There’s something especially meaningful about winter at Camp Joy. The pace slows, the spaces feel cozier, and moments of care and connection rise to the surface. The annual Fostering Success & Respite (FSR) holiday field trip was one of those weekends. It was rooted in warmth, joy, and togetherness…one our staff and children will always remember.
What we witnessed was a staff team fully leaning into the spirit of the season, not because it was required, but because it mattered. We saw care show up in the smallest details: the way spaces were prepared, the thought behind each activity, the excitement of stepping into character. Everything was done with intention, all in service of creating moments that might feel small to an adult, but can mean everything to a child.
That intention turned into magic as familiar holiday figures stepped through the doors. Santa and Mrs. Claus arrived with warmth and laughter, joined by a cheerful elf straight from the North Pole. And when the Grinch made his appearance, green grin and all, it was clear this was a special kind of day. Even he couldn’t resist the joy that filled the room.
Later, the kids gathered for a quiet but meaningful moment, choosing gifts that were theirs to keep. Some were practical, some were festive, all were given with care. Wrapped inside those bags was more than winter wear or small surprises; they carried a message every child deserves to hear: you are thought of, you are cared for, and you belong.
Because of the generosity of the HMB Men’s Club, each child also received warm Camp Joy sweaters, hats, and gloves, simple items that offered comfort and confidence as the weekend unfolded. For kids who have experienced so much uncertainty, being welcomed with something new and their own can mean more than words ever could.
The weekend also made room for curiosity and discovery. Time spent exploring the Boonshoft Museum of Discovery gave kids space to learn, move, and engage with wonder, free to ask questions, try new things, and simply enjoy being themselves.
As the day wound down, Camp Joy settled into its familiar rhythms. Cozy evenings unfolded with spa night and LEGO builds, movies playing softly in the background, mugs of hot chocolate warming hands and hearts. These were the moments where friendships deepened and walls came down, where joy lingered quietly instead of loudly.
At one point, a child leaned close to Santa and whispered, “This is the best day of my life.”
It was said softly, without an audience, but it captured everything this weekend was about.
These moments don’t make headlines. They don’t always come with big gestures. But they matter deeply. They are moments of safety, of steadiness, of being seen. And for the children who experience them, they can become something lasting, a reminder that joy is possible, and that there are people who care enough to make space for it.
With Gratitude
Weekends like this, and the FSR experiences offered throughout the year, are made possible by a community that believes every child deserves joy, stability, and care.
We extend heartfelt thanks to the John Hauck Foundation, The Hunt for Good, Fraternal Order of the Eagles – Springboro Aerie #4014, Lebanon Optimist Club, Physicians Charitable Foundation, David Johnson, and the HMB Men’s Club for their generosity and partnership.
And to everyone, organizations, individuals, volunteers, staff, and supporters, who contributed to Camp Joy’s programming this year, whether named here or not: thank you. Your support creates moments that matter and helps ensure children experience joy, connection, and belonging at Camp Joy.
This is what Joy looks like.