Howdy all,
anyone have experience in planning squadron field trips? Recently typed up 4 proposals. What are some key things to keep in mind whilst planning field trips?
That they either serve, compliment, or at least don't conflict with mission-centric / required activities.
Quote from: Eclipse on March 22, 2017, 04:47:32 AM
That they either serve, compliment, or at least don't conflict with mission-centric / required activities.
Thank you, the activities in which I planned revolve around either visiting aerospace museums or military/veterans museums. The idea is that they will complement CAP's mission of AE, and the core value of respect.
We did the museum at Wright Pat last year and we are doing Huntsville this year.
One of the things we did as part of the PCR Chaplain Corps Staff College a few years ago (WIWHC)...was a tour of the Doolittle Museum @ Travis AFB. Prior to our CCRSC and tour, I had visited the web-site...got a feel for the displays/exhibits....and created a sort of scavenger hunt for the visit. We broke up the students into small group...and handed them a sheet of paper to identify certain aircraft (which was used for this mission???? ... what year was it in use???) ... and fill in the blanks on some of the display explanations ("Wright Patterson AFB was named after ________________"). Made them interact with other....as well as actually study the items rather than just "looking at the nice aircraft". I had purchased challenge coins from the museum and gave them as prizes to the group who answered the most questions correctly -- tie-breaker was the first group that submitted their hand-out (marked the time received on the hand-out).
Stop writing proposals and start writing opords. :)
Grab a phase 3 or 4 cadet and make them ride along with you and learn how to do all this planning.
Hand the reigns over, eventually.
Check the squadron, group, wing calendar for activities that conflict.
Invite other squadrons to do stuff with you sometimes.
Quote from: coudano on March 23, 2017, 01:54:01 AM
Stop writing proposals and start writing opords. :)
Grab a phase 3 or 4 cadet and make them ride along with you and learn how to do all this planning.
Hand the reigns over, eventually.
Check the squadron, group, wing calendar for activities that conflict.
Invite other squadrons to do stuff with you sometimes.
Troop Leading Procedure. Love it.
Quote from: coudano on March 23, 2017, 01:54:01 AM
Stop writing proposals and start writing opords. :)
Grab a couple of phase 3 or 4 cadets and make them ride along with you and learn how to do all this planning.
Hand the reigns over, eventually.
Check the squadron, group, wing calendar for activities that conflict.
Invite other squadrons to do stuff with you sometimes.
CPPT and all that.... >:D And, great idea.
I'm all in favor of also moving ahead with simpler activities that correspond to the physical activities being pushed for with the new CPFT process - Ultimate Frisbee, Softball, Volleyball, etc. There's absolutely nothing stopping a squadron from joining an amateur youth league in their AOR or a group starting up a league of their own among multiple squadrons. Can present a great opportunity to get more parents involved.
Quote from: LTC Don on March 23, 2017, 01:02:28 PM
Quote from: coudano on March 23, 2017, 01:54:01 AM
Stop writing proposals and start writing opords. :)
Grab a couple of phase 3 or 4 cadets and make them ride along with you and learn how to do all this planning.
Hand the reigns over, eventually.
Check the squadron, group, wing calendar for activities that conflict.
Invite other squadrons to do stuff with you sometimes.
CPPT and all that.... >:D And, great idea.
I'm all in favor of also moving ahead with simpler activities that correspond to the physical activities being pushed for with the new CPFT process - Ultimate Frisbee, Softball, Volleyball, etc. There's absolutely nothing stopping a squadron from joining an amateur youth league in their AOR or a group starting up a league of their own among multiple squadrons. Can present a great opportunity to get more parents involved.
When our PT days have to be away from HQ during the winter months, we make sure to include "game days" on the schedule. Seniors and cadets participate.
We're also working to have quarterly Morale, Welfare, and Recreation nights, such as Bowling one month, an Escape Room another month, etc. This is not just important for the unit cadet program as a morale/retention activity, as well as promoting physical fitness, but provides your cadets the opportunity to take what they have learned and apply it to the planning side. Give them some ownership and let them come up with the ideas.
Most cadets do not want seniors telling them "this will be fun," and then they show up and it wasn't fun. What's fun for seniors isn't always fun for cadets, especially if it isn't hands-on, and especially if it may require a higher intellectual processing to understand it.
The key is: Try to keep it low cost, and keep it voluntary. Let those who want to show up show up, and don't chastise those who didn't want to show up. If the activity was fun enough, word of mouth (and Facebook photos) should hopefully encourage participation next time. But keep in mind that not every activity should be $$$. "Well, if they want to have fun, they need to pay for it." And if mom/dad have to constantly shill out $25 every time we have a squadron activity, they're going to pull their kid out.