About
Nature Camp is a private, non-profit, residential, co-ed summer camp that offers an educational and recreational program specializing in natural history and environmental science education. Campers take part in conservation practices, evening learning and special events, hikes to Table Rock, salamander searches at Buttermilk Springs, and Sunday hikes to undiscovered mountain peaks. Each session is described as a two-week experience.
• Ages: 10–18 years old
• Schedule: Two-week sessions
Nature Camp began at Sherando Lake in Augusta County, with the inaugural session opening on 20 July 1942, and it reopened in 1953 with three sessions before expanding to its current format of four sessions the following year. It is described as one of the oldest camps of its kind in the country and now operates in conjunction with the Nature Camp Foundation, with continued financial support and camper scholarships from the Virginia Federation of Garden Clubs through its member clubs and districts. Nature Camp offers gender-inclusive housing on a limited basis in addition to traditional, same-gender housing in two large bunkhouses each session and occasionally makes its facilities available for rental by individuals and groups for weddings and other events. The Nature Camp Roll of Honor, established in 2003, recognizes persons who have made extraordinary, non-monetary contributions to Nature Camp.
The mission of Nature Camp is to train interested, knowledgeable youth from 5th through 12th grade to conserve and protect the environment and to become wise stewards of the earth’s natural resources. Current director Philip “Flip” Coulling serves as Executive Director and is a member of the American Camp Association, the Association of Nature Center Administrators, the North American Association for Environmental Education, the Virginia Association for Environmental Education, and the Alliance for Camp Health. The leadership team also includes Corey Basham (President), Ben Rottenborn (Vice-President), Claire Still (Secretary), Carolyn Wine (Treasurer), Brent Warner (Director of Education), Justin Yonker (Director of Facilities), Cate Coughter (Director of Financial Aid), and Payton Palmerton (Director of Publicity/Promotion) on the Nature Camp Board of Directors.
Testimonials from campers, parents, and alumni describe experiences such as hikes to Table Rock, salamander searches at Buttermilk Springs, the view from Lookout Rock, Sunday hikes to undiscovered mountain peaks, immersion learning, and connections between academic learning at Nature Camp and school and home life. Campers and families also describe long-term attendance, strong personal connections to Nature Camp, and a focus on learning about nature, including topics like mushrooms and rocks such as quartzite and limestone.
Last updated January 20, 2026.
• Ages: 10–18 years old
• Schedule: Two-week sessions
Nature Camp began at Sherando Lake in Augusta County, with the inaugural session opening on 20 July 1942, and it reopened in 1953 with three sessions before expanding to its current format of four sessions the following year. It is described as one of the oldest camps of its kind in the country and now operates in conjunction with the Nature Camp Foundation, with continued financial support and camper scholarships from the Virginia Federation of Garden Clubs through its member clubs and districts. Nature Camp offers gender-inclusive housing on a limited basis in addition to traditional, same-gender housing in two large bunkhouses each session and occasionally makes its facilities available for rental by individuals and groups for weddings and other events. The Nature Camp Roll of Honor, established in 2003, recognizes persons who have made extraordinary, non-monetary contributions to Nature Camp.
The mission of Nature Camp is to train interested, knowledgeable youth from 5th through 12th grade to conserve and protect the environment and to become wise stewards of the earth’s natural resources. Current director Philip “Flip” Coulling serves as Executive Director and is a member of the American Camp Association, the Association of Nature Center Administrators, the North American Association for Environmental Education, the Virginia Association for Environmental Education, and the Alliance for Camp Health. The leadership team also includes Corey Basham (President), Ben Rottenborn (Vice-President), Claire Still (Secretary), Carolyn Wine (Treasurer), Brent Warner (Director of Education), Justin Yonker (Director of Facilities), Cate Coughter (Director of Financial Aid), and Payton Palmerton (Director of Publicity/Promotion) on the Nature Camp Board of Directors.
Testimonials from campers, parents, and alumni describe experiences such as hikes to Table Rock, salamander searches at Buttermilk Springs, the view from Lookout Rock, Sunday hikes to undiscovered mountain peaks, immersion learning, and connections between academic learning at Nature Camp and school and home life. Campers and families also describe long-term attendance, strong personal connections to Nature Camp, and a focus on learning about nature, including topics like mushrooms and rocks such as quartzite and limestone.
Last updated January 20, 2026.
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