Youth Camp is staffed by a group of approximately 114 volunteers, made up of Guard members, spouses, retirees and qualified dependents. Additionally each camp hosts 15-20 Counselors-In-Training (CITs)- youth ages 16-18. These young people learn leadership, counseling and mediation techniques while working with the campers. Each volunteer is required to attend mandatory training sessions that ensure they have up-to-date skills in first aid, safety issues and counseling techniques. The broad range of professional skills found in the staff volunteers helps to make Youth Camp one of the premier youth activities in the National Guard. These volunteers include one nurse with each group of campers, a staff doctor and physician assistant, as well as security, communications, logistics and a complete administrative staff. The camper-to-counselor ratio is six-to-one not counting the nurse assigned to each group. This makes small group instruction and supervision excellent and enables the staff time to devote attention to children needing one-on-one assistance. Staff personnel volunteer not only their time and money in support of Youth Camp but their total personal commitment to these kids. The bond that forms between counselors and campers is very strong. Many of the campers maintain contact with their counselors long after Camp is over.

Youth Camp is a nonprofit corporation relying on donations and fund raising activities to support itself. Through the donation of money and equipment, Youth Camp has acquired bicycles, helmets, life jackets and many other items needed to support the Camp operations. The generous donations made by individuals, businesses, and civic and veterans groups has helped to keep the total cost of Youth Camp to only $100.00 per camper.

Camp Ripley and the surrounding communities can be proud of the Minnesota National Guard Youth Camp. It is a premier program found throughout the National Guard that positively impacts the citizens of Minnesota. Youth Camp is accredited by the American Camping Association. Anyone wishing information should contact the National Guard Youth Camp at 1-763-670-1251.