Camp Joy, located in Northville, Michigan, is redefining how young people engage with mental health. While it may resemble a traditional summer camp with activities like tie-dye and horse painting, its true purpose runs deeper—it fosters emotional awareness and resilience among teens and young adults. Founded by Hannah Jahshan following personal experiences with suicide loss, the initiative has evolved into a nonprofit called A Pathway to Joy. With trained young adult counselors guiding discussions on emotional control and coping strategies, Camp Joy provides a safe space for youth to express themselves. Now in its second year, the program continues to expand, aiming to open a dedicated mental health house and extended campgrounds to serve even more individuals in need.
At the heart of Camp Joy lies a mission to reshape the way young people understand and communicate their emotions. Unlike typical recreational camps, this initiative uses creative and interactive methods to guide participants through the complexities of mental well-being. Daily activities are carefully designed not just for fun, but as gateways to deeper conversations about feelings, self-awareness, and emotional boundaries. Madelyn Wessner, one of the counselors, explains that the curriculum focuses on the "circle of control"—a concept that helps children distinguish between what they can and cannot influence in life, teaching them practical ways to manage both internal and external pressures.
For Olivia, a camper attending her second session, the experience has been transformative. She describes how often young people feel dismissed when discussing their struggles, as though their emotions don’t matter simply because they’re still growing up. At Camp Joy, however, she finds a community where every voice is valued. This sense of belonging is central to the camp’s philosophy—encouraging open dialogue and mutual support. Jahshan founded the camp after witnessing the devastating impact of unaddressed mental health issues, including the tragic loss of a close friend to suicide. Her own grief became the catalyst for creating a space where silence no longer reigns and where healing begins with honest conversation.
What began as a local walk event called Steps Against Suicide gradually transformed into A Pathway to Joy, a registered nonprofit organization. Today, Camp Joy stands as a flagship program under its umbrella, now entering its second full season. Each counselor at the camp is a young adult with personal stories of struggle and recovery, lending authenticity and relatability to the experience. Westley Hatz, a current counselor, reflects on how working with the camp has deeply affected his own life, emphasizing that the transformation isn't one-sided—it touches everyone involved. As the program grows, so do its ambitions, with plans already underway for a permanent facility that will include a mental health house and expanded outdoor spaces to host more sessions and reach broader audiences.
Camp Joy continues to make a lasting impression on the lives of those who attend. Far from being just another summer activity, it offers a vital platform for emotional growth and peer connection. With its compassionate approach and strong foundation in lived experience, the camp demonstrates that mental health education can be both engaging and empowering. As Hannah Jahshan looks ahead, the vision remains clear—to build a future where young people feel seen, heard, and supported in every aspect of their emotional journey.