Our Story
Founded in 1939 by P.C. and Lillian Sorensen, Camp Joy began as a humble one-week summer camp at Lake Lida. With limited facilities, campers experienced the great outdoors, sleeping in a boathouse and tents, while classes were held in makeshift tents. In 1941, the camp relocated to a small strip of land on Star Lake in Dent, Minnesota, where the camp's growth began to flourish.
Over the years, Camp Joy expanded its offerings, growing from one week to three weeks of camp by 1945. The camp's facilities improved significantly, with the introduction of electricity in 1948 and the construction of a chapel in 1955. Each year, the camp celebrated milestones, including its 20th anniversary in 1960 with a service attended by 400 people.
Today, Camp Joy continues to thrive, providing enriching experiences for hundreds of children each year. The camp's mission remains steadfast: to share the gospel of Jesus Christ through exciting camping experiences, teaching campers that true joy comes from serving Jesus first, others second, and themselves last.