When the staff at Prairie River Camp near Bricelyn was looking for a fall activity that would bring families out to have fun together, they found they needed to look no further than the field of corn right next to the camp.

The camp is hosting its first corn maze, which is open on weekends through Nov. 1.

“It’s popular and it’s good family fun,” said Deb Mertens, the corn maze manager.

Added assistant camp director Renae Groskreutz, “We can plant a field, create something, have fun and then harvest it.”

While the maze is like any other in that people enter in one place then try to find the way out, this maze also includes a scriptural and historical treasure hunt. People get cards to mark in answering the trivia questions posted inside the maze. “If their card shows a symbol when they’re done, they got it all right,” Groskreutz explained. There’s a treat for those getting it all correct.

She said the maze is a smaller than many at 4.5 acres and takes people about an hour if they’re doing the historical and scriptural treasure hunt, or about half an hour if they just walk it.

Like most mazes, there is a design. Mertens said people are allowed to see the aerial photo after they’ve been through the maze. “It’s a secret,” she said.

People don’t need to worry much about mud in the maze, Mertens said. “There are grass pathways and really good drainage. Even after a rain it’s not muddy,” she added.

The pair got the idea to do a maze last fall. Groskreutz had been in one once in Wisconsin; Mertens had never been in one.

“We want families to go to something that isn’t haunted,” Groskreutz said. “There’s so much more to this season than Halloween.”

In addition to the large maze, there are three smaller lawn mazes as well for people to try: an arrow maze, a rope maze and a red, white and blue maze. Other things people can check out for no additional charge while at the maze are: a children’s playground, bouncy room, mini golf, disc golf, wagon ride tour of camp and walking trails.

The corn maze is open weekends through Nov. 1. Hours are Fridays from 7 to 9 p.m., Saturdays from 2 to 9 p.m. and Sundays from 2 to 8 p.m. There are special hours during the Minnesota Education Association school break Oct. 16 and 17, from 2 to 9 p.m.

Admission is $5 for those 12 years and older and $3 for children 5 to 11 years.

There is a family rate of $18. Groups of 30 or more people should call for an appointment; the phone number is (507) 327-7047.

Prairie River Camp is located three miles south of Interstate 90 on Highway 253.

Already, Mertens and Groskreutz are planning for next year. “Next year, we’re going to include the whole field of corn,” Groskreutz said.