May 2020 – Camp JOY
Tell us about your business.
Camp JOY is a non-denominational Bible camp in Guthrie, Oklahoma. We have been a part of the Logan County community since 1966. In July, there are 3 camps for children ages 7-9, 10-12, and 13-18. In months besides July, we host other events and also offer our campground and facilities to be rented. Parents feel comfortable sending their children to Camp JOY because we are a part of their community and located only a short 10 minute drive from downtown Guthrie. They love the atmosphere at camp – its a safe and welcoming place for their children. The kids who are campers love Camp JOY and want to come back year after year. As one of our graduated campers put it: “I can’t imagine my life without it, and I’m so thankful for Camp Joy, and what it has done in my life growing up. Counselors were always so willing to help build faith within the campers, and the activities are fun, and they are skill/faith building, and the campers were some of my best friends growing up.”
What is one thing that makes your business great?
Legacy. Although it is hard to choose just one thing that makes Camp JOY great, our legacy is one of the greatest aspects. Many families remember past camp directors Dan and Kay Curtis. They were a powerhouse couple, well-respected in our community with genuine hearts of servitude to Christ. Decades of campers, staff members and volunteers at Camp JOY have been blessed by experiencing the Curtis’s dedication to loving others and loving the Lord most of all. When cancer took them away from us to be together in Heaven, we knew their legacy of faith, ministry, consistency, community, and genuine LOVE had to continue at camp. We are so thankful they left a legacy, a model and pathway to follow Jesus, behind them with us.
Why is Guthrie a great community to be a part of?
Guthrie is a great community to be a part of because of the people in it. As much as is possible, we do business in Guthrie. We love supporting our small-town community. We love the fact that we can develop relationships with business-owners. When summer rolls around, we go from store front to store front in downtown Guthrie, asking if we can hang our flyers about upcoming camps. We are greeted with smiles and almost everyone has allowed our flyer to be front and center on their windows. Many people in this community know and love Camp JOY. We love how everyone is so supportive of everyone else!
Why is your company a part of the Chamber?
We are a part of the Chamber because we see it as an opportunity to become better connected to local businesses and individuals. Camp JOY is not just a place, it’s a calling. Our calling is to be a “lighthouse” – to share God’s joy, hope, and love. We want to be better involved within our community, we want to learn your names and your stories. There are always those we meet who are pleasantly surprised to learn there is a local Bible camp right here in their town. The Chamber does a great job of promoting businesses, so we hope that those who don’t know that we exist yet will become acquainted and friends.
What is the last thing that made you smile?
The last thing that made me smile happened just earlier today. I received a message from a Camp JOY camper. It is only the beginning of March today but this teen is already thinking about summer camp. This camper wrote to me: “I can’t miss out on Camp JOY this year. I love Camp JOY…Camp JOY has changed a lot of people’s lives and mine too.” If that doesn’t bring a smile to my face, I don’t know what would! As a past camper for 7 years myself, and now a counselor and the administrator, I understand the impact that our ministry at Camp JOY has on the young lives who attend. Of course, this is all because of Jesus. I know and feel He is present with us. At Camp JOY, I’m all smiles.
