Camper's Paradise Information

Update: Summer, 2010:  Camper's Paradise now has a website and contact information!

Photos from our 2010 vacation

Camper's Paradise, located on Goat Island in Lake Belle Taine near Nevis, MN is where our family has vacationed annually since 1990.  We refer to it fondly as "The Goat".

Audio clip of a live performance of Man Of Constant Sorrow by "The Goat Group" (Various artists, mainly my sister Diane, my nephew, Carl and me) recorded live at Music Nite at the Camper's Paradise "Lodge" on the island Tuesday, August 8, 2006.  Check back for more clips and photos later (I'm actually typing this from Camper's Paradise while still on vacation, but it is a little windy right now so an indoor project provides for a nice break).

Here's a song I created, recorded and produced using sounds from Lake Belle Taine and cabin #1 at Camper's Paradise:  Island Song 15 Aug 09.

And not related directly to Camper's Paradise, but still pretty cool a "bootleg" recording of the Jason Mraz song "I'm Yours" performed by Paul Nye, my sister Diane Sauer and the Woodtick Theater group on August 13, 2009.  "The Tick" is located in Akeley, about 15 minutes from Camper's Paradise, and a great way to spend an evening, especially if the weather is warm and their A/C is working.

Map of Camper's Paradise near Nevis, MN  Postcard of Camper's Paradise - Goat Island

Front Side from 2010 Camper's Paradise letter to guests   Back Side from 2010 Camper's Paradise letter to guests - with map

Mapquest Map of Camper's Paradise  Google Maps View GPS Coordinates: Long: -94.88937, Lat: 46.94149. 

 

It is with great sorrow that we note the July 2009 passing of Jean Swaggert, founder of Camper's Paradise.

Jean Swaggert 

Swaggert, Jean 1925 - 2009 Jean Mary McKenna was born August 31st, 1925 to Jack and Mary McKenna in South Minneapolis. She was a 1943 graduate of Minneapolis Central High. She had early aspirations to music and clothing design; however, found business to be her later life's interest. She enjoyed the outdoors, changing seasons while pheasant and deer hunting with her family. She participated in many outdoor winter activities also. In 1960 she and her husband started Camper's Paradise in Northern Minnesota which is still in operation. Jean was preceded in death by her husband, H.R. "Chris" Swaggert, May 22, 2008 and is survived by her five children, Kathleen Nichols (Marsh), Loni Cochrane (Scott), Pat and Lynn Swaggert, Jon and Anita Swaggert and James and Vicki Swaggert; 12 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren. She passed away on July 7th overlooking Lake Belle Taine with family and friends at her bedside. Services will be held Sunday, July 19th at Our Lady of the Pines Catholic church in Nevis, Minnesota at 3 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Joseph's Area Health Services: Home Care Hospice, 600 Pleasant Ave. S., Park Rapids, MN 56470 and/or to Our Lady of the Pines Catholic Church, 205 Main St W, Nevis, MN 56467.