At the Legionville Educational Center and Summer Camp, located north of Brainerd, Minnesota, children are learning vital safety skills while building lasting friendships. For over seven decades, this unique camp has combined traditional summer camp experiences with specialized safety patrol training, allowing campers to become certified crossing guards for their schools.
Unique Training and Lasting Friendships
According to Adam Felten, the camp’s director, Legionville is the only safety patrol camp of its kind in the United States. The camp, founded in 1956 on the shores of North Long Lake, aims to equip children with practical leadership skills while fostering camaraderie among participants. “We do it for the kids, and we want them to have fun,” Felten stated. “We want them to take something home.”
Every summer, campers participate in hands-on training led by members of the Minnesota State Patrol, including demonstrations with law enforcement equipment. “The state patrol helicopter comes and lands back here in the field,” Felten explained. On Thursdays, the patrol also showcases a canine unit, allowing children to interact with the dogs.
Camper Stella Anderson from White Bear Lake emphasized the constant activity at Legionville. “There’s always an activity. You’re never just sitting around,” she noted. The camp offers a quintessential experience, embodying the spirit of summer in Minnesota’s northwoods.
Comprehensive Activities and Lifelong Memories
Sgt. Jesse Grabow, a public information officer for the State Patrol, has been involved with the camp since 2011. He highlighted the importance of teaching pedestrian safety as a foundational life skill, particularly as campers approach driving age. “It’s a good way to teach that life skill of pedestrian safety,” Grabow remarked.
Days at the camp typically begin with safety training, transitioning into a range of activities such as sports, canoeing, and talent shows. Long-time campers including Erika Eilterson, Ava Place, and Zoey Harding have formed strong bonds over the years. “We were in our cabin our first year and they were so welcoming and nice,” Place shared. The group, which reunites annually, cherishes their time together.
Campers are encouraged to disconnect from technology, as cell phones are not permitted during their week at camp. “It’s super fun to have a whole week without phones, away from screens,” Harding said, appreciating the chance to engage fully with her peers.
Legionville has evolved significantly since its inception, expanding beyond safety patrol training to include a variety of recreational activities. The camp facilities cover 495 acres, featuring seven cabins and designated areas for sports such as gaga ball, basketball, and disc golf. Each session concludes with a graduation ceremony, where campers receive diplomas for their achievements.
Felten noted that many campers return year after year, often bringing their children and grandchildren. “At graduation on Friday, we always ask if there are any alumni here. There’s a lot of grandparents in the audience that raise their hands,” he said, highlighting the camp’s enduring legacy.
All campers participate in friendly competitions, including a “cleanest cabin” contest that encourages creativity and teamwork. Eilterson shared that they often perform dances or tell stories during cleanliness inspections to add an element of fun. “It really is that quintessential camp,” Grabow emphasized, noting that friendships formed at Legionville can last a lifetime.
With a diverse range of activities, including CPR training and canoe races, Legionville continues to be a place where kids not only learn essential skills but also create cherished memories. Felten mentioned that approximately 98% of campers attend on scholarships provided by the American Legion, ensuring that the camp remains accessible to all.
As summer rolls on, Legionville remains a beacon of community, learning, and friendship for young people across Minnesota and beyond.
