Camp Pillsbury

Owatonna, MN

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About Camp Pillsbury

Activity breadth — over 100 activities across arts, circus, tech, sports

With more than 100 activities available, the range at Camp Pillsbury goes well beyond the usual arts-and-crafts-plus-swimming lineup. Teens and kids can get into rock band, musical theater, circus arts, video and filmmaking, fashion design, robotics, coding, and a full slate of competitive sports including basketball, soccer, volleyball, and tennis. The list also includes flying trapeze, aerial silks, horseback riding, magic, culinary, waterskiing, wakeboarding, podcasting, and role-playing games.

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315 S. Grove Ave, Owatonna, Minnesota 55060Approximate map location; confirm arrival directions with the camp.Open map ↗© OpenStreetMap contributors

At a glance

Address: 315 S. Grove Ave, Owatonna, Minnesota 55060
Camp type: Day & overnight
Ages: 6–17
Enrollment: Coed

Activities

Waterfront

Swimming
Waterskiing
Wakeboarding

Land Sports

Soccer
Tennis
Basketball
Volleyball

Arts & Creative

Theater

Clues to fit

First-timer readiness — what to expect, Sampler Day eases anxiety

Majors are chosen at the start of each session and taken at the same time each day with the same staff and campers, giving first-time campers a chance to settle into a consistent routine early on. Campers also get to pick three minors each day, giving them room to try something new without committing to it long-term — which can ease some of the anxiety around 'picking wrong.' On Sampler Day, the first Monday of each session, everyone is introduced to every activity before choosing.

Explore on the camp’s websiteFirst-timer readiness — what to expect, Sampler Day eases anxiety

Homesickness — trained staff support, structure and engagement

Camp Pillsbury has trained staff to support homesick campers and help them adjust through structure, encouragement, and engaging activities. Most kids adjust within the first few days once they settle into a routine and start building friendships with their bunkmates. Knowing that ahead of time can make those first homesick moments feel less alarming if they happen.

Explore on the camp’s websiteHomesickness — trained staff support, structure and engagement

Adventure Days — off-campus trips included in tuition

On Pillsbury Adventure Day, all regular camp activities stop and campers are transported offsite to take a chaperoned trip. Past trips include Mall of America, Valley Fair Amusement Park, movies, rafting, cave tours, a Minnesota Twins game, and a pre-season Vikings game. Camp Pillsbury covers the cost for admission and transportation. Many campers say their Adventure Day memories with friends are some of the most treasured from their summer camp experience.

Explore on the camp’s websiteAdventure Days — off-campus trips included in tuition

Campus setting — historic buildings, modern facilities, no roughing it

Camp Pillsbury takes great pride in having a picturesque historical campus with modern and comfortable summer camp facilities. With updated dorm rooms, bathrooms, showers, lounge areas, and dining hall, there is no roughing it at Camp Pillsbury. Old Main, a historic building, has an auditorium with a balcony that seats 400. All buildings are updated and maintained to code. All facilities and grounds are impeccably cared for.

Explore on the camp’s websiteCampus setting — historic buildings, modern facilities, no roughing it

Traditions & shared moments

Session structure — five sessions including one 3-week Broadway session

Camp Pillsbury offers four 2-week sessions and one 3-week session. Each session wraps up with end-of-session performances where campers proudly showcase what talents they have learned or perfected. The 3-week session (Session 3) provides a wonderful opportunity for campers to learn and perform a full JR Broadway musical — for many campers, their first production. Different productions are performed each summer. Each session begins with an opening campfire.

Explore on the camp’s websiteSession structure — five sessions including one 3-week Broadway session

Independence, growth & leadership

CIT Leadership Program — teens ages 15–17 building leadership skills

The Camp Pillsbury Counselor in Training Leadership Program is designed for older campers interested in transitioning from camper to counselor or learning what it takes to become a strong and effective leader. Requirements: 1st Year CIT (15 yrs) assists for one period per day; 2nd Year CIT (16 yrs) assists for two periods per day; 3rd Year Senior CIT (17 yrs) assists for three periods per day. All CITs must be in a leadership minor twice per week.

Explore on the camp’s websiteCIT Leadership Program — teens ages 15–17 building leadership skills

Lasting impact — independence, confidence, friendships beyond summer

Overnight camp adds a layer that day programs simply can't replicate. That extended time away from home, in a structured but supportive environment, tends to build confidence and self-reliance. Campers leave with new skills, stronger friendships, and a clearer sense of what they love — all while creating memories that last a lifetime.

Explore on the camp’s websiteLasting impact — independence, confidence, friendships beyond summer

Programs & camp life

Circus arts program — flying trapeze, silks, Spanish web, lyra, juggling, unicycle

The circus program at Camp Pillsbury includes flying trapeze, static trapeze (single, double, and triple), aerial silks, Spanish web, lyra (aerial hoop), juggling, diablo, unicycle, and more. Safety lines enable campers to learn multiple poses while spinning high in the air. The program is designed to let campers stretch new skills and discover their capacities — from beginners to those ready for more advanced combinations.

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Daily schedule — full day from wake-up to curfew

Wake-up is at 8:30 a.m., and breakfast is at 9:00. Majors run through the morning, with lunch at 1:00 p.m. Minors fill the afternoon. Dinner is at 6:00, followed by a rest hour at 6:30, an evening activity at 7:30, and the canteen at 8:30. Curfew is between 9:30 and 11:00 p.m., depending on age. On weekends, campers get a bit of extra time to sleep in.

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For parents & families

Cabin and sleeping arrangements — dorm rooms, roommate requests

Campers sleep in comfortable dorm rooms with two to three campers per room. There are bunk beds and a single bed in each room. Campers can request a friend as a roommate, and if they do not, they are placed in an age-appropriate room. Camp counselors oversee groups of campers separated by boys, girls, and age. Dorms have WiFi access in common rooms. Each dorm has well-ventilated, clean interior bathroom facilities.

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Camp overview — coed sleepaway, ages 6–17, Owatonna MN

Camp Pillsbury is a coed sleepaway camp for kids and teens ages 6 to 17, located on 20 acres in the center of Owatonna, about 45 minutes south of Minneapolis. The campus is less than an hour from the Minneapolis airport and 45 minutes west of the Mayo Clinic in Rochester. There are 13 buildings on campus, including three dormitories, common area lounges, rehearsal rooms, and indoor sports and performance spaces.

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Food and dining — on-site meals, dietary needs accommodated

Healthy, great tasting, hot and cold food choices are offered at every meal. Plenty of vegetable choices, a salad bar with fresh seasonal fruits, and healthy protein options are always available for lunch and dinner. All food is prepared on-site to maintain high nutritional content. Picky eaters and most dietary needs can be catered for.

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Health and medical — first aid staff, doctor on call, Mayo Clinic nearby

Camp Pillsbury has First Aid-certified staff on site, a doctor on call, and the Mayo Clinic nearby — just 45 minutes away in Rochester. Cell phones are allowed in the dorms but not during activities or meals, which keeps kids present in the moment without cutting off contact entirely.

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