Stearns Scout Camp

South Haven, MN


ABOUT CAMP

With 1200 acres of open fields, rolling hills and thick forest, Camp Stearns is an ideal spot for a small overnight campout or a major event of several thousand people. Bordering several lakes and bisected by the meandering Clearwater River, it’s also a great area to launch a canoe. If you’re planning a trip here, you’ll want to keep your eyes peeled for wildlife including Sand Hill Cranes, Whitetail Deer, beavers and wild turkeys. Also keep your ears open for nightly hoots of the owl!

In 1936, EJ Stearns funded the purchase and development of the original Camp Stearns on Lake Sylvia. In 1966, 930 acres of land was purchased from the estate of George C. Crosby, to form Camp Heritage a few miles to the north of Lake Sylvia. In 1984 the Lake Sylvia location was sold and the resources were invested in Camp Heritage. Shortly after, the property was renamed Camp Stearns to continue to honor the original generosity of the Stearns Family.

3303 County Road 44
South Haven, MN 55382

UNIQUE FEATURES

Clearwater River, High Ropes Course, Event Fields, Lake Caroline, Little Otter Lake, Inspiration Point, Tonkawa Lodge, Foust Pavillion

POSSIBLE USES

Overnight camping, district events and camporees, Order of the Arrow events, trainings, Super Events (2000+ participants), community events

Facility Ratings

  • Basic: Single Room/Multi-Purpose Spaces, Limited/No Cooking Facilities, Outdoor Restrooms Only
  • Moderate: Single or Multi Room Spaces, Indoor Restrooms and Cooking Facilities (unless noted otherwise)
  • Premium: Multi Room Spaces, Indoor Restrooms with Showers, Cooking Facilities, Nicer Finishes

Briggs Moderate

Briggs

Briggs Lodge sits in a wooded area near the river at the southern edge of Camp Stearns. It has a...

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  • Capacity: Sleeps 30
  • Restroom Facilities: indoor restroom
  • Cooking Facilities: Full kitchen
  • Heating: Wood/Gas

Crowther Basic

Crowther

A rustic cabin nestled deep in the woods. It has a standard open floor plan that is perfect for...

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  • Capacity: Sleeps 30
  • Restroom Facilities: outdoor latrines
  • Cooking Facilities: N/A
  • Heating: Wood/Gas

Deckenbach Basic

Deckenbach

Deckenbach Lodge sits at the south end of camp next to the sledding hill. It has a standard open...

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  • Capacity: Sleeps 30
  • Restroom Facilities: outdoor latrines
  • Cooking Facilities: N/A
  • Heating: Gas

Diamond Lake Moderate

Diamond Lake

Diamond Lake Lodge sits on the edge of a large open field that is perfect for games and outdoor...

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  • Capacity: Sleeps 25
  • Restroom Facilities: Indoor Restroom
  • Cooking Facilities: kitchen with four burner cooktop
  • Heating: Gas

Gagner Lodge Premium

Gagner Lodge

Located in the heart of Camp Stearns, Gagner Lodge is a bunk house facility that sleeps up to 72...

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  • Capacity: Sleeps 72
  • Restroom Facilities: Indoor Restrooms and Showers
  • Cooking Facilities: N/A
  • Heating: Gas

Heritage Moderate

Heritage

Overlooking a large field of prairie grass, Heritage Lodge sits at the heart of Camp Stearns....

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  • Capacity: Sleeps 62
  • Restroom Facilities: Indoor restrooms
  • Cooking Facilities: Commercial kitchen
  • Heating: Gas

McCarthy Basic

McCarthy

McCarthy Lodge can be found deep in the woods on the south end of Camp Stearns. It has a...

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  • Capacity: Sleeps 25
  • Restroom Facilities: Outdoor Latrines
  • Cooking Facilities: N/A
  • Heating: Wood

Tonkawa Lodge Premium

Tonkawa Lodge

Sitting atop a hill with a sweeping back porch, Tonkawa Lodge overlooks a large activity field...

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  • Capacity: Seats 130, Sleeps 48
  • Restroom Facilities: Indoor restrooms and showers
  • Cooking Facilities: Commercial kitchen
  • Heating: Gas

Whitewater Lodge Moderate

Whitewater Lodge

Whitewater Lodge is situated near the Clearwater River and surrounded by nearby trees. It has a...

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  • Capacity: Sleeps 18
  • Restroom Facilities: Indoor Restroom and Showers
  • Cooking Facilities: Kitchen with a range and oven
  • Heating: Gas

Fall Day Camp

Fall Day Camp is a half-day opportunity for all K-5 youth and their families.

Family Camp Rentals

With multiple locations to choose from, there is surely an ideal spot for your family getaway!

Spooky-Ree

A weekend long, family friendly, fall themed camporee in October.

Weekend Camping

Come and enjoy our camps anytime of year.

Weekend Special Events

Five of our metro area camps have created a special event schedule for all those who are camping with us in the coming months.

Here are just some of the fun activities you can do at Stearns Scout Camp!


Stearns Scout Camp

Related Pages

Documents

Forms

Staff

Anthony Hensel

Camp Ranger, Stearns Scout Camp
   320-236-7879
   [email protected]


Camping Customer Service

Reservations and Questions
   612-261-2303
   [email protected]