Minnesota Adult and Teen Challenge (formerly just Minnesota Teen Challenge) was given approval for a conditional use permit, paving the way for the group to purchase a former Lake Charlotte girl scout camp, which was abandoned by that organization about four and a half years ago.
“They’re a faith-based organization who treat kids, and adults, for various forms of addiction,” said Marc Weigle, St. Michael Economic Development Director, in a meeting with the St. Michael Economic Development Committee in March. “They would use the property, as well as the lake for various recreation activities.”
Minnesota Adult and Teen Challenge operates, currently, four campuses around the state of Minnesota, with locations in Duluth, Brainerd, Minneapolis and Rochester. This new location would be a teen champ for boys who are supervised by a staff of counselors and a site director.
The scout camp is located on the west bank of the small lake. It has access to Beebe Lake Road (County Road 34) via Garrison Avenue.
Members of the St. Michael City Council, as well as planning and EDC boards, state during discussions it supported the group’s purchase of the property. EDC Member Chuck VanHeel said he’s confident activities at the camp would be well-supervised and wouldn’t post any problem to residents on the lake.
Teen Challenge said the camp would house about 30 to 35 teen boys to begin with, with a target capacity of about 60 boys ages 13 to 19.
Weigle said Minnesota Adult and Teen Challenge has a specific set of programs in mind for the location, geared toward healing the residents there.