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About Us
Joy of the People (JOTP) is a 501 (c)(3) that promotes the idea of FreePlay as a way to build healthy kids and communities.
In 2009, Joy of the People partnered with the City of St. Paul to take over the running of the South Saint Anthony Rec Center. Each year, JOTP provides more than 1,500 hours of safe, monitored FreePlay soccer time at no cost to participants. We host seasonal soccer/futsal programs, year-round programming, camps, and FreePlay all year long for players five to college age.
We Believe Childhood Deserves Joy.
We didn't create Joy of the People because youth soccer needed another club.
We created Joy because childhood deserves places where children can play, belong, explore, and grow.
Soccer is simply the game that brings us together.
A Different Way to Think About Soccer
There is a moment in every child's life before organized sports.
Before uniforms.
Before standings.
Before rankings and tryouts.
There is simply movement.
Children run because running is joyful.
They invent games without instructions.
They solve problems without adults.
They laugh.
They fail.
They try again.
That is where learning begins.
For generations, this was how children grew—not just as athletes, but as people. Neighborhood games, playgrounds, parks, and pickup soccer taught creativity, resilience, leadership, empathy, and confidence long before anyone called those "life skills."
As youth sports evolved, incredible opportunities were created for children. Coaching improved. Facilities improved. Access improved.
But something became harder to find:
The freedom to play.
Joy of the People exists to restore that balance.
Not by rejecting coaching.
Not by rejecting competition.
But by creating environments where curiosity, relationships, challenge, and joyful play help children discover what they're capable of.
Because we believe that when children love to learn, they never stop growing.
Our Story.
Joy of the People was founded on a simple but powerful belief:
Children learn best when they are active participants in their own learning. Founder Ted Kroeten spent decades asking questions that challenged conventional approaches to youth development.
Why do some players become creative while others become predictable?
Why do children who spend more time playing often develop a deeper understanding of the game?
Why do environments matter as much as instruction?
These questions led to years of observation, coaching, travel, and research—including learning from communities where soccer is woven into everyday life and where children develop through constant play.
Those experiences shaped the philosophy that became Joy of the People.
Today, that philosophy lives in every program we offer—from Rice & Beans and Powered by Joy to camps, community events, free play opportunities, and Ted's Talks.
Everything we do begins with one question:
What kind of environment helps children flourish?
Everyone Belongs
Joy is built on the belief that soccer belongs to everyone.
Every child deserves the opportunity to play, regardless of experience, background, or ability.
Belonging is where growth begins.
Our Values
Our Vision
We imagine communities where:
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Every child has a place to play.
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Movement is part of everyday life.
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Soccer brings neighbors together.
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Curiosity is celebrated.
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Creativity is encouraged.
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Every child feels they belong.
Because stronger communities begin with stronger childhoods. JOTP's vision is to grow our model-a safer, healthier, more imaginative, inclusive youth sports experience-and scale it to the world, creating better places for all kids to play.
Mission Statement
To create Joy-ful environments where children develop as people through movement, relationships, play, and soccer.
Our mission isn't simply to develop better players.
It's to help children become more confident, more creative, more resilient, and more connected to their communities.
Soccer is our classroom.
Children are our purpose
Community Changes Lives
Soccer has always been more than a game.
It builds friendships.
Strengthens neighborhoods.
Connects families.
Creates opportunities to serve others.
We measure success not only by the players we develop but by the communities we help strengthen.
How We Bring Our Mission to Life
Year-Round
Our signature programs—including Rice & Beans (RXB), Powered by Joy (PB&J), and opportunities for free play—create consistent environments where children build skills, friendships, and a lifelong love of movement.
Seasonal
Every season offers new opportunities to learn, compete, and belong through thoughtfully designed soccer experiences.
Camps
School breaks and summer become unforgettable adventures filled with soccer, creativity, games, friendships, and Joy.
Ted's Talks
Ideas about childhood.
Learning.
Movement.
Community.
And why play matters more than ever.
Our philosophy comes alive through experiences designed around the way children learn best.
Our Team.
Behind every Joy program is a group of coaches, educators, mentors, and volunteers who believe in the power of PLAY.
We don't simply coach soccer.
We build relationships.
We ask questions.
We encourage exploration.
We celebrate effort.
We create spaces where children can discover who they are.
Our Impact
Thousands of children served
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Thousands of hours of joyful play
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Hundreds of camps and community events
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Partnerships throughout the Twin Cities
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One mission: helping children flourish through play
Join the Joy Community
Whether you're looking for a place to play, coach, volunteer, support, or simply learn more about a different way of developing young people—
There's a place for you here.
Volunteer - Please fill out the FORM on our Home page
"Play changes everything. Not because it makes better soccer players, but because it helps children become confident, curious, creative people."
Joy of the People
890 Cromwell St. Paul
Non-Profit 501 (c)(3)