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Family Camps

Camp Joy partners with organizations and hospitals to help children and their families manage a medical condition/illness through weekend camp and retreat experiences. Some of the benefits of a Family Camp include:

  • Family Unity: Provides families with an opportunity to create memories together in a fun setting.

  • Education: Educates children/families about the illness in a non-medical setting.

  • Relationship Building: Provides an opportunity for children/families to learn and bond with other managing a similar condition.

  • Fun! Wholesome outdoor recreation, creative arts, and adventure activities.

Family Camp Registration 2022 – Now Closed

New Dates – TBD

About Family Camp Weekend

Family Camp Weekend is designed specifically for families of children affected with heart disease. The weekend is full of fun family activities, informational sessions for parents and sharing with other families who have had similar experiences. Activities are planned throughout the day for all ages.

Who

Families of children ages 0-21 affected by congenital or acquired heart disease, as well as adult congenital heart disease patients and their families. Camper eligibility will be determined by our medical board.

When

New dates – TBD

Where

Joy Outdoor Education Center in Clarksville, Ohio, located about 50 minutes north of downtown Cincinnati on 315 acres of beautiful countryside. Hiking trails, a fishing pond, high ropes courses and an indoor climbing wall are just a few of the amenities that Camp Joy has to offer.

Accommodations

Charming, rustic cabins with bunk beds and modern shower and bath facilities. Two to three families per cabin. All meals will be provided.

Minicamp

Children and adolescents ages 8 and up may stay in a cabin without their parents; however, parents must be present at the camp. Camp Joy counselors will be supervising children enjoying the minicamp option. Space in the minicamp is available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Cancellation Policy

New dates – TBD

Every year, Cancer Family Care organizes Camp Courage, a one-day camp experience for children between the ages of 5 to 14 who have been impacted by a cancer diagnosis in the family or by a loss due to cancer. Camp Courage is also open to childhood cancer survivors.

Campers are divided into groups according to age and participate in a variety of therapeutic activities throughout the day. Older children can also participate in a high ropes course experience.

Cancer Family Care’s main office provides transportation to and from Camp Joy.

For more information:
Holly Eary
Cancer Family Care
4790 Red Bank Expressway, Suite 128
Cincinnati, OH 45227
Phone: (513) 731-3346
heary@cancerfamilycare.org

You will be required to sign release/waiver forms in order for your child to participate in Camp Courage. Please download the required release form, waiver form and the optional food service form and bring them when dropping off your child. If someone else will be dropping off your child, please make arrangements with them to bring the forms. If you cannot print the attached forms and bring them, they will be available upon drop-off.

Camp Courage is staffed by camp counseling professionals and volunteers. All adults participating have undergone background checks for your child’s safety. If your child needs individual care during the day, please contact Holly Eary at Cancer Family Care at 513-731-3346, extension 111, or heary@cancerfamilycare.org to discuss your child’s special needs. Depending on the severity of your child’s needs, we may or may not be able to serve your child. Parents/guardians are not permitted to accompany their child throughout the day.

New Dates – TBD

New Dates – TBD

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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.

We are excited to get the opportunity to meet you and show you camp! If it is easier,
just give us a call at 937-289-2031