Missouri Military Academy Welcomes Approximately 1,200 Summer Program Participants in 2026

Missouri Military Academy welcomed approximately 1,200 participants to its campus and the Mexico, Missouri, community this summer through a combination of Academy-led summer programs and hosted camps for partner organizations.

MMA welcomed Miss Missouri pageant contestants to campus June 6-13. The Academy annually supports the Miss Missouri Scholarship Organization by providing a special facilities rental rate that allows the organization to hold its April orientation and week-long scholarship pageant on campus each June.

A behind-the-scenes view of the Miss Missouri stage from the audio-visual booth in Centennial Gymtorium.

During this year's event, Missouri First Lady Claudia Kehoe visited campus to meet with Miss Missouri contestants. She also toured the Academy and met with MMA President Brigadier General Richard V. Geraci.

President Geraci (right) presents Missouri First Lady Claudia Kehoe with an MMA challenge coin during her visit to the Academy in June 2026.

As part of MMA's partnership with the Miss Missouri Scholarship Organization, Miss Missouri's Outstanding Teen contestants are honored guests at the Academy's Valentine Ball, held annually in February, where they are escorted by selected MMA cadet leaders.

One of the summer's largest programs was the Missouri Junior Cadet Leadership Challenge (JCLC), which brought Army JROTC cadets, instructors and senior ROTC cadets from across Missouri to campus for a week of leadership training. Selected by Missouri's U.S. Army JROTC program as the host site, MMA provided facilities and logistical support for hands-on activities focused on leadership, teamwork, physical fitness and problem-solving.

JCLC participants make use of the rappel tower on MMA's 288-acre back campus. 

MMA also hosted the Missouri Wing Civil Air Patrol (CAP) Cadet Encampment in July. During the program, CAP cadets participated in leadership development, aerospace education, physical training and character-building activities. As the official civilian auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force, Civil Air Patrol prepares young people for service and leadership through programs such as its annual encampment.

Additional summer operations included hosting Aquinas Academy, a weeklong enrichment camp for qualifying sixth- and seventh-grade students who attend Catholic schools in the Diocese of Jefferson City. 

Missouri Military Academy also welcomed boys and girls from across the world to its own summer camps.

MMA Operation Adventure campers take part in a tug-of-war challenge.

Summer Academy gave middle school and high school students an opportunity to strengthen their academic skills while experiencing life at Missouri Military Academy. The program combined classroom instruction with leadership development and campus activities, providing a well-rounded introduction to the MMA experience.

Summer Academy camper Conner George holds up a fish caught in the Academy's Teardrop Lake while computer science instructor Ted Brauker uses a smartphone to test the machine learning model the class developed.

Operation Adventure, a one-week residential camp for ages 8 to 11, challenged participants with outdoor activities that built confidence, teamwork and resilience. Commando Camp, a one-week residential summer camp for ages 12 to 17, provided hands-on military skills adventure experiences and leadership exercises in a structured environment. Mission Command, a two-week residential summer camp for ages 12 to 17, focused on leadership, decision-making and problem-solving through realistic team challenges and military-style challenges.

Operation Adventure camper Greyson Labon focuses during a physical challenge in MMA's field house.

MMA also hosted its Equestrian Camp, a day camp that gave riders opportunities to develop their horsemanship skills while building confidence and responsibility under the guidance of an experienced instructor.

Equestrian camp participants work on their horsemanship skills during a ride on MMA's back campus.

By hosting these programs, Missouri Military Academy continues its longstanding tradition of developing young leaders while welcoming participants and visitors from across Missouri, the nation and around the world to its campus.

These events also contribute to the local economy in the Mexico community while showcasing the Academy's commitment to leadership education and strengthening partnerships with organizations that share its mission of preparing young people for future success.