The Ripple of Inclusion: Remembering the Past, Inspiring the Future

This summer, Camp Kum‑Ba‑Yah Nature Center celebrated a remarkable convergence of milestones: 65 years since the integration of the Camp Kum‑Ba‑Yah pools, 75 summers of camp, and 100 years since the birth of our founder, Rev. Bev Cosby. To honor these anniversaries, friends of camp gathered on August 29 at the Academy Center of the Arts for The Ripple of Inclusion, an afternoon of storytelling, reflection, and community.

At the heart of the event was the award‑winning student documentary, From One Pool to a Revolution: Camp Kum‑Ba‑Yah and the Ripple of Inclusion, created by longtime campers and Linkhorne Middle School students Sydney Huffman and Adalyn Sheaffer. Their film explores the story of the integration of the Camp Kum‑Ba‑Yah pools in the summer of 1961 and the lasting impact of that courageous decision on our camp and our community. The documentary earned top honors through Virginia History Day and was later selected from nearly 300 documentaries for a special showcase in the Oprah Winfrey Theater at the National Museum of African American History and Culture.

The afternoon brought together former campers, counselors, staff members, educators, civic leaders, students, and camp friends from across generations. Guests heard reflections from Randy Nelson, who was just ten years old when he witnessed the integration of the camp pools, and from Carl Hutcherson, Jr., who helped place the events of 1961 within the broader Civil Rights history of Lynchburg. The program also featured a proclamation from Larry Taylor, recognizing the day as Ripple of Inclusion Day in the City of Lynchburg.

As we reflected on the courage of Rev. Bev Cosby and the community members who helped shape this chapter of camp history, we were reminded that the story of inclusion is not simply a story of the past. Each generation is called to create places where children feel welcome, valued, and free to belong. The work of Sydney Huffman and Adalyn Sheaffer demonstrates the power of young people to preserve important stories and carry them forward for the benefit of future generations.

We are deeply grateful to the many individuals and organizations who made this event possible, including our presenting sponsor, the Lynchburg City Schools Education Foundation, as well as the speakers, volunteers, families, and friends who joined us in celebrating this important chapter of our shared history.

Watch the Documentary

We are honored to share From One Pool to a Revolution: Camp Kum‑Ba‑Yah and the Ripple of Inclusion so that this important story may continue reaching new audiences.

Watch the film on YouTube:
https://youtu.be/5b-qd1K2VjI