Think summer camp. But for grown-ups.

JOY SCOUT CAMP

Get out of your routine. Get into your life.

Cold lake swims, late-night bonfires, really good food, and a group of people who’ve been there too.

Sometimes the most restorative thing you can do is play.

GET ON THE CAMP LIST

Details coming soon

Scout for Joy IRL

It’s one thing to talk about paying attention to your life. It’s another to give yourself a few days to actually do it.

Joy Scout Camp is built around the things that make us feel more alive: getting outside, trying something new, making things with our hands, moving our bodies, eating really good food, laughing until it hurts, having conversations that go somewhere, and remembering how much fun it can be to just play.

Not because life is always good. Not because joy fixes the hard stuff. But because joy still exists — and sometimes we need to get out of our routines long enough to remember how to find it.

What happens at Joy Scout Camp?

There’s plenty planned, but this isn’t the kind of camp where someone blows a whistle and tells you where you need to be every hour.

Everything is an invitation. Join what sounds fun. Skip what doesn’t. Take a nap. Go for a swim. Change your mind.

CONNECTION & COMMUNITY

Coffee on the dock. Wine around the fire. The kind of conversations that only happen when nobody's checking the time. Spend a few days with people who know what it's like to be in the in-between, and who are still curious about what comes next.

SWIM, SAUNA, & HOT TUB

Take a dip in Lake Superior, give cold plunging a try, warm up in the sauna, or claim a spot in the hot tub. All three are available throughout the weekend, as often as you want them.

YOGA & MOVEMENT

Start the day with yoga, hike along the shores of Lake Superior, and make time to move your body in ways that feel good. This is another way to get out of your head and into your body.

BONFIRES & DANCING

Gather around the fire as the sun goes down, then put on a pair of headphones for a silent disco dance party under the stars — and maybe end the night with a very questionable late-night dip.

  • “Joy Scout Camp is the single most impactful thing I have done on my healing journey. The picturesque, calm environment is the perfect setting for the space Dana has created. I felt held by the women and nature in a way that made me feel connected and whole again. Sharing our stories and support, the group activities, and the ever-present option to do whatever felt good opened up a part of me that loss had forgotten. I left filled with so much gratitude for Dana, Joy Scout Camp, and the incredible women who now feel like sisters.”

    Past Joy Scout Camper

  • "I can’t remember the last time I had so much fun. I felt like myself again because in this space, I knew no one was going to judge my joy. I felt like everyone accepted everyone. I can’t tell you enough how grateful I am for this experience.”

    Past Joy Scout Camper

  • “I have been to retreats in the past, but not one like this. I went in a little nervous and with no idea what to expect. I left feeling a little more whole, healed, heard and seen.”

    Past Joy Scout Camper

  • “Dana’s ability to work with the energy of the group, be inclusive, and ensure everyone gets the space to be seen and heard is unique and a real gift.”

    Past Joy Scout Camper

  • “Sharing, listening, and moving outdoors was really grounding. The encouragement and kind hearts of everyone left me on a high note and feeling really ready to live more fearlessly.”

    Past Joy Scout Camper

  • “Joy Scout Camp was a breath of fresh air. From the moment I stepped onto the property, I felt instantly relaxed and at ease. The way you’re able to disconnect from the outside world while connecting to other women was something I didn’t realize how badly I needed. The daily dips, nightly bonfires, and opportunity to show up exactly as I was — amazing.”

    Past Joy Scout Camper

Meet your Camp Director

Hi, I'm Dana. I've been hosting gatherings since 2018, from retreats for cancer survivors to adventures with Widows in the Wild.

Along the way I've learned that the best moments usually happen somewhere between the plans: around the fire, in the sauna, or halfway into a very cold lake.

The logistics are the easy part. What I care about most is making room for whoever shows up: people who come to laugh until it hurts, people who come carrying something heavy, and most of us, who end up doing a little of both. Most people are surprised by how easy it feels to open up here.

Sharing your story is never required. But if you're ready, this is a good place to start.

WANT TO COME TO CAMP?

The next Joy Scout Camp is still in the works. Get on the list and you’ll be the first to know when we announce all the details.

KEEP ME POSTED

Camp is intentionally small, so the list gets first dibs.