Camp Wilderness

Nestled amidst the beautiful Northwoods of Minnesota, near Park Rapids, Camp Wilderness stands as a significant and expansive outdoor education and camping facility. As a flagship property of the Northern Lights Council of the Boy Scouts of America, this 2,400-acre "outdoor classroom" is specifically designed to provide transformative experiences for thousands of Scouts and leaders each year. For Minnesotans involved in Scouting, or those seeking a structured outdoor program for youth, Camp Wilderness is often the premier destination, offering a wide array of activities aimed at fostering leadership, outdoor skills, and personal growth.

Camp Wilderness is more than just a place to pitch a tent; it's a vibrant hub for adventure and learning. It comprises two main camps: Butler Wilderness Outpost, tailored for Cub Scouts, and Camp Wilderness, serving Scouts BSA youth. Beyond its popular summer resident camps, the facility hosts numerous weekend programs, winter camps, troop campouts, and even accommodates non-Scout groups. This versatility underscores its role as a comprehensive outdoor education center in the heart of Minnesota's natural landscape, situated between the picturesque Bad Axe and Mantrap Lakes within the Paul Bunyan State Forest.

While the vastness of the camp and the breadth of its programs are widely recognized, it is also important to acknowledge that like any large organization with complex operations and a significant reliance on seasonal staff, experiences can vary. Some past feedback has highlighted challenges with staff organization and communication, particularly concerning logistics and the availability of equipment. However, the overarching mission of Camp Wilderness remains to deliver impactful outdoor and character-building experiences for youth, leveraging its incredible natural setting and diverse activity areas.

Camp Wilderness is located at 56470, Park Rapids, MN 56470, USA. This places it in north-central Minnesota, a region renowned for its pristine lakes and dense forests. More specifically, the camp is situated between Bad Axe and Mantrap Lakes, within the expansive Paul Bunyan State Forest.

Accessibility to Camp Wilderness is generally good for a facility of its type, given its location in a natural, wooded area. Park Rapids, a well-known gateway to the region's recreational opportunities, is a short drive away. Major state highways connect Park Rapids to larger cities in Minnesota, such as the Twin Cities (Minneapolis-St. Paul) to the south and Fargo, North Dakota (where the Northern Lights Council main office is located) to the west, making it accessible for groups traveling from various parts of the state and beyond.

Within the 2,400-acre property, a network of internal roads provides access to the 25 individual campsites, two dining facilities, and numerous program areas. While these are typically gravel or dirt roads, they are maintained for vehicles, including buses and trailers that often transport Scout units. The camp's design ensures that participants can move between activity areas, cabins, and dining facilities efficiently. Its location also offers direct access to the surrounding forest for hiking and exploration, seamlessly integrating the camp into the natural environment.

Camp Wilderness, as a dedicated Boy Scout camp, offers an extensive array of services and facilities tailored to support youth development, outdoor education, and group programs.

Services Offered:

• 25 Campsites: Ranging from individual sites for troop campouts to remote outpost sites, designed to accommodate various group sizes and camping styles.
• Two Dining Facilities: Including the Herman Stern Dining Hall, providing structured meal services for campers.
• Indoor and Outdoor Classroom Facilities: Spaces dedicated to instruction, workshops, and educational programs.
• Cabin Arrangements: Various cabin options are available for indoor overnight accommodations, complementing the tent camping experience.
• Equipment Rentals: Canoes, kayaks, paddleboards, cross-country skis, and snowshoes are available for rent, facilitating participation in water and winter sports.
• Health Center: The Butler Health Center is on-site to provide medical support for campers and staff.
• Administration Building: The Black Building serves as the central administrative hub for the camp.
• Service Projects: Opportunities for groups to engage in conservation and community service projects.
• Year-Round Programs: Hosts not only summer resident camps but also weekend programs, winter camps, and troop campouts, demonstrating year-round operational capabilities.
• Staff Support: While acknowledging past feedback, the camp generally provides staff to facilitate activities and manage operations.

Camp Wilderness is packed with features and highlights that make it a robust and engaging outdoor education facility for youth, offering a vast array of activities within a beautiful natural setting.

Features / Highlights:

• Extensive Program Areas: A true outdoor classroom with numerous dedicated activity areas.
• Climbing Tower & COPE Course: Features a 40-foot climbing tower, high ropes course, and COPE (Challenging Outdoor Personal Experience) activities, promoting teamwork, problem-solving, and personal growth.
• Multiple Shooting Ranges: Includes an Archery Range (UFFDA Archery Range), Rifle Range (Art Chistopherson Rifle Range), and Shotgun Range, all under the guidance of certified instructors.
• Two Waterfronts: Access to Bad Axe and Mantrap Lakes, with areas for swimming, boating (canoes, kayaks, paddleboards, sailboats), and fishing.
• Miles of Trails: Extensive trails for hiking, mountain biking, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing throughout the 2,400-acre property and surrounding state forest.
• Nature Center: The Lavold Nature Center offers environmental education and interpretive programs.
• ATV Program: An opportunity for Scouts to learn ATV basics, advanced maneuvers, and earn their ATV Safety Rider Course Certification through ASI, culminating in a 4-hour trail ride.
• High Adventure Opportunities: Partnerships with programs like Northern Tier for Boundary Water Adventures, offering multi-day canoeing, camping, fishing, and portaging treks.
• Soudan Mine Tour: A unique "Wednesday Adventure Day" excursion for Scouts to travel 2,341 feet down into the historic Soudan Underground Mine, offering an educational and adventurous experience.
• Diverse Merit Badge Opportunities: Summer camps provide a broad range of merit badge opportunities, from environmental science and swimming to advanced outdoor skills.
• Chapel in the Pines: The Virgil Reed Chapel in the Pines provides a serene outdoor setting for reflection and ceremonies.

Camp Wilderness is managed by the Northern Lights Council of the Boy Scouts of America. For specific inquiries, reservations, or details about programs, it is best to contact the council directly.

Contact Information:

Address: 56470, Park Rapids, MN 56470, USA (This is the general geographic area; for direct mail, specific building names within the camp are often used).

For detailed program information, availability, and booking, interested parties should contact the Northern Lights Council's camping department or main office.

Northern Lights Council - Camping Director: Missy Hendrickx (Check official website for current contact information)

Northern Lights Council - Staff Advisor for Properties: Andy Kietzman (Check official website for current contact information)

Northern Lights Council Main Office Phone: (701) 293-5011 (While their main office is in Fargo, ND, this is the overarching council number for their properties and programs)

It is highly recommended to consult the official Northern Lights Council website (scoutingnlc.org) for the most up-to-date program schedules, specific contact numbers for camp staff, and detailed information on how to register units or individuals for their various camping and outdoor programs. Given the nature of a large-scale youth camp, advance planning and direct communication are key to a successful experience.

Camp Wilderness is exceptionally suitable for locals in Minnesota, particularly for families and youth involved in Scouting or those seeking a structured, immersive outdoor education experience. For Minnesotans, having such a comprehensive and expansive facility within their state offers unparalleled opportunities for youth development and outdoor adventure close to home. It provides a foundational experience in wilderness skills, leadership, and teamwork that is deeply embedded in the Scouting tradition, directly benefiting local communities.

The sheer breadth of activities available at Camp Wilderness—from climbing and shooting sports to a variety of water activities on its two lakes, extensive trail systems, and unique programs like ATV riding and the Soudan Mine tour—means that local youth can engage in diverse and challenging outdoor pursuits. This wide range of offerings ensures that there is something to capture the interest and build the skills of almost any young adventurer. While some past reviews mention organizational challenges, the core value of providing a vast outdoor classroom for character building remains.

For local parents and leaders, the convenience of a large, dedicated facility with established program areas and health support (like the Butler Health Center) provides a level of reassurance that smaller, less organized camps might not. It allows them to enroll their children in programs that teach self-reliance, environmental stewardship, and teamwork within a recognized framework. Ultimately, Camp Wilderness serves as a significant regional asset, empowering Minnesota's youth to grow, learn, and create lasting memories in the beautiful Northwoods, making it a valuable investment in their development and connection to the outdoors.

Camp Wilderness

56470, Park Rapids, MN 56470, USA