Veterans Campground on Big Marine Lake

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Nonprofit Overview

Causes: Military & Veterans Organizations, Veterans

Mission: Veterans Campground on Big Marine Lake provides rest, recovery, and recreation for military veterans and their families as part of the continuous reintegration process. The Disabled Veterans Rest Camp Association Board of Directors, the administrating organization of Veterans Campground on Big Marine Lake, seeks out military members and veterans dealing with reintegration issues, such as post traumatic stress disorder, and their families to offer them rest and recovery through various outdoor recreational activities. This includes the children of deployed military members, as sometimes the deployed parent is their only parent, and these children do not have the same opportunities for outdoor and land stewardship activities. The camp is for veterans, administered by veterans, with its board of directors consisting of 16 military veteran volunteers, each representing a specific veteran service organization or county. Americanism Veterans Campground hosts patriotic programs each year, such as Memorial Day program, Flag Retirement Ceremony, and Independence Day activities, and invites the public to attend as part of the camp’s focus to educate the community of the service and sacrifices veterans have made for our nation. Outreach Veterans Campground invites disabled adult and children's groups, such as Gone Fishing and the disabled from the VA Hospital and Veterans Home, to attend camp-sponsored outdoor events at this handicap-accessible camp. The camp reaches all ages, races, and abilities, as service to our nation and disabilities affect without discrimination.

Community Stories

3 Stories from Volunteers, Donors & Supporters

klarson200 Professional with expertise in this field

Rating: 5

10/25/2024

Thank you for all your support and previous donations. Many improvements have been accomplished this past year at the campground.
We upgraded the beach area, finished the cabin decks for veterans and their families and added additional sites.
We are in the process of replacing the campground manager’s caretaker facility. The building not only is a home for the manager but will feature extra square footage in the basement area for meeting the required space to store camp supplies and equipment.
The camp manager is a key position who is required to live on the campground 24/7 to provide quality and endless service to the veterans. To attract and retain highly qualified individuals for this position it is crucial that quality facilities are provided for them and their families. In 2023, we served over 65,000 visitors. In 2024 we are expecting over 75,000 veterans and their families.
We will be celebrating our 100th anniversary in 2026 and we will be here for another 100+ years to serve all our honored vets and their families. The campground is a non-profit all-volunteer organization that needs to finish the construction of this important building. There have been some unexpected costs and delays which require additional funds to complete this important endeavor.
We ask for your help to consider a generous donation for the completion of this project.
It will certainly be money well spent.

1

citruslime General Member of the Public

Rating: 5

05/17/2015

Veterans Campground is a great place for veterans and their families, and only a 30 minute drive from downtown St. Paul. The campground has 167 RV sites, 24 cabins, and 15 tent sites. Lots to do--boating, tubing, skiing, fishing, hiking trails, volleyball, picnics, horse shoes, basket ball, etc. Very friendly place.

4

vetscampmn Volunteer

Rating: 5

03/02/2015

This 501(c)(3) non profit board of directors manages Veterans Campground on Big Marine Lake. This 69-acre camp is for veterans, managed by veterans. The 16-member board of directors are all volunteers, all military veterans, who represent the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Disabled American Veterans, and both Ramsey and Washington County. Established in 1926, Veterans Campground hosts over 9,000 veterans and their families/guests annually. The camp has RV sites, summer and winter cabins, marina, beach, and many other recreational activities that are all focused on the rest and recovery of military veterans. Veterans Campground is a contributing partner in helping military veterans reintegrate back to family and civilian live, and bringing veterans all the way home.

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