DALTON, Ga. — With their “game faces” on, Brax Bennett and Fisher Starr prepare to race, hands on knees, one foot in front of the other, waiting on the countdown. As soon as they hear “go,” they run and then dive belly first on a large water slide. The “game faces” are replaced with large smiles.

The 8-year-olds were taking full advantage recently of “water day” at Dalton First United Methodist Church’s Camp Joy. Twice during the summer water slides, dunking booths, inflatable bouncy houses and pools take over the church’s parking lot.

“It’s a day the kids look forward to,” said Susie Brown, director of Leisure and Recreation Ministries for the church. Brown has been in charge of the annual camp since it started in 2007.

Camp Joy is for youth ages 5 to eighth grade and is held every summer at the church from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. To attend for nine-and-a-half-weeks the cost is $1,250. The cost is $650 for five weeks. Registration begins in January. 

Brown said most parents pay in installments starting in February because everything must be paid in full by May.

This year the camp started on May 28 and will end on Aug. 3. 

Brown said when Camp Joy started there were 35 youth enrolled, now there are 102. 

“We average 78 to 82 kids a day,” Brown said. “The max is 75 but I don’t know how to say no.” 

She said 80 percent of the campers attend through scholarships, which are available through the church. 

“Church members or various organizations pay for kids to come,” Brown said. “We have a very diverse group of kids.”

She said each year enrollment increases. This year there were only six available slots.

“Once you get in you’re in until you age out,” Brown said. “Next year we won’t have any available slots for the public because if you’re in, your sibling gets to come.”

Ava Parkinson, 12, has attended the camp for four years.

“I love it here, we get to do all sorts of fun stuff,” she said. “We’re never bored and Miss Susie makes us smile when we’re sad. It’s a fun place to be instead of sitting at home.” 

There are 17 camp workers assisting Brown including group leaders, assistant group leaders, a cook and two lifeguards.

“We have some good students working here,” she said. “Everyone gets a background check, they also do a drug test before (getting hired) and random test during the summer.”

This is Taylor Behr’s sixth year working as a group leader.

“It’s really fun, I love it and I love the kids,” she said. “A lot of them have been here since they were 5 so I’ve seen them grow.”

Behr, 23, recently graduated from Georgia Southern University with a degree in child and family development.

“Camp Joy has been my summer job every year I’ve been in college,” she said. “I enjoy hanging out and having fun all day.”

Behr said in recent years the campers have started going on more field trips.

“We used to not go on many, but we’ve switched it up, which is fun and the kids love it,” she said.

Campers have been to the Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta and the Tennessee Aquarium, Superfly Extreme Air Sports and High Point Climbing Gym in Chattanooga. Scientists and magicians have visited Camp Joy this summer.  

“Every three years we do a trip we haven’t done before,” Brown said. “We don’t want kids to do the same things over and over again.”

Brown said she is already planning a trip to Stone Mountain Park for next year.  

Campers are served breakfast, snacks and lunch. Breakfast and snacks are from the Summer Nutrition Program through Dalton Public Schools. 

“We cook lunch here,” Brown said. “Yesterday we had green beans, mashed potatoes, chicken, peach cobbler, pineapples and a salad.”

Brown said the campers really enjoy the lunch and fresh baked cookies she makes three times a week. She also has bananas and apples available during the day to snack on if someone gets hungry. 

Brandon Poag, 19, an assistant group leader, aspires to be a high school or college coach. 

“I like working here a lot,” he said. “It’s a lot of fun being with kids and having fun with them.”

Brown said she’s enjoyed overseeing Camp Joy for so long.

“It’s a blessing, I just want everyone to have a fun summer and be safe,” she said.