NatureBridge’s Forest Camp Completes Successful First Summer in Prince William Forest Park

Prince William Forest Park, VA — August 2, 2025 — NatureBridge, a national outdoor education nonprofit and the National Park Service’s largest education partner, is celebrating the successful launch of Forest Camp, a new summer day camp offered in partnership with Prince William Forest Park. This inaugural season welcomed more than 100 campers from across the region for hands-on outdoor science, exploration, and play.

Throughout the summer, campers splashed in creeks, identified macroinvertebrates, tested water quality, practiced shelter-building skills, and enjoyed endless games of “gaga ball.” Themed weeks such as Animal Adaptations, Junior Park Rangers, and Creek Week Scientists immersed campers in nature through activities such as building marshmallow animals, practicing orienteering, and creating their own science experiments. A highlight for many was fishing in the creek with homemade fishing rods, with multiple campers catching (and safely releasing) our fish friends.

Each Wednesday, campers heard from guest speakers who brought the camp themes to life:

• Blue Ridge Wildlife Rescue Center introduced campers to native Virginia wildlife including a striped skunk, opossum, black rat snake, and Eastern box turtle.
• Prince William Forest Park Rangers shared the history of the park, demonstrated the skills of a ranger, and displayed a beaver pelt.
• Prince William County Public Works guided campers in water and soil testing from the park’s own creeks.

One parent summed up the impact of the program:

“My son, who is very shy and always nervous in new groups, loved camp from day one. The counselors were incredibly kind and helpful. My kids came home every day so happy.”
Forest Camp not only fostered new skills but also nurtured confidence, curiosity, and friendships in the outdoors. 

Congressional support underscored Forest Camp’s impact. “As a Dad of two, I know that kids who spend time outdoors grow healthier, stronger, and more curious about the world around them. I’m proud to lead legislation to help kids put down their phones and reconnect with the world around them. Programs like NatureBridge are doing just that,” said Rep. Eugene Vindman (VA-7). “Earlier this summer, my team was glad to visit the only NatureBridge site on the East Coast—right here in Virginia’s Seventh District—where students are connecting with nature, building character, and engaging in hands-on science projects with local experts.”

Building on this year’s success, NatureBridge plans to expand and enhance the program for next summer to engage even more young people in outdoor learning and play.

Learn more about Forest Camp and sign up for updates about Summer 2026 registration.

About NatureBridge
Since 1971, NatureBridge has connected over 1.6 million students to the science and wonder of the natural world through hands-on environmental education programs in national parks. Our campuses are located in Yosemite National Park, Golden Gate National Recreation Area, Olympic National Park, and Prince William Forest Park. We bring more than 30,000 young people into our park classrooms each year, fostering environmental literacy, social and personal development, and stewardship.