Scholarships | Community of Minnesota Resorts

CMR Scholarships

The next scholarship window is February 15, 2025 – March 15, 2025.

Each year, the CMR offers scholarships to qualified high school students, current undergraduates, or technical school students of children and grandchildren of CMR members.

The Scholarship Committee - consisting of several of your fellow resorters and guided by your CMR Scholarship Liaison, reviews the applications. Don't hesitate to contact us at CMRScholarship@Minnesota-Resorts.com if you have any questions!

Application & Eligibility Details

The Community of Minnesota Resorts (CMR) was established in 1984 with the theme, "Resorters Helping Resorters." One of our goals is to provide scholastic achievement within the resorting community. Scholarships first became available in March 1996 from the previously pledged gift from the Minnesota Office of Tourism, and at that time, the CMR Scholarship Program was formed.

For 2024, the CMR was pleased to offer three generous scholarships through donations from sponsors: the Marc Bloomquist Memorial Scholarship, the Pine Insurance Agency Scholarship, and the CMR Scholarship. Each scholarship recipient is awarded $1500 for tuition and/or related fees to aid students in pursuing their academic or vocational advancement.

Who is eligible to receive a scholarship?

The scholarship funds are made available to children and/or grandchildren of CMR Resort and Campground members.
An eligible member has been a CMR member for at least two consecutive years and is currently in good standing.
A high school senior planning to attend a four-year college, a community college, or a vocational/technical college.
A current college undergraduate or technical school student.

How are applications obtained?

Between February 15 through March 15 on this page.

For consideration, the submission period for all required documents is between February 15 and March 15.

Submissions are received directly by the CMR Scholarship team. As the committee chairperson, the Scholarship Liaison will present each submission anonymously to the scholarship committee (consisting of at least three members and one chairperson) designated by the CMR Board of Directors.

The CMR Scholarship Liaison will contact recipients by May of the scholarship year. CMR will send scholarship dollars to the respective college or trade school for the selected recipients on or before September 1 of that same year. In addition, the CMR will publish the recipient’s names, photos, and essays on all CMR communication platforms.

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact the CMR Scholarship Liaison at CMRScholarship@Minnesota-Resorts.com.

Congratulations 2024 CMR Scholarship Recipients!

Marc Bloomquist Scholarship Recipient

Briana Miller

Briana plans to attend the University of Wisconsin, Madison to pursue a degree in Finance and Commercial Real Estate.

Daughter of Patty & Kevin Miller
Woodland Beach Resort, Deerwood

How has living and/or working at a campground shaped your present character and your future plans?

Living and working at a resort offers invaluable lessons that will extend far beyond my college life. Firstly, it has instilled a strong work ethic, teaching me the importance of dedication, punctuality, and professionalism. These traits, typical of a fast-paced resort environment, will be foundational for my success in my career path post-graduation.

Moreover, the experience provides a firsthand understanding of business operations. From managing guest requests to overseeing daily tasks, I’ve gained many insights into hospitality management. This knowledge has given me a deeper appreciation for the complexities of running a business, which I have been able to apply myself now and will be used endlessly in my future career and business endeavors.

Additionally, working at a resort has enhanced my interpersonal skills. Constant interaction with guests and colleagues creates strong communication skills, conflict resolution, and teamwork abilities. These interpersonal skills are vital for building relationships and navigating professional environments beyond college. Overall, the experience of living and working at a resort creates a diverse skill set that transcends academic boundaries. It fosters a work ethic, business knowledge, and interpersonal skills crucial for success in the professional world, ensuring a meaningful impact on my life long after graduation.

Pine Insurance Agency Scholarship Recipient

Cristian Karakash

Cristian plans to attend University of Minnesota Duluth to pursue a degree in Political Science.

Son of John & Shaun Karakash
Retreat Lodge Resort, Cook

How has living and/or working at a resort shaped your present character?

Growing up on our resort on Lake Vermilion has been an incredibly unique and fortunate opportunity for me to have in my life. I credit my early resort life with contributing to my aquatic interests in serving militarily in the Navy specifically. On top of this, having the chance to meet a diverse group of guests each year has helped to develop my perspective on meeting new people and engaging with the general public in a normal standard, granting me opportunities to exchange stories and learn from our guests over the years, something I cherish and contribute to my interest in the field of Political Science.

I find that resort life has significantly aided my survival skills and knowledge of boating, fishing, swimming, and other fundamentals of water-based environments which I expect should benefit me for the rest of my life. One of the most notable parts of resort life has been seeing the years of dedicated work my parents have put in, alongside the direct results of this work. In turn, I believe I grew up being more aware of how critical a developed work ethic is to life collectively, preparing me for my future.

CMR Scholarship Recipient

Alexa Johannsen

Alexa is currently attending the North Dakota University, Fargo pursuing a degree in Radiologic Sciences.

Daughter of Vanessa & Ben Jacobson
Hiawatha Beach Resort, Walker

How will your experience living and/or working at a resort in your life be meaningful in your life beyond college?

I grew up on a family-owned resort on Leech Lake, MN. Hiawatha Beach Resort has been a huge part of my life and left an even bigger impact. Numerous individuals in my age group exhibit deficiencies in social skills, particularly in interactions with older generations, this is because social media and technology has become our primary modes of communication. Social skills are very important in professional life, as they are required to be able to do well in job interviews and communicate with future employers and coworkers.

Growing up on a resort you converse with all ages which has been a very useful tool. Being at the resort helped grow my communication skills that will help me succeed in my future career. The resort life has also instilled within me a strong work ethic and an unwavering determination to pursue my life goals. The most impactful thing that I learned from growing up on a resort was doing whatever it took to be a light in someone's life. I have no doubt that these skills will take me far in my future endeavors.

Thank You!

We want to thank CMR members for sponsoring scholarships through membership dues and donations, and Pine Insurance for making these scholarship awards possible.