AMF missionaries John and Ruth Larson had a dream. They started with just a few committed couples who stepped out in faith to forge a new ministry, Camp Victory. Camp was one of several ministries of a home mission organization, The American Sunday School Union(renamed, The American Missionary Fellowship,”AMF”). When Camp Victory started, the registration fee for the entire week was just seventy-five cents! Over the course of the next 27 years God tremendously blessed this outreach. Thousands of young people attended Camp Victory and hundreds received Jesus as their personal Savior!

AMF missionaries Jim and Jan Barnhart replaced John and Ruth upon their retirement. Along with running vacation Bible schools in rural Southeastern Minnesota, the camp ministry continued to flourish. As more volunteers were added and the word spread, Camp Victory grew larger and larger. Hundreds more found Christ and were mentored through the camp programs.

Leaving Lake Crystal in 1978, Camp Victory began leasing Woodland Camp and continued to add more weeks and more staff.

After so much moving, the leadership at Camp Victory decided it was time to put down roots in our current location in Zumbro Falls, MN. AMF missionary Jeff Urban joined Jim and Jan in the camp outreach. This addition enabled Camp to do more follow-up with local campers and counselors. More camp sessions and many more staff were added to the program.

In 2002, the camp began construction of Phase I with the help of hundreds of volunteers and $4,000,000 in donations, pledges, and credit. This costs covered the construction of six brand-new cabins and a dining hall.

In 2006, construction crews finished the building of the dining hall, office complex, and craft building. On June 3, 2006, Camp Victory held its first camps on the new land. David Nelson also became the Executive Director, which began the process of developing the camps in our new facilities. Our current amphitheatre, ropes, paintball, and Archery activity areas were also completed.

Only a year after opening in Zumbro Falls, Camp Victory became accredited by the ACA (American Camping Association) and served over 3000 people from summer camp to retreat guests. The Hilltop Fort and Riflry range were also completed. This was also the first year of our Day Camp program. At this point, Phase I of the building process was completed.

After completing Phase I, Camp Victory began Phase II, which would include the completion of the office and the Hilltop Fort.

After only a year of Phase II, we completed it. In addition to completing the offices and the Hilltop fort, they also finished the tent platforms, maintenance shop, and Ridgeline.

Tragically, the Zumbro River flooded as it does every 100 years and heavily damaged Camp Victory. A record number of volunteers came to support and rebuild camp as well as the director’s home. Fox cabin was also completed.

In 2012, Camp Victory received $625,000 to build Timber Lodge. Within the year, our first group was able to use it. In addition to our lodge being built, we also completed the gazebo on top of the hill.

Our retreat season (August – May) tripled in size compared to the previous years and we served 400 more campers compared to 2011 and 2012.