Interested in Serving at Camp Joy?
We have many opportunities for you to serve at Camp Joy:
Whether you are paid or volunteer, all positions are provided lodging and food at no cost.
Paid positions
Lead Counselor: Pays $50/day. A counselor can work up to 55 days during the 2026 camping season. If a head counselor works all 1st-4th, 4th-6th and 7th-9th grade camps, they will receive a $250 bonus. (see pay breakdown link below)
Nurse: The nurse position has the option for a comp registration or receive a $200 stipend
Chapel Speaker: Chapel speakers receive a stipend between $300-$500.
Volunteer opportunities
If you would like to assist us at Camp Joy, click “apply here” below and select the volunteer option. Our kitchen volunteer positions receive 50% off one registration. The following positions are volunteer positions. If a camper is connected to your week of service, they will receive 50% off.
Junior Counselor (not eligible for the free comp registration. Must work at least 3 weeks to receive a camper registration 100% off)
Maintenance help
Kitchen service
General volunteers
Counselor Discount: If you are a head and/or junior counselor and work 3 weeks at Camp Joy, we will provide your junior high or high teens week 100% off. Training week does NOT count as a week worked. To receive this discount, the counselor must also attend training week (May 31st-June 5th, 2026).
Family Volunteer Discount: We are launching a new program for 2026. Our goal is to recruit families to volunteer at Camp Joy. If you have a camper attending AND you want to volunteer as a family, we have you set up. Families will receive a bedroom with bunkbeds, meals provided and 100% registration covered for one camper per week. Have other kids as well? That's okay, we will accommodate other kiddos not attending camp for the week. Reach out to Tyler for more information.
Counselor Important Dates:
December 21st: Christmas Party 7:30pm-10:30pm – (Fargo)
February 22nd: Winter staff retreat 4pm-8pm (Fargo)
May 3rd: Staff picnic at Tyler’s house
May 31st-June 5th: Staff training at Camp Joy
June 7th: First day of camps!
Why Serve at Camp Joy?
Spiritual Growth
o Deepen your relationship with God through daily devotions, worship, and meaningful service.
o Be part of a community that encourages faith, prayer, and Christian fellowship.
o Gain confidence in sharing your faith and leading others spiritually.
Lifelong Friendships
o Build strong bonds with fellow staff and campers who share your values.
o Experience true Christian community: living, serving, and growing together.
o Create memories that last a lifetime (and probably a few inside jokes too!).
Personal & Professional Development
o Develop leadership, teamwork, and communication skills that employers value.
o Gain hands-on experience in teaching and mentoring.
o Learn flexibility, patience, and problem-solving in a active environment.
Adventure & Fun
o Spend your summer outdoors: swimming, hiking, campfires, games, and more!
o Enjoy a refreshing break from screens and experience the joy of simple living.
o Participate in fun traditions, theme nights, and creative activities.
Making a Difference
o Be a positive role model and help campers grow in faith and confidence.
o Witness firsthand how God works in the lives of young people.
Know that your work has eternal impact, not just for a week, but for a lifetime
Staff FAQ
Staff Training runs Sunday May 31st through Friday June 5th. The first week of campers come Sunday June 7th! Each week, summer staff arrive at 3:00 on Sunday afternoon for a staff meeting and are on camp property until about 12pm closing day.
What weeks of camp can I work?
We recommend staff come to camp for the whole summer. At Camp Joy, we are all about the camper. Our goal is to have a counselor at camp all summer, but we do understand scheduling is complicated. Check out the schedule to see what weeks work best.
Yes! Our summer head counselors are paid a daily rate plus room and board. The more you work, the more benefits kick in. Work 3 weeks? Your future camp registration is free! Work 6 weeks? You are getting a $250 bonus!!! The more you work, the more campers benefit. We want you ALL summer!
Junior counselors are not paid positions and will be asked to volunteer.
How old do I have to be to work at camp?
All staff must be 16 years old by the first day of staff training.
I’ve never been to camp before! Can I still work there?
YES! Your first week at camp will be staff training. We will spend lots of time giving you tools and techniques on how to interact with campers and set you up for a great summer. Staff training is a great time to learn new skills, grow in your own faith, and make lifelong friendships.
We have jobs available for every personality type. Whether you love to help lead in the front, or you prefer to serve in the back, we have a position for you. Start an application through our website to see more job titles and descriptions.
What if I can’t be there all summer?
We believe that summer staff get the best experience – both as an employee and as part of the staff community – when they serve the whole summer. However, we know that sometimes things come up and you may have other obligations. We are all about the camper at Camp Joy. The longer you serve at Camp Joy, the more the camper benefits. For this reason, we strongly encourage working as often as you are able. Priority will be given to staff that commit the most.
We start each week Sunday afternoon with a staff meeting/collaboration. Then it’s all hands on deck as we prepare for the arrival of our overnight campers 6pm-7pm. All campers are picked up each closing day morning after closing ceremonies (Wed/Thru/Fri). Depending on the week, you will get Wednesday, Thursday or Friday evening, all day Saturday, and Sunday morning to yourself.
Campers arrive early evening on Sunday and are picked up on closing day (Wed/Thu/Fri). Depending on staffing, we aim to provide counselors at least one hour off per day. Our daily schedule is intentionally designed for counselors to have relaxing and slower periods of time with campers. For example, from 230pm-5pm, we have free time. Many counselors use this opportunity to send their campers off to the lake as they sit on the beach and relax.
If you have any additional questions, feel free to let us know. Reach out to Tyler (director@campjoyminnesota.org) or (218-849-7814).