Dear Parents and Students,
Greetings from Camp Joy! We are pleased that your child will soon participate in our Outdoor Education
Program.
The Outdoor Education Program uses experiential teaching techniques to encourage children to explore
their environment, challenge themselves, and consider their own behavioral changes based on what they have
learned. Subject areas include environmental education, cultural history, and adventure education.
FACILITIES: Camp Joy is situated on 317 acres of forest, wetland, and field, with the Todd's Fork Scenic
River running along the east and south boundaries. Students primarily use the six winterized modern cabins
with showers and bathrooms, dining hall facility that serves healthy family style meals, indoor classroom
spaces, a recreation building, an 1805 log cabin; a nature center; three adventure ropes courses; and two group
initiatives courses. Camp Joy provides a great environment for fun and learning.
SUPERVISION:
o The Camp Joy teaching staff members have all had a background check, reference check, and drug
screening and are certified in CPR and First Aid. They all receive extensive training in Camp Joy’s
programs and are responsible for instructing each class and evening program.
o The teachers and chaperones share supervisory responsibilities during the day and are responsible for
overnight supervision.
o Our expectations for behavior and discipline are outlined clearly by the Camp Joy staff at the beginning of
each program. Camp Joy reserves the right to send any group or individual home because of inappropriate
behavior.
ADVENTURE AND LIVING HISTORY PROGRAMMING: Please be aware that these programs operate
with the philosophy of "Challenge by Choice". This means that students may individually choose their level
of participation through the use of bandanas to signal the participant’s level of involvement in the Living
History simulations and setting their own personal goals during High Ropes. Your school or organization may
have selected the Living History simulation to participate in during your time at Camp Joy (students portray
runaway slaves traveling the Underground Railroad or Cherokees traveling the Trail of Tears). The purpose of
the simulation is to bring history to life and explore the importance of human rights; the entire experience at
Camp Joy encourages us to reflect on our attitudes toward others, our environment, and ourselves.
Survival on the Underground Railroad:
o Participants will need to be prepared to be outside in varying temperatures and weather conditions for the
duration of the play. There will be time that participants will be lying, sitting, and/or crawling on the
ground. Participants walk just under a mile through diverse terrain. Trail conditions vary through the
forest, some open farm fields, and a semi swampy meadow. Due to the nature of this program it is
imperative that participants wear clothing that can get dirty and wet. Flashlights, cameras, video cameras,
cell phone or electronics of any kind are not allowed in the living history programs.
o A skilled facilitator begins each program with an explanation of what to expect and what the guidelines are
for appropriate behavior.
o We do our best to remain historically accurate within limits. The program starts at an auction. The
participants are divided into small groups by being “sold” off the auction block. Harsh voices are used and
participants are spoken to as if they were property. Camp Joy educators will not use derogatory racial
terms or have physical contact with the participants.
o Each program is followed up with a discussion in which participants identify historical concepts, facts, and
are invited to express their feelings and observations.
o If a participant wants a “break” at any time, he or she can pull down his/her bandana and become a silent
observer.
o We recommend that the parents or guardians discuss the program with the students but refrain from telling
younger siblings as it may take away from the experience for future campers.
* If you have questions or concerns about these programs, please contact the organizing teacher at your school
or the School Program Directors at (937)289-9138 or (937) 289-9139.
PREPARING FOR YOUR VISIT: Please ensure that your child is prepared for this exciting educational
program.
o Remind your child that Camp Joy is an alternative school with high expectations of our guests for group
participation and individual appropriate behavior.
o Both pages of the Medical Information and Acknowledgment of Risk form must be completed for each
child, teacher, and chaperone. The visiting school is responsible for dispensing medication, and notifying
the Joy staff of particular medical conditions. Participating chaperones and teachers must also complete
the health and risk form (NOTE: No one may participate in any activity at Joy without this form and
all prescribed medication).
o Send weather appropriate clothing! Refer to the packing list for "dos and don'ts". Participants may be
removed from an activity if inadequate clothing for weather conditions presents a safety concern.
o In order not to spread illness, please make sure your child is healthy and that the luggage, sleeping bags etc
are clean.
MEDICAL ASSISTANCE: Camp Joy instructors are certified in First Aid and CPR. The staff are trained in
related safety procedures and are on duty 24 hours each day. In case of sickness or accident, parents will be
notified as soon as possible. The Clarksville Volunteer Fire Department provides emergency service. Clinton
Memorial Hospital is located in Wilmington, just 12 miles away.
PHONE CALLS: Please refrain from calling unless it is an emergency as we wish to keep the students
focused on the program. Between 8am-4pm, call (937)289-2031. After 4pm call our On-Call Cell Phone
(937)725-4036.
VISITORS: In order to keep our participants safe we have a check-in process and meeting for each group as
they arrive at camp. If you are planning a visit and/or are not coming at the beginning of the program please
make sure that the school coordinator is aware so they can inform the Camp Joy staff. Ideally, we discourage
visitors during our program so that the child may have an independent experience. Please remember that all
guests need to complete a Medical Information and Acknowledgment of Risk form.
MAIL: Students wishing to write home should bring addressed, stamped envelopes. Mail to a student should
be addressed as follows: Attn.: Child's Name; Child's School
Camp Joy
PO Box 157
Clarksville, OH 45113
We are looking forward to meeting your child, and feel confident that he or she will come home enthusiastic to
share the JOY experience with you. Please contact us at if you have any questions or concerns.
Respectfully,
Nate Hirt Renee Jacobs
Outdoor School Programs Director Outdoor Business Development Manager
(937) 289-9138 (937) 289-2031
