The education program in the base camps tended to focus on the men’s subject matter interests.  While the camps overall focused on education for postwar reconstruction and relief, other courses garnered interest in the areas of pacifism, Bible study, skills acquisition and cooperative living. 

The first Brethren CPS unit established for relief and rehabilitation training for men assigned to the China Unit for ambulance and emergency relief work, brought fourteen men from CPS camps to Camp Lagro. The men studied Chinese language, first aid and elementary medical procedures through a special arrangement with Selective Service that freed them from regular camp work for this study.  During the six week period, the men helped pack drugs, medical and surgical supplies.  One of the men, Howard Sollenberger, experienced in the China field, taught relief techniques and Dr. Carl Coffman, a medical missionary to China worked with the men.  Near the end of the training period the State Department blocked the assignment of passports to CPS men.  

Shortly after the refusal, the unit members performed emergency duty at Goshen, Indiana after it had been struck by a tornado.  The men worked there for a month, before returning to Lagro.  The China Unit was officially disbanded to the disappointment of many in CPS.  Eventually some of the fourteen men served in Castañer, Puerto Rico.

The Salmonie Peace Pipe newspaper was published from July 1941 through November 1943. The men published a camp paper Common Ground July through September of 1942, and also Camp Lagro Newsletter with issues in 1941, 1942 and 1943.  In 1942 the men also published Louis Whitaker Newsletter.