Just halfway through, 2026 has already proved to be a deeply transformative year for Camptown. In the winter, we officially moved into our 26-acre home. In spring, we began hosting groups on-site. Then, this summer, we began our first phase of improvements to our new Base Camp property.
At the heart of this era of change is our partnership with Lowe’s Home Improvement. After receiving their $400,000 Community Impact Grant in May, we were joined by Lowe’s and over 100 volunteers in June for our first Volunteer Day — an effort to prepare our home to serve thousands of Central Indiana youth for years to come.
In this Compass Blog post, we share the highlights of our recent Volunteer Day:
Camptown Transforms Base Camp with Lowe’s
On June 13th, 2026, we rolled up our sleeves alongside our partners and volunteers for a 12-hour day of hard work, fellowship, and service. Together, we moved Base Camp closer to our vision: a place where young people of all backgrounds feel welcomed, inspired, and connected to the great outdoors; a place where Indianapolis’ youth can build confidence, discover new passions, and experience meaningful adventures.
Throughout the day, we were joined by over 100 volunteers and Lowe’s associates. Clad in Camptown shirts and Lowe’s red vests, participants brought improvements to every corner of our new home.
At our entrance, some volunteers laid mulch for a new connective trail between our parking lot and Headquarters. Others, meanwhile, beautified our shower house, maintenance building, and gymnasium with fresh coats of paint. In one corner of camp, participants built, stained, and sanded picnic tables for generations to break bread over; in another, a group demolished a defunct building — giving us further room to grow.
And, of course, all around the property were volunteers and associates who cleared invasive species and planted new trees, further cultivating our Base Camp’s natural beauty.
Needless to say, our most recent Volunteer Day was a grand success. Thank you to all who joined us, as well as our partners at Lowe’s Home Improvement for making the day possible!
Volunteer with Camptown
Our day with Lowe’s may have passed, but our search for all-star volunteers never ends! In fact, we’re actively looking for both individual and corporate teams.
Are you someone who loves the great outdoors, going on adventures, and helping kids grow? Then Camptown is the place for you— no sponsorship required and VTO eligible!
Volunteer highlights include:
- An in-person visit to Base Camp
- Engaging trainings and team-building activities
- Exhilarating outdoor adventures, including canoeing and hiking
- Meaningful opportunities to mentor the youth
- The satisfaction of making a difference in the community!
If you or your team is interested in helping lead youth to a better path, we’d love to hear from you! To learn more about volunteer opportunities, please email our VP of Programs & Operations, Whitney Carriger: whitney.carriger@camptown.org.