Ask a Trooper: Patrol passes on lessons at camp
Published 10:15 am Friday, August 14, 2015
Question: I would like to know more about Legionville School Patrol Camp. I saw your Tweet on Twitter last week. (Twitter:MSPPIO_SOUTH)
Answer: This was my first summer as an instructor at Legionville School Patrol Camp. I taught 155 students from all over the state. They were a great group of kids who were there to learn, but also had a lot of fun while attending this camp.
Sgt. Troy Christianson
Ask a Trooper
Minnesota State Patrol
The camp is a place where students are taught the fundamentals of school patrol and school bus patrol. It is located just north of Brainerd and is operated by the American Legion, using State Patrol Troopers as instructors. It is believed to be the only school patrol training camp in the world.
School Patrol training itself was started (informally) back in 1920, when Sister Carmella asked the older boys to help the younger children cross the streets from school in St. Paul.
Earle Brown (former Minnesota Governor and former Minnesota “Highway Patrol” Chief), formalized the program and got the Highway Patrol (now called Minnesota State Patrol since about 1974) involved with the instruction at the Earle Brown Farm in the Twin Cities. Based on records from American Legion personnel, former training locations included the Crow Wing County Fairgrounds and Camp Ripley.
Besides school and bus patrol training by troopers, additional instructors are there to teach swimming, canoeing, first aid training and many other activities and games. The camp is a very active place.
Parents can pay for their children to go, although there are also a limited numbers of scholarships available each year through local schools, State Patrol Troopers Association, local American Legion posts and numerous additional organizations. AAA is also a supporter of the camp.
This year the camp ran from the middle of June through mid-august August. I am looking forward to teaching a new group of students next year!
If you would like to learn more about the camp you can visit their website at www.legionville.org/
If you have any questions concerning traffic related laws or issues in Minnesota send your questions to Sgt. Troy Christianson – Minnesota State Patrol at 2900 48th Street NW, Rochester MN 55901-5848. (Or reach him at, Troy.Christianson@state.mn.us) Twitter:MSPPIO_SOUTH
