Company Profile
Camp Joy Outdoor Education Center
Company Overview
Camp Joy's mission is to help people grow and succeed through lifelong, experience-based learning by providing life-changing camp experiences. In partnership with more than 120 organizations, Camp Joy crafts and delivers customized programming to meet the needs and goals of a variety of populations in a fun and unique outdoor setting.
Company History
1937 — Camp Joy was founded by St. Barnabas Episcopal Church. In its early years, the camp moved several times before settling in Clarksville, Ohio. The new 317-acre location finally provided the space needed to support Camp Joy’s ambitious mission of challenging individuals and changing lives—today, tomorrow, and forever.
1948 — Camp Joy became a leader in racial integration by welcoming campers of all backgrounds, paving the way for other regional camps.
1952 — The camp expanded its programming to include co-ed camping.
1972 — Camp Joy introduced year-round outdoor education programs, which later evolved into the Outdoor School Program.
1984 — The camp launched adventure leadership programming for youth and adults. The adult/corporate division adopted the name Venture Out!, establishing itself as the regional choice for businesses and organizations seeking team development and leadership training through experiential education.
During this time, the Outdoor School Program expanded into two distinct youth programming sections:
The Outdoor School Program: Focused on natural sciences, environmental awareness, cultural history, and adventure, serving public and archdiocesan schools across Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana (grades 5–8).
The Student Leadership Program: Designed to nurture leadership skills in students and educators, preparing them to become future leaders in their schools, careers, and communities.
1997 — Camp Joy dedicated its new swimming pool, expanding its ability to serve youth with medical challenges.
1998 — The P&G Learning Center was built, providing the camp’s first spacious indoor program space and a dedicated home for administration.
2005 — The New Recreation Center opened, enabling year-round youth programming, especially during inclement weather.
2006 — Camp Joy launched the Building for Inclusion Initiative, funding campus-wide projects to better serve individuals with special needs, medical conditions, and physical disabilities.
2012 — To celebrate its 75th anniversary, Camp Joy launched a Capacity-Building Campaign to honor its history and secure funding for future growth.
2020 — In response to the COVID-19 crisis, Camp Joy adapted by introducing "Summer Camp In-A-Box", ensuring continued engagement with campers despite pandemic restrictions.
2021 — As post-COVID programming resumed, Camp Joy welcomed participants with a modified camp experience to ensure camper safety.
Today — Camp Joy continues to transform lives, serving more than 13,000 guests annually through its unique experiential programs.