About the Natural Resources Camp
What is the Natural Resources Camp?
The Natural Resources Camp (NRC) started as a one-week summer program for boys in 1960 and has continued yearly since then.
Now a co-ed camp, NRC participants spend a week at the Central Idaho 4-H Camp near beautiful Sun Valley, where they explore Idaho’s natural resources. Participants engage in fun, hands-on field experiences, such as measuring trees, catching bugs in the stream, finding hidden wildlife radio collars, testing different soils, and exploring rangeland plants and animals… all with the guidance of natural resources professionals. At the end of the week, campers have the opportunity to test their new knowledge on the Lewis and Clark Expedition, a race between teams to see who would succeed on the historic Corps of Discovery.
Besides learning about natural resources, campers also spend time enjoying the outdoors. Recreational activities include: fishing, hiking, basketball, volleyball, logger sports and crafts. There are also many group activities, such as swimming at Easley’s Hot Springs, campwide games and cabin competitions, and the Tournament of the Outdoors.
Nightly campfires offer fun songs and skits. Camp finishes on Saturday morning with an awards ceremony and time for campers and camp staff to interact with participant’s families and share the week’s excitement.
Lifelong friendships are made at the NRC. Many camp graduates have returned to the NRC as cabin leaders or camp staff and other camp alumni are sending their kids and grandkids to camp for this once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Our Partners:
- University of Idaho Extension
- University of Idaho College of Agricultural and Life Sciences
- Idaho Association of Soil Conservation Districts
- Idaho Department of Lands
- Idaho Rangeland Resources Commission
- Simplot
- Bureau of Land Management
- Natural Resource Conservation Service
- U.S. Forest Service
- Idaho Department of Fish and Game
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
