How Camp Woodend Builds Confident, Nature-Connected Youth
Feeling accomplished.
That’s how first-time Camp Woodend backpackers often describe their experience.
“I was so proud of them,” says Nature Forward Youth Programs Director Brenna Houck, referring to last year’s backpacking group. “They braved the heat and came out on the other side after nearly ten miles over three days.”
The 7th-, 8th-, and 9th-grade campers learned to carry their own gear, plan and pack supplies, and support one another during their journey from Washington Monument State Park to Harpers Ferry.
The Power of Outdoor Experience
That sense of growth reflects something Nature Forward staff know well: time spent outdoors delivers profound benefits for young people. Research shows that children who regularly engage with nature experience reduced stress and anxiety, improved focus and creativity, and stronger problem-solving skills. Physical activity in natural settings builds healthy habits while hands-on environmental learning develops scientific thinking and ecological literacy.
Perhaps most importantly, youth who spend time in nature develop a lasting connection to the environment—the foundation for future environmental stewardship. In an increasingly digital age, outdoor experiences help children build resilience, self-confidence, and an appreciation for the natural world they’ll inherit.
Nature Forward Youth Programs Naturalist Jack Thibault first visited Woodend Nature Sanctuary as a camper. Today, Jack is a camp leader, who understands the transformative benefits of nature firsthand.
“Camp gave me the skills to feel comfortable backpacking with my friends as I got older,” Jack says. “But those skills also apply to my whole life—planning ahead, commitment, independence, and a love of challenge.”
This year’s Mountain Outpost camp session will give teens the opportunity to explore western Maryland while building wilderness skills and learning about mountain ecology. Other offerings allow older students to earn Student Service Learning (SSL) hours while contributing to conservation projects.
Nature Immersion for Every Age
Younger campers spend their summer fully immersed in nature at Woodend, which borders Rock Creek Park. Visit the camp and you’ll find children building bug hotels, exploring creek habitats, and investigating forest ecosystems. In Eco Explorers and El Mundo de Pájaros—camps designed for 1st and 2nd graders—children learn English and Spanish vocabulary while participating in hands-on environmental projects.
Parents say the Camp Woodend experience creates enthusiastic nature lovers. One family reported their camper enjoyed making leaf impressions and exploring the garden, while another said their elementary students couldn’t get enough of the Nature Play Space, where children can climb inside a giant wood thrush bird sculpture.
“There is something for everyone at Camp Woodend,” Brenna says. “Our camps combine high-quality environmental science education with good old-fashioned camp fun.”
All camps are taught by experienced environmental educators, maintaining a child-teacher ratio of 8:1. Activities range from searching for animal tracks to cooking food harvested from the Children’s Garden to visiting the National Zoo.
Join the Camp Woodend Community
Brenna encourages parents to review the 2026 Camp Woodend Camp Catalog ahead of registration opening on January 22 at 10:00 am. Families can also meet Camp Woodend staff at the Summer Camp Fair at Piney Branch Elementary School on Tuesday, February 3.
Additional camp opportunities are available throughout the year, including school-year camps, a Winter Mini Camp in February, and a Spring Break Camp in late March.
By investing in outdoor education, parents give their children more than just a summer activity—they provide experiences that build environmental awareness, foster personal growth, and create lifelong memories of discovery and adventure in nature.
For more information and to view the camp catalog, visit https://natureforward.org/camp-woodend/
