Camp Joy celebrates 75 years of faith-based summer camps

The Brownsville, Kentucky camp has provided recreation, fellowship and spiritual growth since 1950.

Published on Mar. 9, 2026

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Camp Joy, a summer camp along the Green River in Brownsville, Kentucky, is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year. The camp was founded in 1950 by Brownsville Missionary Baptist Church pastor Grant Jones and visiting evangelist Bailey F. Davis, and has since provided recreation, fellowship and spiritual growth for faith-based groups. Over the decades, the camp has faced challenges but has remained a cherished community institution thanks to the dedication of its volunteer board and staff.

Why it matters

Camp Joy's 75-year history reflects the enduring importance of faith-based community institutions, especially in smaller towns like Brownsville. Despite facing competition from larger Christian camps, Camp Joy has persisted as a beloved gathering place that connects generations and fosters spiritual growth.

The details

Camp Joy began in 1950 after Brownsville Missionary Baptist Church pastor Grant Jones and visiting evangelist Bailey F. Davis discussed creating a camp ministry. The church purchased the property and donated it to the Southern Region Association to serve as a permanent camp location. Funding for the first dormitory came through a '1,000 Club' fundraising effort. The camp officially adopted the name 'Camp Joy' in 1952, representing the guiding principle of 'Jesus first, Others second and Yourself last'. Over the years, the camp has faced challenges like the rise of larger Christian camps, but has remained afloat thanks to the dedication of its volunteer board and staff who keep overhead low and maintain its ministry-focused approach.

  • Camp Joy was founded in 1950.
  • The camp officially adopted the name 'Camp Joy' in 1952.
  • Camp Joy is celebrating its 75th anniversary in 2026.

The players

Grant Jones

Brownsville Missionary Baptist Church pastor who co-founded Camp Joy in 1950.

Bailey F. Davis

Visiting evangelist who co-founded Camp Joy in 1950 with Grant Jones.

Josh McCombs

Current board chairman of Camp Joy who did not attend the camp as a child, unlike most other board members.

Brownsville Missionary Baptist Church

The church that purchased the property and donated it to the Southern Region Association to establish Camp Joy.

Southern Region Association

The organization that received the donated property from Brownsville Missionary Baptist Church to serve as the permanent location for Camp Joy.

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What they’re saying

“When you talk to people who grew up around there, it has a really rich history. In a corner of one of the dorms there are pictures, letters and testimonies of people who went to camp there growing up. It really is a neat place.”

— Josh McCombs, Board Chairman (k105.com)

“What has kept it alive are people who are willing to make it a ministry and not a job. We have a full-time director, but he gets paid very little. We try to keep overhead low. Being a nonprofit, it doesn't generate a lot of money and donations are what keep it going.”

— Josh McCombs, Board Chairman (k105.com)

What’s next

Camp Joy plans to celebrate its 75th anniversary this fall with an open house at the camp. More information is available at Campjoybaptist.org.

The takeaway

Camp Joy's 75-year history demonstrates the enduring value of faith-based community institutions, even in the face of modern challenges. By maintaining a ministry-focused, volunteer-driven approach, the camp has remained a cherished gathering place that connects generations and fosters spiritual growth in Brownsville, Kentucky.