CVCA Events and Happenings

Camp Joy – A Light in our Community

The concept of organized summer camps began in 1861 with the establishment of the Gunnery Camp.  During the Civil War, Frederick W. Gunn, who was running a homeschool for boys in Connecticut, decided to take his students on a two-week camping trip in nature.  Now, over 160 years later, more than 15,000 summer camps operate across the United States, attracting approximately 26 million campers each year. So, what makes summer camp so special that it has endured for so long? Research indicates several mental benefits for campers, including increased confidence, reduced anxiety and depression, and improved social skills. These positive effects can be traced back to various aspects of the camp experience, but I would like to highlight a few key reasons: the connection to nature, the sense of freedom, the friendships formed, the fun activities, and most importantly, the escape from everyday life.

Imagine this: you’re having a bad day. You feel tired, yet the sun is shining and a cool breeze beckons you as you walk to join your fellow campers. You may feel sad, but for the next hour, you have the freedom to do anything you want. You’re stressed, but you can’t help but laugh with your best friends.  You’re bored, but you just caught your first crawdad. This is the escape that summer camp offers—a beautiful blend of nature, freedom, friendship, and fun that creates an environment separate from the real world.

Camp Joy Summer Camp encompasses all of this and more. Camp Joy originated from an idea sparked by the local community. In the 1940s and 50s, the Town of Bluefield and the residents of Tazewell County collaborated with the Salvation Army to physically build what is now Camp Joy. Over the years, generations have enjoyed attending various activities such as camps, picnics, swimming lessons, and fishing in the streams. Today, due to years of use and the need for repairs, Camp Joy requires the community's support to restore it to its former glory.

Clinch Valley Community Action (CVCA) is the current caretaker of this historic asset. With the help of private donations, several repairs have been completed over the past two years. However, more funding is still needed to make the remaining cabins usable again.

Camp Joy is open to the public year-round and has the potential to offer even more if sufficient funding is secured to complete the renovations. CVCA is a 501(c)(3) local nonprofit agency, meaning your donations are 100% tax deductible. If you would like to contribute to the renovation funds for this community treasure, please contact our office at 276-988-5583. All contributors will be acknowledged on the campgrounds.

Honoring Volunteers-Lauryn Bailey

For most of us, communication is pretty straightforward – say the words out loud or write them on paper. But, at times, depending on the circumstances, communication might not be so simple. Lauryn Bailey, a parent volunteer at our Camp Joy Head Start Center, wants to make sure that our children are able to communicate regardless of the situation. She has volunteered at the center over the past few months teaching students and staff sign language.

Lauryn started studying sign language when she was in high school and then followed up with two additional years of study in college. She was inspired by a cousin who learned sign language when she was young, continued to study it, and now teaches it in her classroom to young people. Lauryn started learning from her cousin when she was young and has continued to study. She says, “I had really good teachers and mentors who have helped me learn, and I continue to use it in my daily life.”

We are glad that she made the choice to be a mentor for our children and to help them learn such a valuable skill.

Reflection on Volunteerism-Rebecca Lester

Volunteers are the lifeblood of any community, bringing compassion, dedication, and tireless spirit.  Among them, there are those whose contributions stand out, lighting a path for others to follow.  One such individual is Rebecca Lester, a co-worker who also is a volunteer and whose unwavering commitment has made a profound impact on several programs here at Clinch Valley Community Action.

Rebecca is a mother, wife and teacher, who has been involved with Camp Joy’s Summer Camp and Project Discover for three years now.  She has dedicated much of her time to ensure that chaperons are covered for any trip, and that she is there to help where needed.

What makes Rebecca truly special is her ability to adapt to the circumstances she is faced with.  She most recently assisted along with her husband Isaac with the Charity Motorcycle Bike Ride, to benefit Camp Joys Renovation funds.  Without them volunteering their time, the fundraiser would not have gone off as well as it did.  They helped register bikers and grill the lunch that was provided. Rebecca embodies the notion that every little bit helps and that thought has shone in the things she has done.

As we reflect on the impact of dedicated volunteers in our community, we can all take a page out of Rebecca’s book.  Whether it is a few hours a week or a simple act of kindness, everyone can contribute in their own way.  We celebrate the spirit of volunteerism and the difference one person can make.  We all need to be inspired and look for ways to give back, fostering a community where everyone can thrive.

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