College of Wilderness Knowledge-Birch Bend Camp

Are you a Minnesota local looking for an unparalleled outdoor learning experience for your youth group, or a tranquil, rustic camping retreat for your family that truly connects you with nature? The College of Wilderness Knowledge - Birch Bend Camp, located near Pierz, offers a unique opportunity to immerse yourselves in the beauty of Minnesota's natural landscape while developing essential outdoor skills. This private, relatively primitive campground, maintained by the Pine Bend Association, is a dedicated campus for outdoor youth education and a cherished spot for member camping.

Birch Bend Camp is far more than just a place to pitch a tent; it's a living classroom designed to foster leadership, self-confidence, appreciation for nature, and environmental respect in young people. It's a place where "kiddos had a blast learning," as echoed by Scouting America troops who have found it an ideal environment for skill development and earning merit badges. The camp's focus on experiential learning in an outdoor setting provides a hands-on approach to wilderness knowledge that is both engaging and effective.

The campground itself embraces a low-tech, rustic experience, emphasizing a genuine connection with the outdoors. Unlike many commercial campgrounds, Birch Bend offers a less developed environment, encouraging campers to truly adapt to and appreciate their natural surroundings. With heavily wooded areas, numerous campsites (including large group sites), and essential facilities, it provides a solid foundation for both educational programs and peaceful family camping.

Situated on Round Lake, a lightly developed body of water with sandy beaches and a variety of fish, the camp offers opportunities for swimming and enjoying the clear lake water. While the focus is on outdoor education and primitive camping, the provision of a swimming beach with an offshore raft and the availability of Birch Bend boats and canoes for member use (outside of course instruction) add to the recreational appeal. It's a place where learning and leisure coexist harmoniously, creating a rich and memorable outdoor adventure.

For Minnesotans, the College of Wilderness Knowledge - Birch Bend Camp represents a valuable resource for fostering outdoor skills and environmental awareness, particularly for youth. It's a place where genuine wilderness experiences are cultivated, promising a deep and lasting appreciation for Minnesota's pristine natural heritage.

College of Wilderness Knowledge - Birch Bend Camp is located at 33082 268th St, Pierz, MN 56364, USA. This address places it within Morrison County, in central Minnesota, amidst the state's beautiful forested and lake-rich landscape. The camp is situated on Round Lake, a 129-acre recreational lake known for being lightly developed, offering clear water, sandy beaches, and a variety of fish.

While the campground embraces a rustic and relatively primitive setting, its accessibility is still manageable for visitors from across Minnesota. Pierz is a small, charming city, and the camp is located within a reasonable driving distance from larger population centers. For instance, it's roughly a 45-minute drive from St. Cloud and approximately 2 hours from the Twin Cities metropolitan area, making it a viable destination for weekend trips and educational programs.

Access to the camp is designed to provide a secluded feel, consistent with its wilderness education focus. The property spans 231 to 300+ acres, largely forested to conserve forest and wetland resources around Round Lake. While there is no electricity at the campsites, water is supplied from two wells with hand pumps, with water quality tested annually by the State of Minnesota. This commitment to maintaining a natural environment means campers should be prepared for a less amenity-heavy experience, which is part of the appeal for those seeking true wilderness immersion.

The camp features an East Gate and West Gate, with specific areas like the East Gate campsites typically reserved for College of Wilderness Knowledge programs. Visitors should coordinate with the camp or the Pine Bend Association regarding access and site assignments. In case of severe weather, there are designated storm shelters available on the property, including a stone root cellar and an admin building at the East Gate, as well as the basement of the farm at the entrance gate. This practical foresight ensures safety despite the rustic setting, making it a well-prepared location for its educational mission.

• Rustic Campsites: Approximately 25-30 campsites are available, including large group campsites and smaller family areas.
• No Electricity: Sites do not have electrical hookups, promoting a more primitive camping experience.
• Potable Water: Water is supplied from two wells with hand pumps, tested annually for quality.
• Pit Toilets: Basic restroom facilities are provided.
• Picnic Tables: Available at individual campsites.
• Fire Rings: Each campsite includes a fire ring for campfires.
• Open-Air Pavilion: A covered structure providing a gathering space, offering shelter from rain.
• Storm Shelters: Designated safe areas (stone root cellar, admin building basement, farm basement) available for use during severe weather.
• Swimming Beach: Access to a sandy swimming beach on Round Lake with an offshore raft.
• Boat/Canoe Access: Birch Bend boats and canoes are available for member use when not being used for courses.
• Outdoor Education Programs: The primary focus is on experiential learning for youth groups, including skills for merit badges (e.g., Wilderness First Aid, Orienteering, Astronomy, Indian Lore, Forestry, Backpacking, Camping, Hiking, Photography, Pioneering, Bird Study, Cycling).
• Group Camping: Specific areas designed to accommodate large youth groups, such as Scouting America troops.
• Member Camping: Campsites are available for use by members of the Pine Bend Association and their families.
• First Aid (Bring Your Own): Groups are advised to bring their own first aid supplies and equipment.

• Primary Focus on Outdoor Youth Education: A dedicated campus for the College of Wilderness Knowledge, offering immersive learning experiences for young people.
• Authentic Rustic Camping: Provides a "low tech" and relatively primitive camping experience, encouraging true wilderness immersion.
• Beautiful Lakeside Setting: Located on Round Lake, a lightly developed lake with clear water and sandy beaches.
• Ideal for Scouting America Troops: Highly recommended by scout troops for learning wilderness skills and earning merit badges.
• Large & Small Group Sites: Flexible camping options to accommodate various group sizes.
• Heavily Wooded Property: Offers ample shade and a deep connection with the forest environment.
• Hand-Pumped Well Water: A unique, traditional method of water supply, with water regularly tested for safety.
• Swimming & Boating Opportunities: Access to a lake for recreational swimming and canoeing/boating.
• Storm Shelters Available: Ensures safety during severe weather events.
• Community-Maintained: Maintained by its members (Pine Bend Association), fostering a sense of ownership and care.
• Focus on Skill Development: Programs aim to develop leadership, self-confidence, environmental appreciation, and practical outdoor skills.
• Peaceful Atmosphere: A quiet environment conducive to learning and relaxation, with minimal boat traffic on the lake.

Address: 33082 268th St, Pierz, MN 56364, USA

Phone: The College of Wilderness Knowledge and Pine Bend Association primarily use email contacts for specific program inquiries and reservations, as well as general inquiries. For direct contact regarding specific programs or reservations, refer to the following:

• Jean Wallinga Keller (Co-Dean, Course Schedule & Reservations): 612-910-5838 (Email: jeankellermn@gmail.com)
• Darrell Charboneau (Co-Dean): 651-274-2584 (Email: djcharboneau@aol.com)
• Mike Casey (Faculty Advisory Board, Camp Host Coordinator): 651-699-8937 (Email: jcaseymn@msn.com)
• Paul Mahowald (Property Manager, Faculty Advisory Board): propertymanager@pinebend.org
• David Skinner (Webelos School of Woodland Knowledge): 651-578-2878 (Email: ds_skinner@msn.com)

For general inquiries, the College of Wilderness Knowledge website (www.pba-cwk.org) is the best resource for the most current information and contact methods.

For Minnesota locals, the College of Wilderness Knowledge - Birch Bend Camp offers a truly unique and invaluable resource, particularly for youth groups and families seeking an authentic, educational outdoor experience. In a state renowned for its natural beauty and outdoor traditions, Birch Bend provides a rare opportunity to engage with the wilderness in a meaningful and skill-building way, right in our own backyard.

Its primary focus on outdoor youth education makes it an ideal destination for Scouting America troops and other youth organizations from across Minnesota. Here, young people can learn vital wilderness skills, develop leadership qualities, and cultivate an appreciation for nature through hands-on experiential learning, all within a safe and structured environment. This emphasis on practical knowledge, from orienteering to wilderness first aid, directly equips the next generation of Minnesotans with the abilities to safely and responsibly enjoy our state's vast outdoor resources.

For families and individuals who are members of the Pine Bend Association, or those interested in becoming members, the camp offers a rustic yet serene retreat. The absence of electricity at campsites encourages a genuine "unplugged" experience, fostering a deeper connection with nature. The spacious, heavily wooded sites, combined with access to Round Lake for swimming and canoeing, provide ample opportunities for relaxation and recreation in a peaceful, lightly developed setting.

Birch Bend Camp isn't about luxury; it's about authenticity, learning, and community. It embodies the core values of outdoor living that are so integral to Minnesota's identity. For locals, it represents an accessible sanctuary where both personal growth and cherished memories can be forged, allowing us to truly live and learn within the wild beauty of our own state.

College of Wilderness Knowledge-Birch Bend Camp

33082 268th St, Pierz, MN 56364, USA