Joy of Living Ministries

Joy of Living Ministries is a 501(c)(3) organization, established in 1993 by Dale Engle with the help of several friends from Ashland, Ohio. The goal was to develop facilities and programming for a youth camp and conference facility. The 760-acre camp is located on the Mohican River in Knox and Holmes Counties, Ohio, four miles East of Danville and two miles North of Rt. 62 at Brinkhaven.

The property is leased from the Thomas J. Evans Foundation, Licking County, Ohio. Joy of Living Ministries, Inc. has developed the property to accommodate the needs of the camp. Joy of Living has built programs that benefit inner city and at risk children in the summer camp program, and programs that are used by public and private schools during the school year. The camp is also available for family, church, school, civic and business groups to use on a rental basis.

The camp experience provides each participant a lesson in life skills: how to deal with personal emotions and feelings, learning to relate to and work with other people, developing problem solving skills, and how to be challenged and encouraged by others.

The Joy of Living Ministry has grown from an idea in 1993 to having more than 2800 camper days used in recent years.

Joy of Living provides, at little or no cost, camping opportunities to inner-city and underprivileged children ages 8 - 15 that would not normally have the opportunity to attend Summer Camp. Approximately 250 youth attend Joy of Living camp each summer. Camp is held Sunday through Friday for eight weeks of the summer, with two of those weeks being teen camp (ages 13 ? 15).

The Summer Youth Camp program is directed towards helping ?at risk? youth build positive self-worth and responsibility through activities that require cooperation and teamwork. Sharing the good news of God?s love through His Son Jesus Christ is at the very heart of this ministry. Their staff is trained to understand the special needs of youth and to care for them in a loving and protective manner. Safety is a priority in all Joy of Living activities.

Activities

Canoeing, tubing, archery, low ropes challenge course, obstacleArchery course, hiking, ?sleeping under the stars?, outdoor cooking, crafts, river exploration, orienteering, fire building, basketball, volleyball, horseback riding, and games are all part of the Joy of Living Summer Camp experience. Campers belong to a cabin unit and learn community and responsibility throughout the week. Each day devotions and chapel time provide music, skits and inspiring messages that bring hope to each child.

Scholarship Information

The full cost for one week of camp is approximately $300.00 per camper. Joy of Living is committed to helping every child have the opportunity of a camp experience, no matter what economic restrictions a family may have. The Scholarship Program allows you to give a child hope by sending him or her to camp for just $300.00. You may sponsor as many youth as you like!

Contact information:

Camp Address

Joy of Living Ministry, Inc.
18860 Dodd Road
PO Box 338
Brinkhaven, OH 43006
740-599-7707
Toll Free 1-888-849-4340

Business Office Address

Joy of Living Ministry, Inc.
1067 Foxhaven Drive
Ashland, OH 43805

Email Addresses:

executivedirector@thejoyofliving.org
maintenancedirector@thejoyofliving.org
summercampdirector@thejoyofliving.org
reservations@thejoyofliving.org

Joy Of Living Ministries website is: thejoyofliving.org