Star Lake Wilderness Camp

Changing Lives Through Small-Group Camping

Who we are

Located thirty minutes north of Brainerd, MN, our camp is secluded in its setting and rustic in its accommodations. Campers sleep in tents and eat around a fire. They are outdoors for their entire stay. Activities include canoeing, swimming, crafting, volleyball, hiking, stargazing, and fishing.

• 435 acres on four lakes in Crow Wing County
• Featuring sandy beaches, hardwoods, pines, streams, marshes, a bog, campfires, cooking meals outside, hiking, swimming in a lake, canoeing, and living in intentional small groups.
• Every youth is asked to pay only what they can afford.

What we do

Star Lake Wilderness Camp provides an outdoor recreation and living experience where youth can unplug and grow physically, socially, and mentally. We largely focus on youth who are traditionally underserved, have challenges, or would otherwise lack meaningful exposure to nature.

We operate on “Star Lake time”, where everything slows down and personal engagement becomes deeper. It is in this environment where youth can focus on programming facilitated by staff, without the usual, everyday distractions.

Summer 2023 Highlights

• We continue to grow our Star Lake Out Loud camp. Youth with stuttering challenges enjoy all Star Lake has to offer while working with speech language pathologists. "Since my client attended Star Lake Out Loud, he is more open and interested in talking about stuttering. He talks more during sessions and is engaging in our therapy activities on a new level. He seemed to gain more understanding and confidence during the week of camp than he had in months of speech therapy sessions. I ... feel very appreciative of camp for helping him take a big leap forward." – Camper’s speech language pathologist
• We also hosted two groups of campers from Somali families from St. Joseph, MN. It was their first time sleeping in a tent and exploring by canoe. The forest became a friendly place as they connected with nature and with each other. They are excited to return next year for more adventure.
  

Summer 2024

• Please consider a donation to Star Lake Wilderness camp so we can serve more youth.
• Let's get more kids in the woods!

(Star Lake Wilderness Camp is not associated with the Minnesota Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church)

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