Board of Directors and Staff

Board of Directors 

Bill Bodine: Board President

Melissa Busse: Board Secretary

Emily Crowder

Suzanna Davies: Board Vice President

Patrick Haley

Laura Hamilton

William (Billy) Harris

Emily Joseph

Vivian Miller

Randy Nelson

David Perault

CeCe Potekhen

L. Vincent Sawyer, Jr.

David Sheaffer

Kerry Silva: Board Treasurer

Sarah Sojka

Drake Watts

Phebe Wescott: Past Board Chair

Executive Director

Amy Bonnette

Amy became the Executive Director of Camp Kum-Ba-Yah Nature Center in 2021.

“Amy has been a dedicated volunteer at Camp Kum-Ba-Yah. She started working as our Operations Manager in September 2020, immediately bringing value with her organizational skills, strategic thinking, perseverance and problem-solving capabilities”, says Former Board Chair, Jennifer Wills.

Amy has experience in nonprofit leadership, event planning, fundraising, donor relations, human resources and most recently served as the Executive Director for Kids’ Haven in Lynchburg.  Her experience as Director of Donor Relations and Special Events for Clemson University and Human Resource Manager at the University of South Carolina, Beaufort has provided her the knowledge to be a wonderful new addition to the work we are doing.

Amy earned a Master's degree from Clemson University in Human Resources Development and a Bachelor of Science degree in Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Management. She is currently pursuing a Doctor of Education in Leadership Studies at the University of Lynchburg.

She enjoys being outside and organizing community events. Amy says her goal is “to continue the social justice legacy at Camp Kum-Ba-Yah by focusing on access and inclusion. I am excited to lead the organization as we learn, heal, and grow in nature and in community.”

Camp Kum-Ba-Yah Nature Center offers summer day camp as well as year-round educational programming. Become a “Keepers of the Woods” which is our annual membership to access our 47-acre urban forest and to receive discounts on camp and special events. 

If you would like more information, please call Amy Bonnette at (434) 384-1755 or email amy@ckby.org.

Programs Director

Gage McAngus

We are thrilled to have Gage begin his 3rd year as Camp Kum-Ba-Yah Programs Director. He leads our year round educational programs to include school visits, summer camp, teambuilding activities, and rentals.

Gage first experienced the joys of camp life at a young age at Camp Gravatt in Aiken, SC. While earning his teaching certificate in Charleston, SC, he served as a summer camp counselor and camp technician for the Charleston County Parks and Recreation Commission. After serving as a public school teacher and administrator for the past thirteen years in Greenville, SC, he moved to Lynchburg with his wife, a Lynchburg native, and their two children.

Having learned about the rich history of Camp Kum-Ba-Yah and its value and importance in the community, he remains honored to serve as the Programs Director. Through both summer and year-round programming, he hopes to provide accessibility and enjoyment for anyone who wants to experience the benefits of the outdoors.

If you would like more information regarding programs or rentals, please call (434)-384-5732 or email programs@ckby.org.

Environmental Educator

Lilly Smith

Having moved to Virginia in 2013 from Syracuse, NY, Lilly is no stranger to Lynchburg and its great outdoors.

Her love for the world and desire to take care of it began while living in Syracuse when she was assigned to take the family recycling to the curb. "I can remember one of my favorite activities to do was analyze all of the recycling materials we had from that week and, with the help of my imagination, create something no one else had before,” says Lilly. Alongside her affinity for recycling materials, she also loved to play softball and volleyball, went on numerous hiking and fishing experiences and could often be found jumping on her families trampoline with the sprinkler underneath to cool off on a hot day.

A graduate from E.C. Glass in 2018, she chose to stay local to complete her Bachelors of Science Degree at the University of Lynchburg (‘22). While there Lilly was the President of the Commuter Student Association (CSA), an athlete on their collegiate volleyball team and an active member of the Lynchburg Sustainability Society (LESS). Presented with a wonderful opportunity to be the Graduate Assistant for Historic Sandusky, Lilly decided to continue her education by completing her Masters of Science Education at the University of Lynchburg (‘24).

Prior to joining our team, Lilly served as an Environmental Educator for The James River Association, was an intern with Lynchburg Grows and Claytor Nature Center, and this summer lead a team of undergraduate students in Costa Rica to conduct water quality testing and analysis. Now as a part of our team, she is looking forward to serving and formulating a deeper connection with the community and students that visit Camp Kum-Ba-Yah!

If you would like more information regarding field trips, please call Lilly Smith at (434)-384-5732 or email educate@ckby.org.