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wilderness camping

Star Lake Wilderness Camp is situated on 420 acres of land thirty minutes north of Brainerd, Minnesota. Four beautiful lakes adjoin the camp, including one lake that is completely surrounded by the property. There is a natural bog that has always been a favorite for kids who have never experienced this floating nature.

endless lands

The sheer acreage of the property lends to a sense of isolation from the everyday sounds and distractions of a child’s everyday life. Showing kids a whole new side of life, the natural one is one of the greatest benefits of Star Lake Wilderness Camp.

Huge Sand Beach

One of the hallmarks of Star Lake Wilderness Camp is the long white sand beach leading into a crystal clear lake. We are a part of the Mississippi River headwaters. We swim, canoe, kayak, tube and enjoy the warm summer sun at daily beach time. Solar showers provide a place to soap down without using fossil fuels. A 24’ voyageur canoe allows for whole groups to explore the water lilies and find the baby loons.

In the Woods

We say that the campers are in the woods. This means they sleep in tents. Build fires to cook their food. Carry water from convenient water spigots. Build tables and benches from sticks and longs to make a temporary home for their small group of adventurers. When you look out your tent at a 150 year old pine tree and the morning fog is still on the lake, campers have a good opportunity to have life changing experiences.

Camp Activities

Every day at Star Lake Wilderness Camp is a different. We operate on “Star Lake time”. Our goal is to allow the group of campers to organically move through the day respecting weather, interest, and opportunities that may arise. If the lady slipper flowers are open we might spend a half of an hour photographing each camper with the state flower. Some days dishes take forever and the route of the hike has to be modified. This is our normal flow of Star Lake time.


Water Front Activities

First goal of water front is safety. Supervision is a must and everyone is responsible for insuring that all camper s are safe. That said, it is almost as important to have fun. Every day we are spend the afternoons at the waterfront. Campers can:

  1. Swim (both for swimmers and non-swimmers)
  2. Canoe or Kayak
  3. Fish from a pier or boat
  4. Play volleyball
  5. Make sand candles
  6. Participate in the craft for the day
  7. Chill in the shade
  8. Tan in the sun(Sunscreen is a must)
  9. Shower in solar shower

Camp skills

Learn to set up a tent and then sleep in a home you helped erect. When you need a place to sit down, learn to lash a log to two trees so you are able to be more comfortable. Maybe you can find another log with a perfect curve to build a back for your bench. Being in the woods is about finding low impact ways of making your community more comfortable during your adventure.

Cooking in the campsite

Each day our kitchen site will provide food for the groups in the woods. Some mornings it may be ready to eat food because a big day is planned. Some mornings your group will learn how to prepare, eat and clean up a woods breakfast over an open fire. Lunch may be sandwiches for your hike or hot dogs that are cooked over a fire. Cooking is a skill to learn and a way to learn to work together as a group of people who all need to eat.

Canoe trips

Learn to paddle a canoe to go from lake to lake and see the wonders of the lakeshore. When your group is ready you can take a trip down the Pine River to see the eagles, herons, and windy waterway that empties into the Mississippi River. When you are on Service Camp maybe you can do a 14 hour trip to Brainerd. Canoe trips improve skills, build community, and provide goals for your group.

Camp Counselor

Our 2015 camp counselors!

Walter Lockhart

Camp Director

Tyler Hough

Assistant Director

Nathan Lockhart

Camp Cook

Contact a Camp Counselor

Address:

10992 Star Lake Camp Drive Pequot Lakes, MN 56472

Phone:

218-543-4871

Hours:

Monday - Thursday: 10am - 6pm
Friday: 10am - 6pm
Saturday - Sunday: 10am - 6pm