Trout Lake Camps - Wild Woods

Pine River, MN

New Facilities
Size: 27,211 sq ft.
Completed: 2021 (with expansion coming)

Station 19 Architects partnered with Trout Lake Camps to create spaces for experience and adventure on their 325-acre property just north of Brainerd, Minnesota. We worked collaboratively to align every architectural and design decision with both the mission of the camp and the Strategic Master Plan for its facilities, so that the investment made in their property would create space for change today and for years to come.

Trout Lake added an old west town square and all that comes with it - a post office, a mercantile, a boarding house, and a jail house. The charming layout, creative design, and playful functionality give kids the chance to escape the world around them and enter something truly experiential. They enter into another world, a unique, safe place that lets them encounter the life-changing message of Jesus Christ in ways that stay with them for the rest of their lives. 

At the end of the road in this old west town is the camp's dining hall. Affectionately named after the camp's favorite - and official - eating utensil, "the Spork" has a classic barn feel, along with a deep surrounding porch and outdoor hand washing stations, seating areas, and sheltered dining. The kitchen is lowered 6” so that campers can interact with cooks and kitchen staff. The Spork's drink and dessert stations along with a tall fireplace and platforms for staff performances and presentations make meals a time of experience and entertainment.

For lodging, an effort was also put into dreaming something bigger than what was done in the past. Instead of building traditional cabins, uniquely and artistically designed treehouses were added - each with its own look, playfully ornamented and artistically designed. The village of treehouses feels like a page out of an adventure novel, all interconnected by a series of rope bridges and all set up to build a sense of belonging and community.

“Our 15 year relationship with Station 19 Architects has been incredible. Every project they spend time listening to us to better understand how this building is going to be used to accomplish our mission. They know us, Trout Lake Camps, and how we work. Then they problem solve for us and have created one-of-a-kind camp structures. I highly recommend Nicole Thompson and her team of professionals. We won’t use anyone else on major projects.” 

Jonathan Wicklund
Executive Director
Trout and Pine Lake Camps

Kids and families are being reached. Lives are being impacted. By building environments that foster encounters and experiences, Trout Lake continues to create space for change.

•All Pictures Used with Permission•