Our Mission

The Story of Camp Joy: A Legacy of Faith, Growth, and Transformation

The story of Camp Joy begins even before the land on Star Lake was ever purchased. In the summer of 1939, Rev. P.C. Sorenson and his wife, Lillian, stepped out in faith to start what would become a life-changing ministry. The very first Camp Joy took place at Lake Lida as a small, one-week camp.

Those early days were simple, yet full of purpose. The main building served as the dining room, kitchen, and cooks’ quarters. Boys slept in an old boathouse, while the girls stayed above the main building. When space ran out, campers slept in tents under the open sky. Services and classes were often held in tents, and the Sorensen’s themselves lived in a trailer.

Conditions were far from comfortable. Water for dishes was heated over an outdoor fire, and campers washed and dried everything by hand outside. There was no electricity, so gasoline and kerosene lamps were used, though not in sleeping areas, where flashlights were the safer option. Each morning, P.C. would drive to a nearby farm to pick up fresh milk and collect mail left in a box by the roadside.

It was humble. It was challenging. But God was at work.

In 1941, Camp Joy made a defining move to Star Lake in Dent, Minnesota. The land was small. so small that the dining hall stretched nearly from one boundary to the other. The boys’ sleeping quarters, affectionately named “Tumble Inn” and “Cubby Hole Inn,” required climbing up the kitchen wall to reach them. Some campers still slept in tents, but the vision was growing.

From that point on, the Lord continued to bless the ministry. In 1942, camp expanded to two weeks, one for juniors and one for seniors. By 1944, attendance had grown significantly, with 74 campers registered, and even bread deliveries began arriving from Fergus Falls. In 1945, camp stretched to three weeks, and by 1948, electricity finally came to Camp Joy, a major milestone.

Growth continued through the years. In 1955, a chapel was built, giving campers a dedicated space to gather and hear God’s Word. By 1960, Camp Joy celebrated its 20th anniversary with a service attended by 400 people, a powerful reminder of how far the ministry had come.

Leadership transitions followed as the ministry expanded. P.C. Sorenson stepped down in 1962, passing the torch to David L. Pritchard. In 1965, Gustav “Uncle Gus” Hansen became director, beginning a long and impactful season of leadership. That same year, Camp Joy celebrated its 25th anniversary with cake and singing in the dining hall.

In 1968, Lillian Sorenson wrote what would become the beloved Camp Joy song, still sung by campers year after year, echoing the legacy of those early days.

As the decades rolled on, Camp Joy continued to grow in both size and impact. New cabins were built, facilities were improved, and the number of campers steadily increased. Bathrooms, kitchens, and gathering spaces were upgraded to better serve the needs of a growing ministry.

The 1970s and 80s brought major developments, including new buildings, expanded programs, and faithful leadership through both challenges and victories. Dedicated individuals poured their time, energy, and hearts into Camp Joy, ensuring that each generation would have the opportunity to hear the gospel.

In 1991, Camp Joy celebrated its 50th anniversary, a milestone marking decades of life change. Improvements continued into the 1990s and early 2000s, with renovations of cabins, the dining hall, and other key areas across camp.

In 2014, Camp Joy welcomed Shane Hollenbeck as the new Camp Joy Director. Shane brought a new energy to Camp Joy. With an extensive background in youth ministry, facilities, programming and staff leadership, Shane created a foundation that to this day is still used in Camp Joy’s progression forward.

By 2016, Camp Joy reached its 75th anniversary, celebrating years of ministry, faithfulness, and transformation. New updates, including shingles, electrical improvements, and staff housing renovations. Helping prepare the camp for the future.

In 2018, the new leadership of Matt Larsen brought fresh vision, and continued improvements were made to the grounds, including walking paths and shoreline protection. Camp Joy also stepped into new seasons of partnership and structure, continuing to adapt while staying rooted in its mission.

Then came 2020, a year that brought unexpected challenges. The COVID-19 pandemic forced the cancellation of youth camps, but Camp Joy adapted by hosting family camps, continuing to provide a place for connection, rest, and spiritual growth.

In 2021, Camp Joy celebrated its 80th anniversary, a powerful reminder that God had been faithful through every season.

The years that followed brought both change and growth. Major renovations took place, including a full kitchen remodel and the long-awaited replacement of the girls’ bathhouse. In 2022, the old structure was demolished, and construction began on a new, larger facility. By May 2024, the new girls’ bathhouse was completed, a symbol of continued investment in future generations.

In 2023, another significant moment came as longtime director Matt Larson stepped down. Soon after, Tyler Tracy was hired as Camp Joy’s first full-time Executive Director, marking a new chapter in leadership and vision for the ministry.

Throughout the years, countless improvements, big and small, have taken place. From new equipment and buildings to updated facilities and expanded spaces, each step has been taken with one purpose in mind: to create a place where people can encounter Jesus.

From sleeping in tents and washing dishes by hand over an open fire…to a thriving camp that continues to grow and reach new generations, Camp Joy stands as a testimony to God’s faithfulness.

And the story is far from over.

Each summer, campers still arrive. The gospel is still shared. Lives are still changing.

And what began as a small, one-week camp in 1939 continues today, stronger than ever, because of a faithful God and a mission that has never changed.