Camp Ripley has become an environmental classroom for local schools and the community. What could be a better place to learn about the environment than a 53,000 acre laboratory? For the past 8 years, students from the community have trekked to Camp Ripley to learn about protecting and managing the environment. One such program established by the local high school is "Community Environmental Involvement." Replacing the traditional one-hour classroom period is a multi-disciplinary program of Social Studies, English, and Science in a three-hour period.

Periodically, students are paired with local professionals and expected to function as apprentices. This exposes students to activities that cannot be simulated in traditional classroom settings, and gives them real life, on-the-job experience in fields interesting to them. The program is referred to as the "Shadow Program," and is an excellent example of the progressive community involvement Camp Ripley is proud of.

Though the program has been active since 1991 and has received national attention in the field of education, it was not formalized until August 1996. Then, in August 1998, the Minnesota State Legislature appropriated $300,000 to the Mid-State Educational District for expansion and coordination of the program. There are 25 shadow sites to choose from, ranging from wastewater treatment plant operation to the study of many types of wildlife (Figure 10). Other educational programs at Camp Ripley are outlined below.

 * Training soldiers in environmental issues. The Environmental office has produced numerous educational supplements directed towards incoming troops. These products include informational field cards, handbooks, videos, and posters. They inform troops generally about sensitive environmental areas and specifically about the risks of Lyme Disease, where and when it is appropriate to cut brush and dig trenches, and how to identify poison ivy and other important species.

 * Public awareness programs and group activities related to natural resource conservation. Presentations and group activities by Camp Ripley Environmental office staff reach about 5,000 students each year. Audiences for these programs include school, church, boy and girl scouts, 4-H, and other youth groups. Programs include an annual two-week Youth Camp with nature hikes, field classes, and training in field techniques. Other projects include an annual Water Festival for Morrison County, National Public Lands Appreciation Day and Earth Day.