Green beginnings: Youth forestry camp
Hands-on forestry skills, knowledge and experiences for the next generation.
Grow your connection to the forest. Join us at a 5-day Youth Forestry Camp, packed with hands-on learning, outdoor adventure and career exploration. Participants will learn essential forest safety and survival skills, explore biodiversity and wildlife habitat, see the forest industry in action and gain unique insights into Indigenous knowledge and cultural connections to the land. Each day features interactive activities and field trips, designed to build skills, spark curiosity and inspire future forest leaders.
Register here.
What participants will learn each day
Day 1: Forest safety, navigation and simulators
Learn how to plan a safe forest trip, pack essential gear and navigate with confidence. Explore tree and plant ID apps, then head outside for hands-on practice. Try your hand at operating forestry equipment on realistic machine simulators.
Focus: Safety, navigation, biodiversity basics, forestry technology.
Day 2: Wildfire protection and wildlife habitat
Meet wildfire and forest health experts to learn about insects, fire safety and emergency response. Visit Shubenacadie Wildlife Park to explore wildlife habitat needs, species at risk, and key biodiversity features like wetlands, snags and coarse woody debris.
Focus: Forest protection, biodiversity, wildlife habitat.
Day 3: Indigenous knowledge and cultural forest use
Visit Mi’kmawey Debert Cultural Centre for stories and teachings on Indigenous Forest connections. Walk the interpretive trail to learn about traditional forest use, non-timber forest products, and cultural values. Reflect on Indigenous knowledge and western forestry practices through Two-Eyed Seeing.
Focus: Indigenous knowledge, cultural values, forest use.
Day 4: Forestry in action: Harvesting and mill tour Get an inside look at modern forestry with visits to an active harvest site and Sproule Lumber. Learn about sustainable harvesting, forest management practices and how trees become products we use every day.
Focus: Forest industry operations, sustainable harvesting, forest products.
Day 5: Applied skills, tree planting & wrap-up
Review forest safety and navigation, then head outdoors for hands-on activities. Learn how to identify good crop trees and wildlife trees. Wrap up the week with tree planting and a practical demo of forestry tools and techniques.
Focus: Safety review, applied skills, forest stewardship, hands-on experience.
| Date: | July 14–18, 2025 |
| Time: | 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM |
| Ages: | 12–16 |
| Location: | NSCC Truro Campus and Surrounding Area |
| Cost: | $50 per participant |