Joy Ranch Rendezvous to help children facing challenges

The world would be a much better place if there were more people like Joy Nelson.

At a time when so many people work hard to create division, Nelson seeks to help everyone who is facing challenges in life, which frankly is all of us.

Her focus mostly is on children, and Joy Ranch is her brainchild.

The 126-acre ranch about eight miles northwest of Watertown once was her private residence, but now is part of a foundation operating Joy Ranch of South Dakota.

The year-round facility is on a pasture overlooking Lyle Lake, and the $15 million historic western was built to serve the more than 30,000 people with physical challenges within 100 miles of the Interstate 29 corridor in South Dakota.

The camp, which looks like the main street of a historic western town, features dining and gathering facilities, lodging for campers and 16 hotel-style rooms. There are several gathering spaces in the camp as well.

It is capable of hosting up to 150 campers and support staff at one time.

But keeping it operating is a major undertaking and South Dakota’s first Rendezvous fundraiser already is bringing national attention to our state.

Set for Aug. 19, the all-day affair will offer people a trip back into the Old West.

Highlighting the event will be Machinery Pete, who hosts a national television show and is a well-known expert in farm machinery.

A donated piece of farm machinery worth at least $40,000 will be sold in an online auction hosted by Machinery Pete.

The One Arm Bandit, a 15-time Pro Rodeo Cowboy Association Specialty Act of the Year, also will appear with his trained horses and buffalo.

There is rumored to be a high noon gun fight on Joy Ranch’s main street. The Old Time Fiddlers will perform, as will country singer Shawn McCall. The Rushmore Mascots are slated to appear and there will be a variety of rodeo-style kid’s games.

Miss Rodeo South Dakota 2023 Morgan Erickson is expected and likely will help with the kid’s rodeo games.

There will be chuck wagon cooking, butter making, candle making and a mechanical bull for those wanting to experience the thrill of hitting the ground.

Farm Journal will record segments of the event for its Ag Day TV and US Farm Report television shows.

Nelson said the annual event will enable the ranch to continue its growth and “will also bring with it a large audience to assist in raising nationwide awareness of our mission in true South Dakota fashion.”

That core mission, Nelson said, “Is to serve people with any type of challenges in their lives.” Those include “children with cancer; children with spina bifida, disabled children, autistic children; sexually abused children.” They also have veterans’ programs and serve all types of people who are developmentally disabled.

“Helping anyone who is experiencing challenges in their lives – that is our core mission,” she said.

Beginning in 2000, Nelson began planning to build the western town and donate her property to charity.

Lutheran Outdoors of South Dakota (LOSD) took ownership and ran it from 2012 to 2022. But Covid impacted LOSD’s operation, and it approached Nelson about taking her ranch back. Nelson quickly formed a new foundation to keep it operating.

Now in its second summer under new ownership, the ranch features more than 20 horses who are an important part of a camp participant’s experience.

Often, the encounters campers have with horses, Nelson said, is a life-altering experience.

Nelson never thought back in 2012 when she deeded her ranch to LOSD that one day she again would shoulder the heavy operational load that comes with the facility.

But having witnessed the dramatic positive impact the Joy Ranch experience has on so many; she willingly grabbed the reins.

The Rendezvous likely will become one of northeast South Dakota’s bigger summer festivals and money raised will enable hundreds of children to attend camp. Mark it on your calendar. Volunteer to help.

It is a day we all can become part of a mission to set aside differences and join Nelson in an effort to heal an important part of our world.

Brad Johnson is a Watertown journalist and businessman who is active in state and local affairs.

This article originally appeared on Watertown Public Opinion: Joy Ranch Rendezvous to help children facing challenges