One of the best parts of camp is running around outside. Kids run, jump and play in the great outdoors. That’s the way it should be, but all that foot traffic takes a toll on the grounds.

We do our best to care for the grounds in an environmentally responsible manner. With thousands of square feet of open field, that means we don’t use harsh chemical herbicides. You may love a lush, green lawn at home that’s weed-free, but we tolerate the dandelions knowing that any chemical weed control can very quickly run-off into Big Trout Lake, causing all kinds of harm to the aquatic ecosystem. We limit herbicides to certain designated ball fields where there’s little chance of run-off.

We also use native plants whenever possible and design our landscaping to limit the need for herbicides. That includes over 20,000 feet of paths and four miles of roads and ditches.

We are currently restoring an area about the size of three basketball courts where a number of Aspen trees were removed (per our forestry management plan from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources). The heavy equipment used in the removal compacted the soil, which makes it hard for new plants to grow. A group of volunteers planted shrubs, low lying plants and grasses that will help accelerate the breakup of the hard soil and attract hummingbirds and butterflies. Restoring the soil will allow new trees to grow faster.

Summer camp registration is the highest it has ever been on March 20. Over 2,300 campers are registered so far and we are above last years record number. We are thankful for the parents and grandparents who trust what happens at TLC and our goal is to continue providing an incredible camp experience where campers are safe, fun is had and most importantly, we communicate the transformation message of Jesus. See you this summer! 

When campers can run down to the shore wherever they want, plants get trampled and we see excessive erosion. A better shoreline will improve the water quality of the Whitefish Chain of Lakes and make for a better waterfront and boating experience at Trout Lake Camps.

So in the past three years Trout has completed three shoreline restoration projects, with another in the works. These projects limit erosion and run-off by restoring native plants and directing campers to the shore at specific places. We installed two large buffer zones in areas where sand and gravel went right up to the water’s edge, minimizing erosion.

We did a 1,800-square-foot buffer near the boat docks and then a 3,000-square-foot buffer between the Fish Cabins and the shore. For our third shoreline restoration project we worked with Crow Wing County to stabilize 100 feet of eroded shoreline using coir logs and native aquatic plants.

One of the greatest things about coming to Trout Lake Camps is getting away from it all – literally unplugging – and spending time in nature. God's creation can have a restorative effect on our souls. But that only happens as long as we are effective stewards of all that's been entrusted to us.

Trout Lake has been a meeting place with God since 1947, and we want that to continue long into the future.

We're taking care of this meeting place by working environmental responsibility into our daily practices. More than just a 'green fad,' this is about making responsible, efficient choices that will pay dividends now and into the future.

Here are just some of the envorinmental projects at Trout: shoreline restoration, honey bees, composting and recycling, landscaping and herbicides, rain barrels, and solar power. 

Last summer we hosted thousands of honey bees in addition to campers. We partnered with a long-time Trout friend Jack Eitzen from Honey House Farms and offered space to place 15 hives – each hive is home to 50,000 to 80,000 bees. 

That's a lot of bees and they do a lot of good. They pollinate crops all year round, including cherries, apples and almonds. This summer at Trout bees produced approximately 700 pounds of honey and 20 pounds of wax. In all, the Trout Lake bees likely pollinated 1.4 billion flowers.

The hives are located on a remote corner of our property – about a mile and a half from campers. We didn't see any increase in bee stings, so campers and bees coexisted peacefully at Trout. We also protect the hives with a solar-powered electric fence that keeps animals away from the bees.

In addition to the vital role bees play in our ecosystem, we also get to keep half the honey, which we're able to sell in the camp store and give away to volunteers and donors.

We are working as fast as we can to complete the tree houses at our newest camp called Wild Woods. Volunteers are working this week at finishing the ceilings in the first tree house.

Wow are things changing quickly at Trout Lake Camps. Check out the new staff housing! Thanks to volunteers and donors this place will be ready for this summer.

All of us here at TLC wish Todd and his family the best as they move to another camp. We wish them well and know that his time here at Trout was special.

Todd's Facebook post, "Well my time at Trout is coming to a close. At the end of the month I will be moving on to a new camp. I am looking forward to what God has planned for me and my family. I will miss all of the friends I have made over the last 6 years, but as Max says, you never know when you will see someone again. I thank God for all of his goodness and praise Him for faithfulness, mercy, and grace."

We are making major improvements to a staff cabin. This will be the perfect spot for 6-8 staff members and the location of the cabin is great. We will keep you posted on the progress. Also, this photo is taken from the back side of the cabin.

Can you beleive that another staff cabin is being built right now? Crazy, huh. Two walls went up today and within weeks the cabin will be framed up, windows in, roof on with shingles and a front door. We are thrilled donors and volunteers are working to make this new staff housing a great place for some of our wonderful summer staffers and interns. Thanks for making this a reality.