Gallery: The Russian Summer Camps Where Students Box and Assemble AK-47s

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    Sarah Blesener
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    Target practice with Airsoft guns at a camp in Borodino.
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    Sarah Blesener
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    Kids at a public school in Dmitrov compete to see how quickly they can don gas masks.
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    Sarah Blesener
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    Teens box in the after school in the Diveevo Public School gymnasium.
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    Sarah Blesener
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    Teens after a drill where they practice quickly assembling and loading rifles in Borodino. The weapons are real, but can’t fire.
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    Sarah Blesener
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    Teens take an afternoon off at the lake.
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    Sarah Blesener
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    The Historical-War Camp in Borodino offers reenactments from different wars. Here a group of students are dressed in Soviet uniforms from WWII.
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    Sarah Blesener
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    Campers play tug-of-war in Borodino.
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    Sarah Blesener
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    Campers in their tent at Orthodox Warrior camp in Diveevo.
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    Sarah Blesener
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    Students practice with Airsoft guns in Borodino.
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    Sarah Blesener
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    Heroes of Russian history (including President Vladimir Putin) adorn a school wall in Diveevo.
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    Sarah Blesener
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    A 17-year-old student takes a breather after a drill. He’s preparing for a fake war at the Orthodox Warrior camp in Diveevo.
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    Sarah Blesener
    12

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    A fake grenade is launched as campers practice with Airsoft guns.
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    Sarah Blesener
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    Campers ride horses at war camp in Borodino.
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    Sarah Blesener
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    A teenager studies a map during a 12-hour drill in the forests around Diveevo.
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    Sarah Blesener
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    Kids watch war movies at summer camp in Borodino.
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    Sarah Blesener
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    A student participating in tactical training in Diveevo.
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