Camp Joy

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Camp Joy's vision is to inspire our guests to become better people, make a change within their community and make a better world. Venture Out!
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History: Joy Outdoor Education Center (Joy) was founded as Camp Joy in 1938 by two urban churches in Cincinnati. The original mission, still followed today in the summer resident camp program, was to provide inner-city children a camping experience. In 1959, Joy purchased a 315-acre farm in Warren County, moved its operation to that site, and became an independent, non-profit corporation. The Outdoor Education program was added in 1968, followed in 1984 with the organizational training and development program. Joy is a non-profit 501(c)(3), private, independent organization. The Camps Program provides a camp experience to the underserved youth. Children with special medical needs are served in addition to economically-disadvantaged youth in summer camp and retreat programs throughout the year. The Outdoor Education Program offers adventure-based learning, environmental education and living history to students of all grade levels. Over a hundred primary, middle, and secondary schools from the region participate in these residential outdoor education and leadership training programs. at Camp Joy has become the region's premier experience-based leadership and training program for corporate, government, and non-profit organizations. Revenues generated from this adult program help support Joy’s youth programs.

10/16/2026

Can your team break the code? 🔐

During our Outdoor School Program, students take on challenges that get them thinking, communicating, and working together in new ways.

In “Break the Code,” students work as a team to figure out which items belong in which spots, all while remembering what they’ve already tried. The activity puts communication, problem-solving, and memory to the test.

It’s one of the many ways learning goes beyond the classroom during a trip to Camp Joy! 🌿

10/15/2026

Apex Order Pickup Solutions recently spotlighted Camp Joy as a United Way of Warren County partner at their United Way Kickoff Meeting!

Members of the Camp Joy team got to visit Apex Order Pickup Solutions to share a little about Camp Joy, teach the Apex team some Camp Joy chants, and hear from Katherine, the daughter of an Apex employee, about her own experience at Camp Joy.

Katherine attended Camp Joy as a Wekandu camper for many years and shared that she still talks to some of the friends she met during her time here. She also talked about how Camp Joy was a place where she felt understood because she was surrounded by others with similar medical experiences, including others living with idiopathic arthritis.

Apex took the celebration even further by creating a whole “Camp Joy Week,” with activities like the Camp Joy Beat and Camp Joy themes sprinkled throughout the week! 🐞

Thank you to both United Way Warren County and Apex for their continued support!

10/13/2026

A little healthy competition at Joy! 🏅🍏

Last week, we saw some real creativity with our annual cooking competition. This year's theme was Diptober!

Our staff had the opportunity to submit a dip of their choice in one or both categories: sweet and savory. Winners received a medal and "Lohrbucks," our very own Camp Joy currency featuring Executive Director Elyse’s face! Staff can earn Lohrbucks throughout the year by participating in activities and competitions, then cash them in at our annual holiday party. 💸😂

Taking lunch to bond, share recipes, eat together, and have a little friendly competition really embodies Joy.

10/07/2026

What better way to bring your team together than a day with Camp Joy facilitators for a Leadership Development Program! 🐞

The University of Cincinnati’s Faculty Enrichment Center (FEC) spends its time supporting UC faculty through opportunities for professional growth, collaboration, connection, and well-being. After all they do to support others, it was great to see their team take some time to invest in themselves, too. 💙

One participant shared how meaningful the experience was as someone new to UC:

“This was incredibly relevant, especially as a newcomer to UC. It helped to shape my mindset for the role I’ve stepped into.”

And the best part? They didn’t even have to leave UC. Our facilitators, Mike and Mo, brought the Camp Joy experience to them!

10/05/2026

Happy World Teachers’ Day! 🍎🌿

Our Outdoor School Program wouldn’t be what it is without the educators who bring each experience to life.

We caught up with seven members of our OSP team to hear what brought them to Camp Joy, what they enjoy most about their work, and what they hope students and teachers take away from their time here.

To our OSP educators and all the teachers who bring their students to Camp Joy, thank you for making learning outside the classroom possible!

10/02/2026

POV: You’re next in line to try the ropes course and zipline. 👀🤭

For many of our visiting schools, the ropes course is one of the most anticipated parts of their time at Camp Joy.

And getting to experience it alongside friends and classmates makes it even better. There’s something extra fun about looking down, seeing your whole group waiting for their turn, and knowing they’re there to cheer you on! 📣

Have you ever done a ropes course at Camp Joy?

09/30/2026

What a reunion! 🏔️

At 11,796 feet above sea level in Rocky Mountain National Park, Nate reached the visitor center and couldn't believe who he bumped into: Bridget, a Camp Joy counselor from 2010! 😮

The two spent time catching up and reminiscing about their days at camp. Even after 16 years, they recognized each other instantly, proving yet again just how special and lasting the connections formed at Camp Joy truly are. 🫶

How many Camp Joy alumni are still following along with us?! Let us know when you were at Joy!

09/29/2026

Today on World Heart Day, we’re celebrating some very special heart warriors. ❤️

This summer, through Camp Joyful Hearts, campers from Cincinnati Children's Heart Institute joined us for a week filled with camp adventures, new friendships, understanding, and plenty of Joy.

Today is the perfect day to celebrate these incredible campers and the memories they made at Camp Joy this summer. 🥰

09/25/2026

This group hits close to home. 💙🏠

Each year, the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Simulation and Research team helps train our summer staff. This year, they joined us to lead professional development and help prepare our team for the summer ahead.

Once summer wrapped up, they headed back to Camp Joy, but this time, the experience was for them! Their team spent the day together participating in our Adult Leadership Program.

We’ve partnered with Cincinnati Children’s for many years, and we’re grateful for all the different ways our teams continue to work together. 🤝

09/23/2026

What if one of the greatest gifts of meeting someone who shares part of your story is discovering how many other things you share, too?

At Joyful Hearts, a scar doesn't have to be the first thing that makes a child different. It can simply be one small thing they have in common. Violet learned this through experiencing Joyful Hearts.

She met new friends who not only had scars similar to hers, but who also created new memories, shared laughs, and formed inside jokes with her at camp. That made saying goodbye on the last day a little harder. Violet squeezed her friends a little tighter, because nobody was quite ready for the week to end. 🫂

“They absolutely made the whole summer for Violet,” says Erica, Violet's mom. “And frankly, they made the whole summer for me.” 🫶

Sometimes the best evidence of what camp can do is found in a goodbye that no one wants to say.

Discover what Joyful Hearts came to mean to Violet - https://camp-joy.org/the-camp-her-doctor-prescribed/

Address

10117 Old 3-C Highway
Clarksville, OH
45113

Telephone

+19372892031

Website

http://www.camp-joy.org/donate

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