PERRYVILLE, Mo. — In 1934, a John Deere tractor was put to work on the Eckenfels Farm in Ste. Genevieve, Missouri. It stayed on that land for generations, a piece of working family history — until Ranken Technical College instructor Brien Dover purchased it in recent years. This July, that very same John Deere becomes a working classroom.
Ranken Technical College’s “Rust to Run” Summer Adventure Academy (July 6–10) will challenge rising 9th–12th graders to restore the original 1934 tractor to running condition over five days at Ranken’s Perryville campus. Students will work on every major system: engine, electrical, body, and tires, following real shop procedures under the guidance of Ranken instructors and students.
Working together, campers will tackle every major system of the 90-year-old machine: performing engine tune-ups, diagnosing and repairing electrical issues, replacing worn hardware, sanding and refinishing the body, and mounting new tires. Students will follow real shop safety procedures throughout, just as professional technicians do on the job.
The tractor’s history is part of the lesson. “This machine worked a real farm in this region for decades,” said Brien Dover, Ranken instructor and the tractor’s owner. “When these students fire it up at the end of the week, they’re not just proving they learned something, they’re bringing a piece of local history back to life.”
The camp runs Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and is open to students who will be entering grades 9 through 12 in the fall of 2026. Enrollment is $200 per student.
Camp At A Glance
Camp Name: Rust to Run — Summer Adventure Academy
Dates: July 6–10, 2026 | Monday–Friday
Hours: 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Location: Ranken Technical College Southeast (Perryville, MO)
Age Group: Rising 9th–12th Graders
Cost: $200 per student
Skills Students Will Practice
- Engine tune-ups and diagnostics
- Electrical repair and rewiring
- Hardware replacement and installation
- Bodywork: sanding, priming, and painting
- Tire mounting and replacement
- Safe shop procedures: protective gear, proper tool & equipment use
- Teamwork and problem-solving under real project conditions
The camp is part of Ranken’s broader Summer Adventure Academy series, which offers hands-on technical programming for middle and high school students across its five locations.
The Ranken Southeast location in Perryville serves students across the southeast Missouri region.
For registration information, visit ranken.edu or contact Julie Lakin at jglakin@ranken.edu / 314-286-3678.
About Ranken Technical College
Ranken Technical College is a nonprofit, accredited institution headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri, with locations serving communities across the region including Perryville. Ranken offers technical degree and certificate programs in fields including automotive, diesel, electrical, and construction technologies, preparing graduates for high-demand careers in the skilled trades.