GARRETT COUNTY, Md. — High school students from across Maryland spent a week this summer learning directly from natural resources professionals at the state’s 2026 Natural Resources Careers Camp (NRCC), held July 19–25 at the Hickory Environmental Education Center.
“The purpose of the camp is to give high school students an opportunity to explore careers in natural resources, with a focus on forestry,” said Camp Director Will Williams. “Students meet resource professionals who are eager to share their advice and experiences. Many of those presenters attended NRCC themselves as high school students.”
Over the week, campers worked through subjects including forest ecology and management, wildlife habitat, fisheries, water quality, tree identification, and the forest products industry, pairing field exercises and demonstrations with visits to working landscapes. Campers age 16 or older had the option to earn two college credits through Allegany College of Maryland by completing an exam at the end of the week.
“You get all these different connections, and the knowledge people give you is incredible,” said camper Harlee Yackanicz. “You’re also getting hands-on experiences. I knew what a sawmill did, but I had never seen one before, so seeing it helped me put the pieces together.”
The week built toward a forest-management project, in which teams of campers evaluated a forested property and developed recommendations weighing forest health, wildlife habitat, landowner goals, and other management priorities. Teams presented their plans to a panel of natural resources professionals — and their own parents — on the camp’s final day, July 25, when participants received completion certificates with their assigned groups.
Yackanicz encouraged other students, especially those unsure whether outdoor work is for them, to give the camp a shot. “Even if you don’t love being outside all the time, come try it out, because you never know until you try,” she said. “The connections you’ll make, the learning you’ll have, and the opportunities — it’s worth a try.”
Registration for the 2027 camp opens October 1 through the Maryland Forestry Foundation’s website. Maryland residents — including students in Charles, St. Mary’s, and Calvert counties — interested in forestry more broadly can also connect with their local Forestry Board to learn about classes, volunteer opportunities, and other activities in their community; Southern Maryland’s own Forest Conservancy District Boards operate in each of the three counties.
The camp is a partnership of the Maryland Forestry Foundation, Maryland Forestry Boards, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, Allegany College of Maryland, and other forestry and conservation organizations and professionals. Forestry Boards also help recruit, interview, mentor, and sponsor students from their home communities.
