at 540-587-4061.
Health Sciences Camp for High School Students
July 16-20, 2018
July 30-August 3, 2018
Mon.-Fri., 9:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
The purpose of this intensive summer camp is to initiate and/or enhance high school students’ exposure to anatomy and physiology including the application of this information in a variety of fields in the health sciences. Students will have dissection opportunities, receive instruction in the Hobbs-Sigler Science Center cadaver lab, and engage in physiology software to apply concepts to research-based, hands-on activities. Students will receive tours and information on University of Lynchburg’s health sciences facilities and undergraduate programs. Daily guest speakers will include University of Lynchburg faculty as well as local health care professionals practicing in a variety of fields.
Instructor for the camp is Wendy Williamson, PT, DPT, Assistant Professor at University of Lynchburg.
Cost for the non-residential program is $250. Scholarship opportunities are available; please inquire for additional information.
Registration deadlines: July 2 for week of July 16-20 and July 16 for week of July 30 – August 3.
Enrollment limit is 12 students per week.
Students must have completed at least their 9th grade year in high school in order to participate.
Contact
Wendy (Kathryn) Williamson
434.544.7909 (office)
434.610.0075 (cell)
Debate and Forensics Summer Camp
June 4-8, 2018
9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
University of Lynchburg’s Debate and Forensics Club invites all local middle and high school students to attend Debate and Forensics Summer Camp.
Spend five days with us, and you will:
- Hone your public speaking and analytical skills with certified instruction and coaching.
- Learn presentation and critical skills that will help you to become a more outspoken and confident student in the classroom.
- Enjoy working with our award-winning collegiate team.
- Acquire debate and forensics fundamentals including instruction and the development of persuasive, informative, declamation, single and duo interpretive, prose, poetry, after-dinner, impromptu, extemporaneous, and parliamentary debate speaking.
Best of all — leave with a tournament-ready piece to use in the fall!
Cost $250.
For more information, contact Dr. Paula Youra, professor of communication studies and LC debate and forensics coach, at 434.544.8178 or .
Hands-on History Camp at Historic Sandusky
June 25 – 29, 2018
Monday-Friday
8 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Rising 5th and 6th graders
Cost: $125 per child
Historic Sandusky is offering an immersive, hands-on summer camp that will teach students about history, archaeology, and architecture. Students will participate in interactive activities such as scavenger hunts, an archaeological dig, telegraphy, tree identification, crafting, and more.
Contact: Greg Starbuck, 434.832.0162 or
Outdoor Leadership Program Camp
Dates TBD
8 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. each day
Age and enrollment limit: High school students, 6 to 12 participants
University of Lynchburg’s Outdoor Leadership Program invites all local high school students to come spend 5 days outdoors rock climbing, caving, backpacking, canoeing, kayaking, and zip-lining while learning about team-building, leadership development, and the outdoor environments we’ll be exploring!
Tentative Schedule
- Monday: Challenge Course (LC low and high ropes)
- Tuesday: Canoeing/kayaking (Glasgow to Snowden – James River, Balcony Falls*)
- Wednesday: Rock climbing (Goshen Pass – Chamber’s Ridge)
- Thursday: Caving (Blacksburg – New River Cave)
- Friday – Backpacking (Petite’s Gap to Snowden – 10.3 miles); camping overnight at Claytor (Bedford)
- Saturday – Departure
*Depending on pre-existing experience of group and water levels.
Cost $175: Covers all gear, transportation, and meals.
For more information, contact Peter Berry, coordinator of Outdoor Adventure and Leadership Development Programs, at 434.544.8224 or .
Sports Camps
Register at http://www.lynchburgsports.com/
