Forestry Camp for Middle School Students Offered in West Tennessee

NASHVILLE - The Tennessee Department of Agriculture Division of Forestry (TDF) is offering a free two-day forestry camp for middle school students in West Tennessee on April 1-2, 2026.

"One way to inspire young people to become the future caretakers of our state's forests is to provide immersive experiences to explore the world of forestry," State Forester Heather Slayton said. "Forestry camps are designed to spark interest in the trees, forests, water, wildlife and industry that are key to our lives but often taken for granted."

The camp includes visits to a working sawmill, a state forest, a timber harvest operation and a forest research site, giving students a firsthand look at Tennessee's ecosystems and forest industry.

Hands-on activities include exploring fire management using real tools and equipment, a stream study focused on water quality and aquatic invertebrates and a tree-planting exercise designed to teach students about types of forest regeneration.

The Wolf River Forestry Camp, led by TDF with the support of the Tennessee Forestry Association, will be held April 1-2 at Wolf River State Forest and Ames Plantation located at 4275 Buford Ellington Rd. in Grand Junction. There is no cost to attend and lunch is provided. Students from public, private and homeschool programs are welcome. School excuse notes are available upon request.

Download the application at Forestry Day Camp - West Tennessee and email completed forms to [email protected] by March 11. Contact Megan Carpenter at [email protected] with any questions.

TDF protects Tennessee's forests by fighting wildland fires, coordinating hazard emergency response, providing prescribed fire guidance, services and wildland fire training. Additionally, the division promotes the responsible use of forest resources by assisting landowners, providing quality seedlings, monitoring insects and diseases, improving urban forests, managing state forests, protecting water quality and collecting forest inventory data. TDF also promotes forest industries to stimulate the state's economy. Visit the Tennessee Division of Forestry webpage for more information.

PHOTO: image by Annelise Mucci, Tennessee Forestry Association, of forestry camp in Memphis