LEXINGTON, VA (December 12, 2016)—Nature Camp is pleased to announce the receipt of a grant from the Community Foundation of Rockbridge, Bath and Alleghany. This grant, the first of what will become an annual disbursement from a permanently endowed fund, will be used to support Nature Camp’s financial aid program by providing scholarship assistance for campers in need. Over the past decade, one quarter of participants have received financial aid from Nature Camp, which also benefits from support from numerous garden clubs and districts, environmental and civic organizations, and a growing constituency of alumni, friends, and other donors.
Nature Camp is a private, non-profit, residential, co-ed summer camp specializing in natural history and environmental science education and has been located in Rockbridge County for over 60 years. Since 1942 Nature Camp has sought to train a corps of interested, knowledgeable youth to conserve and protect the environment and to become wise stewards of the earth’s natural resources. The endowment, managed by CFRBA was established by Dr. Fred Swope, retired professor of biology at Virginia Military Institute. Dr. Swope’s two daughters attended Nature Camp in the 1980s and one later served on staff. This lasting gift represents a testament to camp’s profound impact to shape young people’s lives, influence academic and career choices, and promote responsible stewardship of the environment.
The Community Foundation of Rockbridge, Bath and Alleghany strives to improve the quality of life and serve the needs of the communities of Rockbridge, Bath, and Alleghany Counties and the cities of Lexington, Buena Vista, and Covington. Nature Camp was one of 42 local organizations which received distributions from CFRBA at its annual reception last month.
For more information about Nature Camp or camp’s financial aid program, please visit www.naturecamp.net. Interested persons may donate to the endowed fund by getting in touch with Lori Turner, CFRBA Executive Director, at Lori.turner@cfrba.org or 540-463-0943.