Encampment Photos

Each days photos will be posted by noon the next day.

**Update 6/27/23 -- Some ALC Photos in Day 2 were found to be in the BLC Folder; if your cadet is in ALC, please be sure to check that folder as well.**

EPS Photos (April 28-30 2023)

BLC and ALC Day 1 Photos (Saturday 24 June 2023)

BLC Day 2 Photos (Saturday 25 June 2023)

ALC Day 2 Photos (Sunday 25 June 2023)

BLC and ALC Day 3 Photos (Monday 26 June 2023)

C/Col Lillian Glover's Spaatz Presentation at the 2023 Encampment

BLC and ALC Day 4 Photos (Tuesday 27 June 2023)

BLC and ALC Day 5 Photos (Wednesday 28 June 2023)

BLC and ALC Day 6 photos (Thursday 29 June 2023)

BLC and ALC Day 7 photos (Friday 30 June 2023)

BLC and ALC Day 8 (graduation) photos (Saturday 1 July 2023)

 

Encampment Overview

On this page, you'll learn more about Encampment activities in the Minnesota Wing. Minnesota Wing Encampment is a highly anticipated activity each year.  Touted as the most influential week in a cadet's career, expectations are high, and Encampment delivers! 

• First year students attend the Basic Learning Course (BLC), learning followership, teamwork, and self-discipline. 
• Second year students can attend the Advanced Leadership Course (ALC), a more intensive leadership and teamwork training school.

Cadet Encampment is “an immersion into the full challenges and opportunities of cadet life”

This one-week course is held annually, mid-summer, at Camp Ripley, near Little Falls MN. The purpose is for cadets to develop leadership skills, investigate the aerospace sciences and related careers, commit to a habit of regular exercise and reinforce their moral character.

Encampment is open to cadets who have completed Achievement 1 (first promotion) and have permission from their parents/guardian and unit commander.
Cadets under the age of 13 are required to attend MN Encampment Preparatory School, a weekend course, held April 28-30 2023, prior to encampment.

Cost and Refunds

The cost for Encampment week for all cadet students (BLC and ALC) and cadet staff is TBD. 
This covers all meals, materials, and lodging for Encampment week.

Due the complex nature of this activity, no refunds are available after applications close.
Refund requests received prior to applications closing will be submitted for consideration to Wing DCP Lt Col Mary Albright. 
Refund requests for Encampment that are approved are subject to a $50 administrative fee.

Getting ready for Encampment

Getting ready for Encampment is exciting!  For many students, this could be their first time away from home for an extended period. 
Want more info about the Encampment experience?  Read about it on the first-year Encampment page. 
Don't forget to review the packing list to make sure you've got everything you need.  

Transportation

Encampment and the preparatory activities leading up to it have historically been held at Camp Ripley National Guard Base, near Little Falls, MN.  For many squadrons, that's a significant drive, so squadrons often coordinate shared transportation to and from Encampment. 
See our Transportation Information page for more details, and to see the arrival information for initial processing for your Encampment student.

Communicating with your cadet

During Encampment, first year students aren't allowed access to technology, and therefore can't post to social media (e.g. Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, Tiktok, etc.).  They also won't be able to call or text you during the week.  However, we have set up a message system to send your cadets messages, and we support sending encouraging messages to your cadet during Encampment!  Check out our Contact a Cadet page for more details.

If an emergency arises and you need to get in touch with your student, please see our Encampment Emergency Contacts page.

Graduation

All parents, family, and friends are invited to join us on the last day of Encampment to witness the formal Pass in Review ceremony, and participate in the cadet graduation ceremony.  If you'd like to attend, find more details on our Graduation info page.