PROGRAM INFORMATION
Spirit in the Pines is all about community!
All week long counselors and staff build an accepting and inclusive atmosphere, lead fun games, and give inspiring talks around the campfire. It’s a place apart, where we can all grow into our best and most authentic selves. Friendships grow year after year and lifelong memories are made.
Many alumni hold their time at camp among their most formative experiences.
We check off all the boxes for traditional camp activities like swimming, canoeing, gaga ball, field games, crafts, and more! But most importantly, we create space for everyone to both inspire and be inspired. What we hear often is that “camp is the place where I learned that I am never truly alone.” Come for the fun and leave rooted in this incredible camp community!
Meals
Our dining hall continues to serve incredible food, and we happily accommodate all dietary needs. We can also create custom meal plans upon discussion with parents/guardians. All meals are served family style with plenty to go around.
Flexible Camp Day
Camp mornings start at 8:00 AM following polar bear swims for early risers. We have 4-5 morning activity choices followed by cabin quiet time. In the afternoon we switch between field games, canteen, waterfront, and crafts. Evenings bring full camp games, campfire time, and cabin devotionals.
Comfortable Cabins
All 10 of our camper cabins have a bathroom, shower, mini-fridge, microwave, living area, deck, and bunk style sleeping. Our larger cabins have open floor plans, and our other cabins have 2-3 bedrooms sleeping 4-6 campers each.
Waterfront Activities
Pleasant Lake is one of the cleanest lakes in Minnesota! We enjoy a clear, sandy, shallow, and level swimming area facing west for spectacular sunsets. Our waterfront also includes canoes, kayaks, paddle boats, pontoon and fishing boats, a raft, slide, cross-net, basketball hoop, and lily pad.
Land Activities
Our beautiful property is shaded by tall pine trees, and all buildings and activity areas are less than a three-minute walk from one another. Campers can enjoy sand volleyball, basketball, baseball, playsets, tetherball, carpetball, frisbee golf, walking trails, gaga ball, and a ten-element challenge course (rope swing, bouldering wall, etc.).
Youth Groups
Larger groups of youth can register together during certain summer weeks. We offer discounts, one free adult per six youth, etc. Visit spiritinthepinescamp.org/summer-bookings to inquire.
Safety & Accommodations
We have a 3:1 camper to staff and counselor ratio. We have a residential camp nurse, and all staff are first aid and lifeguard certified. If needed we have quick access to emergency services, with a health clinic locally in Hackensack. We continue to strive to meet ACA standards, and all of our facilities are certified and inspected annually by the MN Dept. of Health. This includes our waterfront, kitchen, and all sleeping accomodations. We want all campers to thrive, and we accommodate a wide variety of mobility, visual, auditory, and neurodivergent needs. We have one fully inclusive cabin with a ramp and an accessible shower and bathroom.
Camp Aspire | Elementary
We have three types of elementary sessions to choose from that vary in length: 2 nights, 3 nights, and 5 nights. Campers will be grouped in cabins and spend the day with kids in their same grade.
Camp Adventure | Middle School
At Camp Adventure, your day is filled with laughter, team surprises, and amazing meals. We run land and water Olympic games on Thursdays, along with a very special closing campfire!
Camp Agape | High School
Our pinnacle camp program for high school students brings together all the best parts of camp in one action filled week. Students entering Grades 9-10 can also be LITs (Leaders-in-Training) at our other camp weeks.
Family Camp Weekends
We would love to host your family at Spirit in the Pines this summer for quality family time at the lake!
Counselors
Interested in becoming a counselor? Volunteer week-long counselor positions are open for students who have completed 10th grade and above. We’d love to have you!
Off-Season & Outside Groups
We offer a variety of low cost and independent options for outside groups from September through May. We can host up to 90 people in heated cabins, where you cook for yourselves or we cook for you!