NHQ Cadet Blog Post regarding Cadet Squadron Meeting

Started by Ozzy, March 19, 2020, 05:00:25 AM

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Ozzy

Found here: https://www.gocivilairpatrol.com/programs/cadets/cadet-blog/2020/03/16/coronavirus--keeping-cadets-engaged
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Posted on 03/16/2020 at 03:06 PM by Curt LaFond

Nearly all in-person cadet operations, worldwide, are on hold for the first time in our 77-year history. During this pause that extends at least until 11 May, the Cadet Program's main goal for itself is to maintain cadets' interest in CAP. When the "all clear" sounds, we want every cadet to return to active status. That challenge will not be easy. Weekly squadron meetings are like a dose of "Air Force blue." Going without that dose for several weeks could be like a slow goodbye to cadet life.

The National Cadet Team, in cooperation with the CAP Command Team, is working hard to accomplish two objectives this week. First, we want to provide squadrons with a practical, recipe-like plan for a 30-minute virtual weekly cadet activity. Second, we want to create reasonable accommodations (and wholesale waivers where necessary) so that cadets can continue ranking-up. Our theory is that a weekly "activity" and an opportunity to promote are essential to sustaining cadets' interests.

Look for guidance along these lines later this week. In the meantime, please use this space in the Cadet Blog to share ideas on how to keep cadets engaged – how to continue their weekly dose of "Air Force blue."
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My squadron will be following this guidance for the next few weeks. I'll be leading the first week with a short briefing and a Jeopardy-style quiz bowl for Aerospace Modules 1, 2, and 3. The week after we'll be doing an online Character Development forum. Hopefully by the third week, our cadet staff will have had enough time for developing the next few online meetings.

How is your squadron adapting to the lack of in-person meetings?
Ozyilmaz, MSgt, CAP
C/Lt. Colonel (Ret.)
NYWG Encampment 07, 08, 09, 10, 17
CTWG Encampment 09, 11, 16
NER Cadet Leadership School 10
GAWG Encampment 18, 19
FLWG Winter Encampment 19

SarDragon

CAWG has Office 365 capabilities, and we will be using Microsoft Teams (Skype on steroids) for our meetings. Tonight we used Zoom, though our commander's college connection, and it went well. He says Teams works about the same.
Dave Bowles
Maj, CAP
AT1, USN Retired
50 Year Member
Mitchell Award (unnumbered)
C/WO, CAP, Ret

JacobAnn

This is a great initiative and I sincerely hope it accomplishes its intended objective.  We will get through this.

OldGuy

That is awesome and ought to be distributed by NHQ far and wide. I have sent this to our team.

baronet68

#4
Two squadrons in WAWG have joined forces to conduct meetings and activities online.  Their first joint-squadron meeting was held on Tuesday and attended by about 50 members. 

https://www.facebook.com/McChordCompositeSquadronCAP/posts/3083080058393224

The first hour was cadets, second hour was seniors... and it looks like one of the seniors was making s'mores.   ;D

[edit to add...]
The squadrons used the Zoom Meeting App and members attended for free using their computers, tablets, and smart phones.  Use of the Zoom account was donated by a member ($15 per month for unlimited access to a room with 100 seats).   
Michael Moore, Lt Col, CAP
National Recruiting & Retention Manager

Fester

Quote from: baronet68 on March 19, 2020, 05:05:19 PMTwo squadrons in WAWG have joined forces to conduct meetings and activities online.  Their first joint-squadron meeting was held on Tuesday and attended by about 50 members. 

https://www.facebook.com/McChordCompositeSquadronCAP/posts/3083080058393224

The first hour was cadets, second hour was seniors... and it looks like one of the seniors was making s'mores.   ;D

[edit to add...]
The squadrons used the Zoom Meeting App and members attended for free using their computers, tablets, and smart phones.  Use of the Zoom account was donated by a member ($15 per month for unlimited access to a room with 100 seats).   

KY WG is combining all cadets into one big meeting.  Wing Staff is facilitating the meetings and they are doing them every night a squadron would normally meet (M, T, W, T)

As a Squadron CC who currently has almost no free time due to trying to keep the doors open at my restaurant, this is a HUGE godsend for me.
1stLt, CAP
Squadron CC
Group CPO
Eaker - 1996

Ned

An Update from NHQ/CP:

Be sure to check our Cadet Coronovirus page for the latest virus-related cadet information.  It is being updated frequently with new information.

As of now, the only two NCSAs that have been cancelled are IACE and NCC.  We, of course, will look at the rest as their dates get closer.  Our advice is to use caution in making any travel arrangements and avoid buying non-refundable tickets until we have a better picture of the summer going forward.

Encampments / RCLS:  Since local conditions and host installation standards may vary, as of now the go/no go decisions for individual wing encampments are in the hands of the wings.  I should note that encampments are scheduled from June through August, and obviously we all hope conditions will improve by then.  We are encouraging wings to consider weekend encampments ("Type B") as a possible alternative in the event of installation availability issues.

Waivers:  We are carefully considering the possibility of granting encampment / RCLS waivers for cadets whose promotions would otherwise be delayed, but no decisions will be made until we have a better idea of what the summer looks like.

Spaatz Exam age waivers:  Cadets eligible for the exam should continue to apply, and will be permitted to test after their 21st birthday, if necessary.

We are allowing wings and regions to deliver TLC via distance learning.  They may need to innovate a little on platform and curricula delivery.  Follow the discussions on the Cadet Blog.


The NCAC provided some ideas and resources for virtualizing cadet units.  The link is on the Coronavirus page and here.

Again, check back on the Cadet Coronovirus page for updates.


Ned Lee
Col (CAP)
National Cadet Program Manager
(working from home like a lot of people)

Ned

Another NHQ/CP update:

As posted today on the Cadet Coronavirus page, the requirement that cadets possess and wear a uniform properly to successfully complete the Curry Achievement has been suspended temporarily.

Stay socially distant and wash your hands!

More when I have it.

Ned Lee
Col, CAP
National Cadet Program Manager

dwb

VAWG is currently using G Suite, so my squadron has been meeting with Google Hangouts Meet. This past Tuesday we had over 80 cadets online, and a bunch of seniors as well. This coming Tuesday I'm doing a CyberPatriot overview and recruiting pitch to get ready for the upcoming competition season. At the wing level, we're looking at ways to deliver training and to make progress on specialty tracks.

This is not how we wanted to run CAP, but kudos to all of the squadrons thinking of new ideas to keep cadets and seniors engaged.