National Cadet Special Activities of the Civil Air Patrol
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The following includes Civil Air Patrol Cadet Program national activities as of 2008.[1] Civil Air Patrol's National Cadet Special Activities offer a broad range of largely aviation-related summer activities. Most are a week long and they are located throughout the country. This list highlights many, but not all, current and more longstanding activities.
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[edit] CAP sponsored (exclusively)
[edit] National Blue Beret Activity
Participants help conduct EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, the world's largest airshow. This is a 'working vacation' and duties include aircraft marshaling, crowd control and ELT deactivation.
[edit] National Flight Academy (Airplane & Glider)
Cadets, who are at least 16 years old, and have completed Encampment, are also eligible for the week-long National Flight Academy (NFA). Here, cadets go through instductive training both on ground in the air. Cadets may choose whether they would like to fly gliders or powered, so there's at least a choice for every cadet.
Usually, cadets start out learning the basics of flying at ground school. Upon completion of ground school, cadets are then sent with an instructor in a glider or plane. There, they learn how to overcome rigorous weather and how to cope with any type of failures within an aircraft.
After a rigorous, week-long instructing, cadets are then chosen if they are eligible for their first solo flight. Based on their performance on, both, ground school and aerial instruction, cadets go on their first half-hour solo flight. About 95% of those that fly their first solo at the NFA earn their CAP cadet solo wings before the end of the academy.
[edit] Cadet Officer School
A course for Cadet officers based on Air Force Squadron Officer's School. It is held at the Air University at Maxwell AFB and teaches presentation skills, critical thinking, ethics and hands-on leadership.
[edit] Civic Leadership Academy
Held in Washington, D.C., this course explores the functions of our government and political processes.
[edit] Hawk Mountain Ranger School
The Colonel Phillip Neuweiler Ranger Training Facility at Hawk Mountain, Pennsylvania, is the oldest continually operated school of search and rescue in the United States. This activity teaches basic and advanced CAP SAR techniques as well as survival, rope work, first aid and leadership.
[edit] Honor Guard Academy
This activity teaches Air Force Honor Guard techniques and provides instruction on creating an Honor Guard at a Cadet's home unit. Cadets are also taught military discipline and protocol of the type required by a Honorguardsman, as well as the four elements of the Honor Guard: the Ceremonial/Demonstration Element, the Colors Element, the Funeral Element and the Drama Element (which involves plays and skits promoting a drug-free lifestyle and depicting the consequences of abusing illegal substances).
[edit] National Emergency Services Academy
An in-depth SAR school teaching all aspects of the CAP Emergency Services mission.
[edit] CAP/US Air Force sponsored
[edit] Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training Familiarization Courses
A glimpse of the training that makes an Air Force pilot. Includes heavy academics, flight facilities tours and may include full-motion simulator time and flight time with an instructor pilot in a T-1A Jayhawk jet trainer. Formerly the Air Education and Training Command Familiarization Course.
[edit] Air Force Pararescue
Orientation Course - In this physically demanding activity, Cadets work with actual Pararescuemen learning land navigation, wilderness survival, climbing and rappelling and other PJ skills.
[edit] Air Force Space Command Familiarization Courses
Designed for Cadets with an interest in space-related careers, this course provides an in-depth look at the Air Force Space Command, including missile operations, space command and control and orbital mechanics.
[edit] Air Force Weather Agency Familiarization Course
For Cadets interested in meteorology, this provides a chance to work with members of the Weather Agency and see how weather is forecast and interpreted using state of the art equipment.
[edit] Aircraft Maintenance & Manufacturing Orientation Course
Sponsored by Cessna Aircraft, this activity shows aircraft construction and maintenance techniques and includes tours of the Cessna Aircraft factory.
[edit] CAP/privately sponsored
[edit] EAA Air Academy
Not sponsored by CAP. In addition to orientation flight time, Cadets study the flight, weather, navigation and aircraft construction.
[edit] Space Camp / Aviation Challenge
Also not sponsored by CAP. Conducted at the United States Space & Rocket Center, this course focuses on space exploration, and features flight simulation, physiology, crew equipment and more.
[edit] Airline Careers Exploration
A hands on activity where cadets learn about careers within the airline industry including pilots, air traffic controllers, mechanics and flight attendants.
[edit] International Air Cadet Exchange
Perhaps the premier National Cadet Special Activity, IACE is an opportunity for two weeks of international travel to countries around the world and meet cadets of other organizations, such as the Royal Canadian Air Cadets. A CAP Cadet must have earned the Amelia Earhart award and have a minimum grade of C/Capt to apply for IACE. Cadets from 19 nations are sent to either Australia, Belgium, Canada, Germany, Hong Kong, Japan, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, the United States or the United Kingdom. CAP, the U.S. Air Force, and the host country cover the cost of meals, lodging, and airfare. Each participant is responsible for the cost of his/her IACE uniform, an activity fee, and other incidentals.
[edit] Purpose
The aim of the International Air Cadet Exchange (IACE) is to foster inter-national understanding, goodwill, and friendship among young people who have a common interest in aviation. Civil Air Patrol represents the United States in the International Air Cadet Exchange Association.
[edit] Scope
For approximately 3 weeks each summer, hundreds of cadets from more than a dozen nations broaden their understanding of aviation and different cultures through the Exchange. Hundreds more youth, families, aerospace professionals and community leaders benefit from the Exchange by serving as hosts, tour guides and escorts, or simply by participating in local activities alongside the international cadets. IACE cadets enjoy special access to factories, airports, engineering labs and cockpits around the world, as host nations showcase their cutting-edge aerospace technologies. Activities designed for the cadets promote a true sharing of ideas and enthusiasm for aviation, and tap into this excitement to advance global friendship.
[edit] Eligibility
To travel abroad through IACE, cadets and senior members must meet the criteria below.
- Cadets must be at least 17 years old by 1 July of the year in which they hope to participate in IACE, and must have earned the Earhart Award by 31 December of the previous year.
- Senior Members must be at least 25 years old by 1 July of the year in which they hope to participate in IACE, and must have earned the senior-rating in the Cadet Programs Officer Specialty Track by 31 December of the previous year.
- Special Requirements. Host countries may impose additional eligibility rules and restrictions.
- Application & Selection. See www.cap.gov/iace for information about the application and selection process
