• Local catering can be arranged, or you can make your own meals as a team and "potluck" at the lodge (the lodge has a microwave, two pizza ovens, lots of freezer space, two big electric roasters, several big platters, big hot beverage containers, big crock pots, etc.) (Click on photo at left to view a typical family reunion "potluck" at the lodge.)

• 86" projector screen available (you will need to bring your own overhead or other projector and laptop computer with PowerPoint stuff.  Note: we do have a wimpy little plastic 5x magnification projector that you can use to magnify onto the screen a piece of paper - again, it ain't much, so plan to bring a projector if you really want to teach or show)

• BOSE CD player and Microphone (and stand) available

• Entertainment & Team Building possibilities (sunset cruises on pontoon, canoe races, horseshoe or volleyball tournaments, campfire roasts, sing-a-longs, fishing, reflexology intro, aromatherapy class, drumming circles, etc. etc. etc.)

• Simple bathroom with shower available

• Make the space your own (click photo at left to view how this kayak class arranged for their Silent Auction.  NOTE:  since the new roof was added in 2010, the two support posts in middle of room are gone -- more open space for yoga?  :))

We've had . . . .

• drum circle retreats,

• kayak workshops,

• business "team-building" retreats,

• scrapbook groups,

• book club retreats,

• quilting classes,

• small group fishing tournaments,

• bicycle groups who've appreciated we're located a mile from the Heartland Bike Trail, (they also took advantage of a local float plane, whose pilot happily took the group on half hour rides directly from our beach!)

• and lots and lots of friend and family reunions. 

We specialize in small women's groups who enjoy a get-away "up north" in the woods in lakeside cabins enjoying each other's company, and trying out our spa services (free aromatherapy class, lakeside sauna, drum circles, on-site reflexology and massage, ear candling and Ionic Detox Foot Bath sessions, etc.)  Check out our unique Spring Healer's Retreat and Fall Relaxation Retreat.

AROMATHERAPY products    Shop for bath oils, lotions and potions, or come to the free weekly Intro to Aromatherapy Class in summer.  See aromatherapy page for more info.

BOAT RENTALS  Fishing boat/motors and pontoon boats are docked here for guests to rent.  Click here for rates and packages.  (Any non-motorized boat is FREE to borrow by any guest:  details here.)

DUCK DOCK   We have a special dock for wild ducks in front of the sundeck, where we place corn.  Many a guest have enjoyed the antics of Ducky Olympics.

GAME ROOMS  include

• Pool table
• CD jukebox
• Antique mini-Ferris wheel
• Foosball table
• Pinball machine

and non-violent arcades like . . .

• Frogger (classic, dude!)
• Arkanoid
• Crystal Castles
• Pole Position
• Super Mario Brothers
• Multi-game: trivia, poker, twenty-one, wheel of fortune
• Minesweeper
• NEW vintage Ms. PacMan!

There are also dozens and dozens of puzzles and board games one may borrow for free. 

puzzles seem irresistible to many different generations of family

GASOLINE   We offer premium gasoline both mixed and straight.

GIFTS & T-SHIRTS   CWC t-shirts, sweatshirts, jackets, hats, mugs, and jewelry are available for your shopping fun.

INTERNET ACCESS   FREE!!!  Wireless internet access available at lodge.  Bring your own PC laptop.  Most cabins will now receive signal, at least on the decks (many guests have stated they had no problems getting signal inside their cabin - it'll depend on the humidity, density of foliage, the age and power of your computer).  If you have trouble, always feel free to hang out in the lodge where there are electrical outlets, tables to spread out on, a guaranteed signal and ducks to watch while you chew thoughtfully on your pencil composing an e-mail.  If you are over age 21, you are welcome to access the lodge guest computer, also.  There is an extra ethernet cable you can direct-wire to your laptop if you wish to use a more secure line (for banking, private work tasks, etc.)  It is connected directly from the router -- ask staff at lodge to show you if you need it.

LAUNDRY   Three commercial Maytag Neptune coin-operated washers and SIX dryers are located in arcade room (open 24 hours).  Yep, we almost have our own laundromat!  Bring your own liquid detergent or buy some from us @ a quarter per load.  (Remember to exchange your bills for quarters during lodge hours or bring your own quarters!)

LIBRARY   Select a book or magazine and curl up in front of the stone fireplace.  Try out a puzzle.  Borrow a native wildlife, bird or tree book to identify nature's creations.  Leaf through our scrapbooks on Lodge history and old photos.    100's of fiction adult and kids books to borrow while you're on vacation.

LIVE BAIT   Night crawlers are for sale at $2.50 dozen.  We also have minnow buckets you can borrow for free if needed, and we are looking into the possibility of wax worms.   We have previously had minnows and leeches for sale, but have had trouble with keeping them fresh as different weeks of people seem to have erratic bait needs, ha.  Hence, we recommend guests either bring their own bait, use artificial lures, make do with night crawlers for sale at the lodge, or simply drive either 2 miles into Akeley behind Em's Cafe for minnows, 5 miles west to Nevis gas station, or 8 miles east to Walker to Shriver's Bait downtown where they keep fresh minnows and leeches in consistently fresh bulk amounts with a variety of choices.

MAPS & BROCHURES    Free brochures, maps, area coupons and info.

SNACK BAR & FOOD   The Snack Bar features gourmet pizzas, garlic cheese bread, corn dogs, chips, nuts, jerky, candy, soda pop, ice, juice and ice cream treats.

SPA SERVICES  Ionic Detox Foot Baths, Ear Candling and other in-house Massage, Reflexology and Healing Touch services.

SUNDECK   A spacious sundeck, literally "on the water" overlooking the lake, provides a perfect lounging area for catchin' a few rays or rocking away in our deck chairs, waiting for sunset. 

Telephone/ CELL PHONE range:   Most will work (esp. At&T) with great reception here.  Verizon seems to be the only one with inconsistant bars - we've been told it's because the company rents satellite dishes and that we are located on the cusp of two ranges.  Regardless, many Verizon customers still use their phones - just use 'em on the end of a dock or stay still while you chat.   (If you'd like to make a quick local call, you may use the phone in the lodge.)

TV & MOVIE AREA   Rainy day relief!!  An entertainment area with two loveseats houses a television and videotape player. 

. . . . . Popcorn available on rainy days while showing family films.

TV/VCR combos to rent: We have two newer 13" TV/VCR combos which are available for rent at $5 per day, or $25 for the week at your cabin.   (Used for games guests bring themselves, or to borrow complimentary vhs films below.)

VIDEOTAPE LIBRARY   We have over 200 family films to borrow for FREE.

WOOD BUNDLES $5 bundle, or 3 for $12.  These are very heavy bundles, so send your strongest teenager down to haul it back to your campfire ring, or borrow the wheel barrow. 

PLEASE DO NOT BRING YOUR OWN FIREWOOD.  The MN DNR has now issued a request that no firewood should be moved around the state in order to contain several invasive wood boring invasive species (i.e. ash borer, gypsy moth) from spreading.  These insects have been spotted in and around the twin cities and surrounding states.  So again, the DNR has requested that we do not carry firewood from one area of the state to another.  You may scavenge wood from our wooded trails, or purchase bundles of wood from us or from the gas stations in town.    Burn it where you buy it!