Camps FAQ

Camp Joy’s Resident Camp program is designed to provide programming that is surrounded by relationship, self-esteem, and skill development and provide all campers with a strong sense of purpose and value. Campers participate in traditional camp programming that includes activity sessions, swimming, and high ropes experiences.

  • The true cost of Agency camp is $615 per camper per week. The Camp Joy Foundation works to raise funds to reduce the cost to camper families. We offer a tiered pricing system so that the base camp fee is $SO/camper, but those families that can pay more are able to do so to help offset fees for other campers.
  • Specialty Camps cost varies. Contact the specific partner organization directly for cost and registration information.

We strive for a 4:1 camper to counselor ratio and do not exceed 1:6 (youth camp) or 1:8 (teen camps)

  • Camp Joy can rent facilities for program events depending on availability and scope of program
  • We do not rent single cabins at this time

Our challenge courses are designed to be utilized in our programming as “challenge by choice” activities. We do not run them as entertainment, rather as part of personal, professional, or team development tools. Therefore we do not offer ropes course rentals for private groups.

We understand getting out to camp at a specific time can be a challenging thing to fit into your schedule. If you anticipate that your child will need to be picked up by someone other than a legal guardian, let our staff know at the time of drop-off. If something comes up and you are unable to pick your child up, please call us to let us know who will be picking your camper up and a good contact number for that individual.

  • Agency camps typically open for registration in mid February. These announcements are made on social media and our website.
  • Specialty camp registration varies. Contact the specific partner organization for registration and cost information.

18+ with a few spots for 16 & 17 year olds

  • Parents/guardians can drop off campers at 3:00 pm on Monday.
  • These campers should be picked up at 10:00 am on Friday.
  • Please check your registration or confirmation email for the pick up and drop off location.
  • Parents/Guardians must sign campers out before Leaving camp. You may be asked to show an ID to sign out a child.
Camper Mail: You can send mail to campers at the address listed below. Please send it the day before camp begins to ensure its delivery. Campers may also bring envelopes and stamps to send mail out.

  • Campers Name
  • Program Name
  • C/0 Camp Joy, PO Box 157
  • Clarksville. OH 45113

Phone Calls: Campers are not permitted to call home during the week. If there is an emergency, you will be contacted. If you have an emergency, please call 937-289-2031 or after 4:00 pm please call our on-call phone 937-725-4036.

Camp Joy wishes to maintain a safe environment free of illegal drugs. alcohol, firearms or other improper materials. To enforce this policy Joy representative may inspect cabins and belongings upon reasonable suspicion.

A medical supervisor is on duty 24 hours a day. Emergency service is provided by 911, and Clinton Memorial Hospital is 12 miles from camp. Parents will be notified in cases of accidents and illnesses.

  • On-site Nurse will administer medications
  • Medications are locked-up
  • Do not pack the medication in the child’s luggage because it will be turned in during check-in
  • Balance Due by 5 pm Monday, the week prior to the session attending. If payment is not received, your spot will be given to the next name on the waiting list.
  • Payments will be refunded if cancellation is made 30 days prior to the first day of camp.  After this date, ALL payments are non-refundable.

No child will be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, ancestry, age, income, ethnicity, sexual orientation or marital or family status. This facility is operated in accordance with USDA policy, which does not permit discrimination because of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability. Any person who believes that he or she has been discriminated against in any USDA-related activity should write immediately to the Secretary of Agriculture, Washington D.C., 20250

We are excited about this summer! We cannot wait for you to be here. When you come, don’t forget your smile and be prepared for the week of your life! It’s going to be a great time. We cannot wait to swim, play, laugh and of course GAGA. Summer is coming, so get ready!

See ya soon!

The Camps Team

Please email erinpolicinski@camp-joy.org with more specific questions.

We went to Camp Joy to learn teamwork and to have fun learning. My favorite activity was the underground railroad reenactment because it seemed so real, and it just comes to show how bad slaves were really treated. I personally learned how to deal with people that I’m stuck with or with people that don’t like too much. Camp Joy affected my school year in a way that I would work together much better with people. Camp Joy was a lot of fun.

Noah C., Camper

Thank you for for being my trail group leader. Throughout my time at Camp Joy you helped me and led us through our groups’ difficult times. You were also really fun singing all of those songs while we were hiking. I also thought that you were really good in the Underground Railroad play through. You probably would have caught us because of the way that we had escape. Thank you for helping me throughout Camp Joy, you should always know that I will never forget Camp Joy because of you.

Morgan C, Camper

Thank you again for providing our campers with a phenomenal experience. It is always a great opportunity for them to connect with other campers who share in their same medical condition and make lasting friendships with their peers.

Social Worker, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital

The excitement of learning and growing at Camp Joy all begins with our first connection with you.