General FAQs
Story Book Lodge Christian camp is located at 5079 Vermilion Trail in Gilbert, Minnesota 55741. The camp is located approximately 4 miles south of Biwabik, Minnesota.
Story Book Lodge exists because God has provided in amazing ways to bring the camp into existence. We have looked to Him for support in every way since 1948. That’s a long time, and every year He has proved Himself faithful!
Story Book Lodge Camp has expenses: food, sporting goods supplies, replacing things that wear out (including buildings or gym floors sometimes!), utilities, and many other things. (Not SBL staff–they volunteer without a promise of pay.)
We do not charge campers to attend, knowing that some can’t afford to pay. We trust in our God to move the hearts of families who can contribute, and also the hearts of many people who have experienced the life-changing value of Camp in past years. All contributions are voluntary.
If you bring your camper, you don't have to worry about receiving solicitations for donations in the future – we don’t do that. We know by experience that our God has infinitely deep pockets. And He has provided in many amazing ways in the past!
If you are able to share in the cost it takes to run Story Book Lodge, we appreciate that very much. But if you can’t, don’t let that keep you away. Above all, we value the opportunity to share God’s Word with you!
Yes! Campers love receiving both mail and packages from friends and family. Make sure to send your mail early enough in the week to allow for processing by USPS.
All letters and packages can be mailed to the main camp address:
Story Book Lodge Christian Camp
5079 Vermilion Trail
Gilbert, MN 55741
Include your camper's name on the letter or package.
Each group of campers has a caring Senior counselor and at least one helpful Junior counselor throughout the camping week. Our staff members are enthusiastic, dedicated volunteers. They are well-known to camp staff and include many fathers and mothers who take vacation time to minister to kids and teens. All staff members profess to be Bible-believing Christians and adhere to our Statement of Faith and Staff Guidelines while serving at camp.
Please register at the camp office between the hours of 3:00 pm and 5:30 pm on Sunday when your particular camp session opens. Youth camp programs begin with supper at 5:30 pm and a campfire that evening at 8:00 pm.
Each camp ends on a Saturday morning after breakfast, around 9 am. If you want to find your camper right away, come to the Dining Hall at 9 am where breakfast will be wrapping up. If you arrive after 9 am, your camper may be in the gym, playing right in front of the King’s Court, or getting something from the Canteen.
Try to pick up your camper by 10:30 a.m. Our camps run consecutively throughout the summer, so please be considerate of our staff and their need for a short rest between camps. We ask that all campers cooperate with this schedule and plan to leave shortly after breakfast on Saturday. If this is not possible, please contact us and explain your situation ahead of time.
There are a couple of ways to contact your camper during the week.
The best communication is through written letters. We encourage the campers to write home as well using traditional mail. Campers eagerly anticipate the mail call at lunch each day and are always excited to get letters and packages.
Parents and friends are welcome to email campers at: director@storybooklodge.org.
NOTE: Campers may receive emails, but they will not be able to reply.
In the event of an emergency, you can contact the camp office or the director using the information on the Contact page.
If the parents are unsure that their camper is mature enough to be away from home for a week, we would encourage waiting until such maturity is evident.
Story Book Lodge is blessed to have wonderful and iconic facilities on-site. King's Court (gym), dining hall, chapel, canteen, and the lodge are all a huge part of the camp experience.
Campers sleep in groups of 8-10 in cabins themed after traditional storybook tales. These include the Shoe, Pumpkin, Barn, Caboose, 7 Dwarfs, and several more traditional cabins.
Read about all of the facilities at Story Book Lodge on our Facilities page.
If your child/teen cannot attend for some reason, please let us know as soon as possible, even if it is last minute.
We often have a waiting list, so please do not substitute another person in your child/teen's place. Instead, please contact the camp director Bill Howell by phone or by text at (218) 410-4119.
We recommend the following items for your camper.
Essentials:
- Sleeping bag
- Pillow
- Towels & washcloths
- Play clothes
- Warm jacket
- Swimsuit
- Soap & shampoo
- Toothbrush & toothpaste
- Tennis shoes
- Bible
Additional optional items:
- Camera
- Money for candy, pop, books, and t-shirts
- Notebook & pen/pencil
- Flashlight
- Dress up clothes for one dinner
- Mosquito repellant
- Your best friend
Please do not bring:
- Cell phones, smartphone, or other communication devices
- iPod, iPad, MP3 player, compact disc player, radio, or gaming devices
- Airsoft Guns
- Drugs (other than prescription medications which must be turned in to the camp nurse upon arrival)
- Alcohol
- Cigarettes or other tobacco products
One of the best parts of Story Book Lodge is the ability to "disconnect" from the online world for a week and enjoy nature, friendships, and life without the internet. As such, Story Book Lodge does not allow campers to have iPhones/smartphones. Campers are expected to leave these devices with their family or turn them into the camp office upon arrival.
We have a full General Camp Policies page. Please read through this and talk with your camper before they arrive.
Full and part-time volunteers at Story Book Lodge profess to be Bible-believing Christians. The board of directors at Story Book has a published statement of faith available on the Statement of Faith page.