Camp Sertoma is a place where Deaf and Hard of Hearing children come and meet people just like them, without communication barriers. Counselors are Deaf or Hard of Hearing themselves, they are excited to work with deaf campers; they know how important camp is because of their backgrounds. Camp helped enrich their lives and now they are eager for the chance to enrich the lives of the campers. Many times, campers and counselors create ever-lasting friendships and memories.

Campers are from both rural and metro areas of the Great Plains regions (Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa, and Nebraska). This is a once-a-year opportunity for many of the kids to be with other kids with similar experiences and feel no judgment. When a child is in an environment with no communication barriers, build new friendships, and have great role models, their self-esteem sky-rockets, naturally.

We are well-staffed with a ratio of one staff per five campers. Campers are supervised twenty-four hours a day.  The beach area has two lifeguards on duty, they are specifically trained for life guarding on a lake. 

We believe the natural wilderness of camp is the best place for the campers to grow….. friendships, confidence, and emotional well being!

Camp Sertoma at Confidence Learning Center is located just north of Brainerd, Minnesota about 115 miles from the Twin Cities. The lakeshore is pristine and surrounded by Pillsbury State Forest. The campers are sure to see deer, otter, beaver, raccoon, snapping turtles, ducks, loons, an island under the lakes surface, and if the wildlife tends to be evasive during your visit there is a wildlife area with a pond where ducks, deer, pigs, Elmer- the cow, and more are fed and roam within a large fenced area. The undisturbed waters of the lake are home to native walleye, nesting ducks and several families of loons swimming in the evening as the sun drops below tree tops. In fall, flocks of migratory birds stop to rest and feed. Sometimes you'll see eagles soaring over the lake looking for a fish to eat.

You can see this is the perfect place for self growth and discovery! Join us at Camp Sertoma in 2013!

The Mariucci Lodge consists of a dining room, kitchen and patio that is perfect for relaxing at the end of the day. For crafts and workshops, seminars, or family gatherings, astronomy room, and nature center. The lodge is the perfect setting when the weather is bad on rainy days or too hot since it is fully air conditioned.

Camper fees are subsidized through support of Sertoma clubs from the Great Plains Region. Camperships cost $650 per camper, but are offered to the camper at $125.00 however, nobody will be turned away for financial reasons. Individual and corporate donations are welcome.