Camp Joy Announces New Community Partnership with Warren County Soil and Water Conservation District to Expand Public Nature Education
Clarksville, OH — Camp Joy is proud to announce a new long-term partnership with the Warren County Soil and Water Conservation District (WCSWCD), expanding opportunities for hands-on, nature-based learning experiences for the broader community.
This partnership is part of a Community Recreation Project funded through the State of Ohio, which supports the development of a new pavilion and restroom facility at Camp Joy’s former Orion Tower site. The location will also serve as the future home of a new high challenge course, further enhancing Camp Joy’s outdoor programming.
As a requirement of the grant, Camp Joy partnered with an organization that could help demonstrate meaningful public use of the space. Warren County Soil and Water Conservation District was a natural fit.
“We are serving people by bringing them into nature and helping them understand and protect it for the future,” said Molly Conley, Director of Warren County Soil and Water Conservation District. “Camp Joy shares that same belief in the value of connecting people to natural resources in a way that is both educational and impactful.”
Through this 15-year agreement, WCSWCD will utilize Camp Joy’s new pavilion and surrounding outdoor spaces—including hiking trails, pond, and observatory—to host approximately 8 to 9 educational programs annually. These programs will be open to the public and focused on conservation, environmental stewardship, and community engagement. The first scheduled program will explore local bat populations and their role in the ecosystem.
Both organizations are aligned in their commitment to experiential learning—creating opportunities for individuals to engage directly with the natural world rather than learning about it from a distance.
“Camp Joy has always believed that some of the most meaningful learning happens through experience,” said Elyse Lohrbach, Executive Director of Camp Joy. “This partnership allows us to extend that opportunity beyond our traditional programs and invite the broader community to learn, explore, and connect with nature in new ways.”
Warren County Soil and Water Conservation District is a public service agency dedicated to promoting the conservation of natural resources through education, technical assistance, and community partnerships. Their programming focuses on helping residents understand the value of natural resources and how to protect them for future generations.
Together, Camp Joy and WCSWCD will create accessible, engaging experiences that bring people into nature, deepen understanding of the environment, and strengthen community connection.
For more information about upcoming programs or to get involved, visit camp-joy.org or follow Camp Joy on social media.