About
Joy of Living was founded in 1993 by Dale and Margaret Engle with the mission to love kids and communicate hope. For over 35 years that Vision continues to guide us as we reach the next generation for Christ.
"The Lord has anointed me
to bring good news to the poor;
he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim liberty to the captives,
and the opening of the prison to those who are bound;"
Isaiah 61:1
Our Mission
Joy of Living Camp exists to provide opportunities for all generations to experience life change through Jesus Christ, in the beauty of His Creation.
What is Joy of Living Camp?
Summertime should be a wonderful time for kids. We’ve planned six great weeks of camp for the boys and girls in your life that will make their summer days the greatest days of the year. It’s a fun, safe place for kids. Here’s what we’ve planned!
Our camp is centered around 760 acres beautifully located on the Mohican River right outside of Brinkhaven, Ohio. We're about a 30 minute drive from Mt. Vernon and Millersburg Ohio and conveniently offer bus service (click here for bus service details) for our day campers to and from Mt. Vernon. Day Camp runs from 9:00-4:00 each day. Overnight camp runs from Monday morning at 9:00 to Friday afternoon at 4:00. As a reminder, Joy of Living is a Christian camp that teaches Biblical principles to our campers.
For the 2023 camp year, our camp is for campers ages 7-15 years old, and they enjoy learning a lot as they have a great time. They go home feeling that they’ve spent the day with good friends who really care about them as individuals as well as an important part of the group. It’s just the thing for kids enjoying their first camp experience, as well as for “seasoned pros” who have previously been to camp. We’re planning everything carefully to make each week great.
Why Joy of Living Camp?
At Joy of Living, It’s the people who make those memories. Our staff make sure that kids feel loved and important. We work to help campers build good relationships with adults and other kids. Camp is like a big family whose members encourage and strengthen each other. We’ll do what it takes to make sure your child “fits in” and feels at home with the other campers.
Joy of living was founded in 1993 with a mission that camp would be open to all children regardless of race, color, religion or ethnic background. Our goal is to make camp affordable and accessible to as many kids as possible. If you have faced financial difficulties and would like info to apply for scholarships, please email our camp office at office@joyoflivingcamp.com.
Just wait until you see what we’ve planned for your kids. We’ll make sure your child has a safe and fun time each day at camp!
Once you register, we’ll send you a complete Camp Information Packet in May with all of the details you’ll need to know before camp begins. Also, look at the “important documents” section for the latest information. Camp is more than a vacation; it’s the best summer of your life!
Our Core Values
We, the Joy of Living team (including the board of directors, staff, volunteers, and supporters), commit to prioritizing and exhibiting the following five core values in our words and deeds for the glory of God and the spiritual enrichment of all who visit the camp.
1. A solid foundation built on Christ
Matthew 22:37: "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.”
We seek to honor Christ with our words and actions, and we strive to make the camp a place where Christ is glorified in all that we do. Our hope is that everyone who visits Joy of Living Camp would see Christ reflected in our lives and through our interactions, creating a stronger desire to know Him better. We invite Christ into our meetings, mealtimes, teachings, and daily interactions through humble prayer and worship.
2. Focused on Relationships
John 13: 34-35: “A new command I give you: love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
We strive to prioritize building relationships with fellow camp teammates, campers, and visitors. We commit to lovingly coming alongside all who visit the camp and guiding them toward a God-centered relationship with Christ. We also strive to create an environment where believers new and old can foster their own discipleship relationship with Christ.
3. Fostering Transformation
Romans 12:2a: “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”
We commit to providing a welcoming, edifying environment where followers of Christ will further their transformation into His likeness and where unbelievers will come to know Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. It is our hope and prayer that every camper and visitor to Joy of Living will come closer to discovering the part they are to play in God’s story for their lives. We want to see lives be transformed at camp.
4. Working with Excellence
1 Corinthians 10:31: "So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”
We strive for excellence in everything we do, knowing that our work for the kingdom of God requires perseverance and mindfulness. We shall not be overcome by carelessness or indifference in our work or interactions. We seek to engage everyone with full attentiveness, whether they be donors, camp families, visiting groups, or fellow teammates. We affirm our intention to exhibit a high level of care and concern for anyone who comes on our property. We desire to be good stewards of all that God has given us, so we want to experience every blessing He has given us to the fullest, whether that’s riding a horse or eating a meal.
5. Living Joyfully
John 15:11: “I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.”
We want everyone who steps onto the camp property to experience the joy we have in Christ, so we endeavor to abide in Him so his love and peace will permeate our hearts and minds, even when times are difficult. We intentionally choose positivity, focusing on the hope Christ promises and gives to all who believe. We will let our lights shine so everyone can see God through us.
