Welcome to the Camp Alpha Website!  My name is Ken Gagner

and I am the lead teacher and director at camp.  Space flight has always held a special interest in my life and with a career in teaching I have been able to share this with others.  The fall of 2009 started my twenty-fourth year in education.  Currently I teach fifth grade at Morris Area Elementary in addition to coaching girl’s basketball and senior high football.  I love the enthusiasm and energy that our young people have and know that our future will be bright!

I received my BS Degree from Bemidji State University and a Masters Degree in Education from the University of Minnesota. I have had the privilege of being named the MN Elementary Science Teacher of the Year and the MN Aerospace Educator of the Year.  I have been fortunate to train with NASA at both the Jet Propulsion Laboratory and Kennedy Space Center. In the spring of 2006 our science program was recognized for Excellence in Education by U.S. Senator Mark Dayton. I continue to search for new and exciting activities to share with our campers.

Camp Alpha started as a way for me to share my favorite science activities without the time restrictions of a normal school day.  Camp is cosponsored by Morris Area Community Education and the University of Minnesota, Morris.  We had 13 campers our first year and now average between 30 – 40 campers.  Over 41% of our campers have returned for a second year and 16% have returned for three or more years.  We take pride in providing an enjoyable and learning filled experience in a safe and protective environment.