Register for Camp Joy 2026!
What Is Camp Joy?
Camp Joy is a week-long, half-day summer camp for kids in grades K–7, hosted at Ward Church in Northville (there is no affiliation with the church). Our goal is to give children practical tools before a crisis by creating a safe, welcoming space where they can openly talk about their feelings and understand the importance of mental health.
Throughout the week, kids participate in hands-on activities, creative projects, games, and guided conversations that help them build confidence, regulate their emotions, and connect with others. Our volunteer team is dedicated to making every child feel seen, supported, and encouraged as they learn skills and build relationships that will stay with them long after camp ends.
Camp Joy is all about helping kids thrive—mentally, emotionally, and socially—while creating memories that last.
When Is Camp Joy?
Monday, June 22nd- Friday, June 26th, 2026 from 9:00AM-12:30PM
Where Is Camp Joy?
Ward Church, Northville Michigan.
40000 six mile road, Northville township, MI 48168
Drop off zone : door #2
What activities will the kids be doing?
Each day at Camp Joy includes a mix of fun, hands-on activities designed to help kids learn about their emotions in simple, engaging ways. Activities may include:
• Creative projects and crafts
• Team-building games
• Small-group discussions
• Movement and outdoor play
• Mindfulness and calming exercises
• Interactive lessons that help kids understand and talk about their feelings
Everything is designed to be age-appropriate, lighthearted, and supportive—so kids learn valuable skills while still having a great time.
What training do the volunteers have?
All of our volunteers go through training focused on working with kids, creating safe environments, and supporting emotional well-being in age-appropriate ways. They learn how to guide conversations gently, recognize when a child may need extra support, and lead our activities with care and consistency.
We also complete background checks on all volunteers to ensure the safety of every child at Camp Joy.
Are there any scholarships?
Yes! We never want cost to be the reason a child can’t come to Camp Joy. We offer a limited number of scholarships for families who need financial assistance.
If you’d like to apply, just reach fill out this form—we’re happy to help and will keep everything confidential.
What is your cancellation/refund policy?
Because Camp Joy is run by a nonprofit and spots are limited, we’re not able to offer cancellations or refunds. Every registration directly supports our program, supplies, and the resources we provide for kids throughout the week.
If something unexpected comes up, please reach out—we’ll do our best to work with your family and support you however we can.
Is this a therapy program?
No—Camp Joy is not a therapy or clinical program. Our camp is educational, supportive, and age-appropriate. We focus on helping kids understand their feelings, build healthy coping skills, and develop confidence in a fun, engaging environment.
Our goal isn’t to diagnose or treat anything—just to give kids tools before a crisis and create a safe, encouraging space where they can learn, grow, and be themselves.
What is your approach to teaching kids about mental health?
Whether mental health is something you discuss often at home or not, Camp Joy creates a simple, supportive space for kids to learn about their feelings in an age-appropriate way. We don’t aim to scare, overwhelm them or label them — our goal is to help them feel understood, confident, and supported through calm conversations and activities that make emotional health easy to talk about.