Even teachers and principals are willing to admit during the final week of school there is often very little learning going on.

But that's not necessarily the case this year at Carter Lake Elementary School on JBLM-McChord Field.

This week school staff members hosted Camp Eagle, an outdoor learning camp that provided a wide range of activities for students to close out the school year. The three-day camp featured various mini workshops focused on teaching students subjects that reach beyond the classroom walls and into outdoor life.

"We can keep them engaged in learning through the various activities," said principal Paul Douglas. "To (the students), they're just having fun. But kids are getting the education they normally wouldn't get."

Students decked out in tie-dyed camp shirts moved through different stations throughout the day, focusing on subjects such as bicycle safety, boating safety, basic first aid, and watching a military working dog demonstration. A ladder fire truck from JBLM Main even made an appearance so students could conduct their egg drop experiment.

JBLM airmen and soldiers ran several of the demonstrations, along with Department of Fish and Wildlife officers and volunteers who work at the horse stables on McChord Field.

"They've all really stepped up to our request to have them here," said Peggy Iwagoshi, the school librarian who, along with teacher Charlotte Peck, helped organize the camp.  "We really appreciate their support."

Bringing military members into an active role in the learning process is something the school prides itself on, Douglas said.

"Our focus has been inviting them in and really making the school the hub of the community," he said.

The 62nd Security Forces Squadron brought out its military working dog team, showing students how each handler works with their dog to subdue and apprehend criminals.

"It's an awesome opportunity for us to enhance the students' learning capabilities and show them what these dogs are capable of," said Staff Sgt. Michael Dugan, a K-9 trainer. With his handlers shouting commands, Tim, a Belgian Malinois, fought off two handlers posing as attackers. The "ohs" and "ahs" erupted from the crowd of students as Dugan swung Tim in a circle while his jaws were locked onto the padding on his arm. 

"We always jump at the chance - in any way we can - to educate and enlighten the public," said Dugan, who was enjoying his first summer home from a deployment in nearly three years. "It makes us happy and proud that we can provide a service like that."

Across the school yard, Sgt. MarioMiguel Sevilla, a solider in Madigan Army Medical Center's consolidated education unit, and Julie Vasquez, a nurse at the McChord Clinic's education department, were teaching a group of fourth- and fifth-graders how to properly pressure dress a wound and the ins and outs of the Heimlich Maneuver.

"Everybody came together when they found out we were coming out to an elementary school," said Sevilla, who said he had no problem lining up volunteers to work the demonstrations. "It's a good way for soldiers to get some experience teaching others."