Our Mission
Camp Kum-Ba-Yah Inc. is a private, non-profit organization dedicated to provide lasting quality outdoor camping experiences to children of the Lynchburg community, ages 5-13. The New Leadership Program is a Counselor-in-Training program for participants ages 14-15
The Unit Leader and the Associate Unit Leader work together as a team, in a spirit of cooperation, and open communication. They build on each other’s strengths and support each other in skill areas that they may be less than perfectly developed. The idea is to build the camper group into a family style unit.
History
Over half a century ago, a small group of war-weary soldiers returned to Lynchburg at the end of World War II. Seeing massive construction projects springing up throughout what is today the Boonsboro area of Lynchburg, they asked a simple question: Where would the children play?
Pulling their meager resources together, they managed to purchase about four acres for the construction of a ballpark, setting the stage for the creation of Camp Kum-Ba-Yah. Today, after more than 50 years and a tremendous amount of effort, care, money, and, above all, deep commitment and love by a large number of people, the Camp is a beautiful 40-acre wooded area that features a gorgeous lake, hiking trails, twelve campsites, a crafts pavilion, swimming pools, and a ropes and challenge course.
Operation
From its inception, Camp Kum-Ba-Yah was committed to providing a wholesome camping experience for the children of Lynchburg. Fifty percent of our children attend with full or partial “campership” assistance provided by the Camp. As a result, a good deal of our time and energy is devoted to the task of fundraising from individuals, congregations, businesses, and other civic-minded entities. For its operations, the Camp relies on both paid and volunteer staff and services.