The Central Piedmont Virginia Master Naturalists have partnered with Cumberland County’s 4-H program, and developed the very popular Wildlife Detective day camp.

Based at beautiful Bear Creek Lake State Park, the week-long day camp for 9- to 13-year-olds is jam packed with educational experiences related to central Virginia’s animals and plants. This year, campers spent their days exploring reptiles, amphibians, mammals, insects, fish ecology, macroinvertebrates, local forests, canoeing and primitive technology.

Camp organizers said it was a wonderful opportunity for children to get up close and personal with some fascinating critters, make new friends with similar interests, and get outside and connect with nature.