VOLUNTEER WITH US!
Camp Kum-Ba-Yah Nature Center runs on the generosity of those who volunteer to make this program successful.
Are you someone who genuinely loves to give back or facilitate the growth of young minds? If so, CKBY is the place for you! Our volunteers are the backbone of our ability to welcome school groups for field trips, ensure our facilities are up kept, conduct team building activities for businesses/organizations and so much more. We have volunteer needs year round: indoor and outdoor work, garden help, trail clearing, social media, marketing and database management and much more. We could use a hand anywhere you are willing to help so come join our amazing volunteer team!
Come out, take a tour, and talk with us about volunteering opportunities we have currently or coming up soon. Please feel free to give us a call or email to set up a time that is convenient for you.
Volunteer: call (434-384-5732) or email (programs@ckby.org)
There are so many ways you can help!
Serve with Children!
Volunteer Educators
Whether you are in college, retired, a stay at home parent or anyone in between, if you love educating children anywhere from 3-18 years old, our volunteer educator opportunity would be a great fit for you! We cater mainly to community children aged Pre-K through Upper Elementary and on occasion middle and high school students. Schools from Lynchburg City, Campbell County, Bedford County, Amherst County and more love bringing their students to CKBY for field trips.
Fall Field Trip Season is from September - November
Spring Field Trip Season is from January - May
Time Commitment
Programs are generally half of a day (9am-12pm or 10am-1pm) where you get to interact with teachers, students, parents, and other educators. Students run through four stations roughly 20-25 minutes long and are age specific. Prior to the arrival of school groups, the stations and materials are set up by our staff members to ensure you feel confident and prepared to welcome and teach the students. Volunteering for trips is based on availability, there is no minimum or maximum commitment. We do ask that you can stay for the entire duration of the field trip for the day.
Educating Process
Each of our volunteer educators receive training prior to conducting field trip stations
Shadow a seasoned volunteer educator during a field trip
“Graduate” to conducting a station on your own!
**Anyone who desires to work with children at Camp Kum-Ba-Yah Nature Center is required to have a background check on record at camp
Serve Outside!
Volunteering at camp means working outside during the most beautiful times of year! There are opportunities for individuals & groups to do trail maintenance and grounds work, garden management, garden education programs, and Boyscout Eagle Scout projects. With a small staff any and all volunteers make a huge difference. Thank you to all past present and future volunteers!
47 acres of campgrounds
Quarter Acre Garden, Sensory Garden, and Pollinator Garden
General Grounds and Maintenance work
Service and Eagle Scout Projects
Become a KinderWoods Keeper
A self-preserving volunteer group responsible for the upkeep and preservartion of the KinderWoods play area and camp as a whole, the group aims at bringing the community together through a shared interest in service and love for CKBY! Since KinderWoods is one of our most loved and used spaces, our Keepers play an important role in direct service (mulching, weeding, and mud kitchen maintenance) of the play area along with contributing input regarding play elements, signage, and promotion of the area.
Benefits: Although there are innumerable benefits to serving with us in the camp environment, we also offer discounts through our Keepers of the Woods Membership on facility rentals and summer camp. Discount level depends on level of service and is not guaranteed.
Serve Creatively!
Are you an expert in your field, or bursting with creative talent and energy? There are also opportunities to advice and collaborate on programmatic material at camp. We are constantly evaluating our educational objectives, programs, and physical space. Come contribute to the future of Camp Kum-Ba-Yah Nature Center!
Donate your expertise!
Environmental Education For Field Trips
Summer Program Development and Enhancement
Serve an Organization!
Is working outside not your thing, but organization is? There are opportunities to learn about the inner workings of a small non-profit for those interested and qualified.
Communication & Marketing
Fundraising & Grant Research
Community Event Planning
Volunteer Testimonials
“My favorite thing about volunteering at CKBY is helping with the field trips. This year the most meaningful moments were working with High School students from Fort Hill Alternative Education Center. Many of these students had never hiked, cooked over a fire, or done anything like the zip line before. They have faced so many obstacles in their journey and it was amazing to see their self confidence and trust in their peers and the adults leading them grow as they challenged themselves to try new things. In a time where American youth are experiencing high rates of nature deficit, I treasure the opportunity to be apart of CKBY’s efforts to combat that with hands on experiences in the outdoors. ”
“Camp Kum-Ba-Yah is a preserve for all age groups of our larger community! Families, school classes, and neighbors have access to the natural habitat, thanks to the foresight of the Cosby family, community, and church leaders who have protected the land. As a volunteer, I am learning about the animals, plants, and waters of CKBY alongside the students. It is impressive what our children have learned in their classrooms and can recognize when they visit CKBY.”
“The moment the children arrive at Camp Kum-Ba-Yah and I hear their squeals of excitement and see their smiles, I am hooked! Camp Kum-Ba-Yah has allowed me the opportunity to utilize my teaching skills while sharing the wonders of nature. My heart is always full of special memories when I leave.”
“I enjoy being outdoors in nature and sharing my love of nature with students from area schools. Often it is the first time visiting CKBY and it is so fun to see them enjoy this beautiful place within our city. An extra bonus is educating the parents and chaperones on the importance of conservation.”
“We educators can’t help but feel this joy when with the students. Also as an “older person” it is so uplifting in the Arts and Crafts shed to watch the creativity of the kids unfold. They create such beautiful pieces and often think outside the box.”