CAP Encampment

[KirkF22]

I was wondering if going to an encampment to officially be in civil air patrol is required or if it's a choice to go?

[Pylon]

Yes, you can be a cadet and never go to an encampment but it's not advised for a couple of reasons:


1) Encampment is a really important and formative learning experience for most cadets.  Cadets can gain more from a week-long encampment than from dozens of 2-hour weekly meetings.


2) You will never be able to promote past C/CMSgt without attending encampment.  The Mitchell Award, all CAP scholarships, all National Cadet Special Activities, IACE, Cadet of the Year awards, Cadet Officer School, Region Cadet Leadership School, and a bunch of other stuff will be completely off limits to you because they all require an encampment or something else that requires an encampment to attend.  So after about a year, and only 1/3rd into the Cadet Program, you wouldn't be able to promote again.


Is there some reason you'd want to join CAP but never go to an encampment?  I've been to 7 encampments from New York to Hawaii and loved every single one.

[KirkF22]

Well I would love to go to an encampment for a week just I gotta convince my parents to let me. Thanks fr the info though!

[MIKE]

It is not required for general membership, but if you want to get your Mitchell or participate in NCSAs completing an encampment is a prerequisite.

[KirkF22]

Also is the encampment hard? Like how much sleep do you get?

[Eclipse]

"Hard"? No.

A challenge?  Yes.  It will take you out of your comfort zone and help you become more confident and self-reliant.
It will build on the things you are already learning at your squadron and teach you things you would never learn anywhere
else.

It is a unique and irreplaceable experience for both cadets and senior members, especially the first one.

Your best bet is not to fixate on what "might" happen, or listen to too many wives tales.  Just prepare as they tell you to and
go with the flow.

[C/Haughey]

Encampment will test all of your skills as a cadet. Physically and mentally.

You will get eight hours of sleep.

[a2capt]

There may be other exceptions to the NCSA limit. But NCC is an NCSA and encampment isn't provided. But giving up -a lot- of your weekends is..

[Garibaldi]

I will give you the benefit of my experience. I thought I had a lot but apparently I don't have near enough.

1. They are all correct. You will never be able to advance beyond C/CMSGT without encampment, or go to any other National activity.
2. Encampment will challenge you. In some ways, I felt that one week of encampment was harder than the 4 weeks of Basic Training I went through.
3. You will meet many people from around your Wing. It's a good way to get your name known, for the good or for worse.
4. Don't expect encampment to be a boy scout jamboree. It's tough, sure, and you will have to get used to military customs and courtesies, probably more than you've experienced thus far.
5. If this is your first year in CAP, I'd wait til next year, until you get some experience at home. At least wait until you get your Curry.
6. You will get about 8 hours of sleep all week.
7. You will lose your voice if you don't use your diaphragm.
8. You might get to get a ride in a real military plane, helicopter, or vehicle if you're really lucky. Our cadets this year get Blackhawk rides. I got C-130 rides and a Huey ride once.
9. What experience you get at encampment you can take back to your home unit and apply there.
10. It's a good place to figure out if you want to really go into the military.

I had nothing but good times (that I remember) at all 5 of my cadet encampments and my one senior one. Go. Enjoy. Tell your parents that they can look forward to you being gone for a whole week. My parents fairly pushed me out the door when encampment rolled around. If money is what's stopping you, perhaps your unit has a "scholarship" program like we have, where they subsidize some of the fee if you can't come up with all the money at once.

[Eclipse]

At least wait until you get your Curry.

Curry is a pre-requisite for encampment.

6. You will get about 8 hours of sleep all week.

Just for clarity on today's encampments - many, though not all, have been emphasizing good rack time for everyone, including staff and seniors.
Stuff happens, but being sleep-deprived isn't good for anyone.

Though even with that said, the ops tempo can make if difficult for new people to sleep the first couple of nights.

[Garibaldi]

At least wait until you get your Curry.

Curry is a pre-requisite for encampment.

Whoops. See what I get for NOT being in cadet programs anymore?

6. You will get about 8 hours of sleep all week.

Just for clarity on today's encampments - many, though not all, have been emphasizing good rack time for everyone, including staff and seniors.
Stuff happens, but being sleep-deprived isn't good for anyone.

Though even with that said, the ops tempo can make if difficult for new people to sleep the first couple of nights.

Being away from home makes it difficult to sleep on a lumpy, thin government issue mattress and smelly sheets.

[Eclipse]

Being away from home makes it difficult to sleep on a lumpy, thin government issue mattress and smelly sheets.

Things are a lot different these days in BMT and most schools and academies where we run encampments.
They aren't the Hilton, but they aren't generally too bad, either.

[KirkF22]

When you guys say basic training is that for CAP or is it BMT for military?

[Abby.L]

When you guys say basic training is that for CAP or is it BMT for military?

Those crusty, old people? They're all talking about the real military.

Besides, CAP doesn't have a BMT.

[RogueLeader]

When you guys say basic training is that for CAP or is it BMT for military?

You'll occasionally see use use BMT, Basic, Basic Training, Boot, etc.  Those are terms us "crusty" people use to describe military training, depending on Branch of Service.

Besides, CAP doesn't have a BMT.

Some, a few really could use it.  It's a great experience.

[EMT-83]

Well I would love to go to an encampment for a week just I gotta convince my parents to let me.

Arrange for them to be at the squadron when the cadets return from this year's encampment.  The enthusiasm is somewhat contagious.

[ol'fido]

WIWAC, my first night at encampment, I had the weirdest dream that I still remember. We were staying in old WWII two story barracks on Chanute AFB that had been divided in to about 6 rooms on each floor. We had two bunk bed racks in each room that had to be lined up in the middle of the room end to end with about 2 foot between the racks. I dreamed that the walls and floors were transparent and that we had to line up all our racks on our floor and with the other flights downstairs.

After that first couple of days I was having too much fun to have those kind of dreams. Thank you, Tracy Gould wherever you are. You were an awesome flight leader.

[KirkF22]

Wait do all the cadets in my squadron go to the same encampment at the same time?

[EMT-83]

No, but there is a good chance that a number of cadets will be attending your Wing's encampment.

[Struts]

Wait do all the cadets in my squadron go to the same encampment at the same time?

A good number will usually go around the same time to your wing's encampment. Last year we had around 10 go at the same time and this year around 6 are going from my squadron as basics.

[KirkF22]

I'm in Florida so I would be in the Florida wing?

[Eclipse]

I'm in Florida so I would be in the Florida wing?

Presumably, however you are free to go encampments in other wings as well.

[KirkF22]

Is basic encampment free?

[Garibaldi]

Is basic encampment free?

No. Pretty much every major CAP activity, except SAREXES and meetings, you will have to pay for. Encampment fees vary; this year Arkansas Wing encampment is $125. When I was a new senior, it was $25, but that was Wisconsin. It depends on where the event is held, I think. Does the Air Force underwrite some of the cost? I don't remember.

Short answer, CAP really stands for Come And Pay. Or Crazy @$$ People, depending on where you are.

[Eclipse]

Is basic encampment free?

Very little in CAP is "free", nearly all the activities outside unit meetings, encampments, flight academies, etc., will have some expense, direct or otherwise, and while ES training and missions have some USAF expense reimbursement, all your equipment and most of your expenses will not be paid.

If you, or your parents, itemize on their taxes, a lot of the expense of membership is tax deductible.  Consult your tax guy for details.

[Nathan]

It's probably worth noting that CAP fees are MUCH lower than similar non-CAP activities. The kind of training you get at a CAP week-long encampment is easily worth hundreds, maybe even thousands of dollars, and you get it for a little over $100.

[CadetColonelToBe]

Yes, you can be a cadet and never go to an encampment but it's not advised for a couple of reasons:

Is there some reason you'd want to join CAP but never go to an encampment?  I've been to 7 encampments from New York to Hawaii and loved every single one.

Have you been to VAWG Encampment?

[CadetColonelToBe]

Is basic encampment free?

CAP is a non-profit organization so you will find that almost everything in CAP costs money, but everything you pay for is mostly likely worth much more... they have to pay for everything some how

[CadetColonelToBe]

even staff have to pay to go to encampment

[Luis R. Ramos]

The CAP grunt gurus will say:

CAP = Come And Pay

CAP = Cadets Always Pay

CAP = Commanders Always Pay

CAP = Come Anybody Pay

There is no way around it. Even in a SAREX, if you do not bring lunch, there will be a collect to pay for food. Still it is the best experience around, and you will pay much more in a similar activity out of CAP...

[SarDragon]

You forgot:
Cash And Plastic

[PHall]

You forgot:
Cash And Plastic

That's my line Dave. Where's my royality check!

[C/Haughey]

Here is a link to videos of some previous encamps made by the PA staff.

http://flcadet.com/photos-and-media/videos.aspx

Good idea of what FL encampments are.

[Garibaldi]

You forgot:
Cash And Plastic

Crazy @$$ Pilots/People

[spacecommand]

Depending on how large your squadron is and the make up of the squadron, many of the newer cadets (who have not attended encampment yet) will most likely (depending on circumstances) be attending encampment with you.  You will join cadets from other units in your wing and out of your wing (some encampments involve multiple wings).  In addition, you might have cadets more senior than you who have already attended encampment, but will be returning to serve on the staff of the encampment as well. 

Other cadets who have already attended encampment in past years will stay and in most cases attend regular squadron meetings.

While encampment is not "required" to be part of CAP, it is required for many other things you might want to do in the future in CAP as a cadet (and is required for promotion past C/CMSgt.  In addition, most cadets will have experienced encampment at least once, and you don't want to be the odd one out.

Encampment isn't so hard as it is challenging.  Most cadets will tell you encampment is one of the best things in CAP.  The first day or so is challenging, especially for some (being the first time they are away from home for close to a week), but by the end, they are enjoying and having great fun at encampment. 

It really isn't an opportunity to miss out on if you have a chance go attend at least once and most cadets have "encampment stories" they will tell for years on (just ask many of your senior cadets).

[Майор Хаткевич]

Encampment is proven to fire up interest and longevity in most cadets. The hard part for some is going away from family on their own for the first time. I personally had spent plenty of time at camp/ away from relatives before ever going to encampment ,  so it didn't affect me that way, but I know some people get homesick. It's natural and probably one of the best things to learn at encampment for a young cadet.

[SarDragon]

You forgot:
Cash And Plastic

That's my line Dave. Where's my royality check!

The check's in the mail!

[Danger]

Being a cadet who recently graduated from MN wing encampment,

GO TO ENCAMPMENT. IT IS SO MUCH FUN.
You get to make a lot of new friends, develop leadership skill, and become more than proficient at drill. At my encampment we got CH-47 Chinook rides, and the Army's rifle simulators. Encampment is a experience you'll remember forever.

...and you get a cool ribbon

[SARDOC]

Does anybody know what wings conduct a Winter Encampment or at least one that uses an alternative schedule outside the typical summer schedule?

[Extremepredjudice]

Does anybody know what wings conduct a Winter Encampment or at least one that uses an alternative schedule outside the typical summer schedule?

Florida

[Eclipse]

Does anybody know what wings conduct a Winter Encampment or at least one that uses an alternative schedule outside the typical summer schedule?

ILWG has a 2-weekend encampment at the end of April at Great Lakes.

I believe COWG is (or was) the other wing doing a weekend schedule.

Kansas has one over the Christmas holidays.

[SARDOC]

Thanks for the tip.  I have a cadet because of other obligations couldn't make the summer encampment so I'm trying to support him with an alternative.

[nesagsar]

I would recommend ILWG winter encampment. They are used to getting out of state cadets and the event is held on a military base with lots of great options for activities.

[Майор Хаткевич]

I would recommend ILWG winter encampment. They are used to getting out of state cadets and the event is held on a military base with lots of great options for activities.

We only have Spring and Summer events.

[jeders]

Does anybody know what wings conduct a Winter Encampment or at least one that uses an alternative schedule outside the typical summer schedule?

TXWG will be having one this year, come on down and have some fun.

[nesagsar]

I would recommend ILWG winter encampment. They are used to getting out of state cadets and the event is held on a military base with lots of great options for activities.

We only have Spring and Summer events.

Fair point. What I meant was the spring encampment. What threw off my memory was how darn cold it was at that event. Pro tip: buy a field jacket with liner before the event.

[SarDragon]

Yeah, I was at Great Mistakes in April a while back. It was freakin' cold. No snow, though. By the time I left, it was the first week of July, and ugly hot.

[Eclipse]

Ten years ago it was common to be marching in snow.  Now we generally get at least one week of short sleeve weather, and one of rain.  I was very close to riding the bike up there this year, but just had too much stuff to bring.

[SarDragon]

I don't recall snow at all, but there was cold and rain. I got there 4/29/ and left 7/7. A long time ago.

Looked on GE a while back and all the new buildings from when I was there are all gone now.   

[Майор Хаткевич]

Ten years ago it was common to be marching in snow.  Now we generally get at least on week of short sleeve weather, and one of rain.  I was very close to riding the bike up there this year, but just had too much stuff to bring.

And they say Global Warming isn't real...

[RockRat]

It's probably worth noting that CAP fees are MUCH lower than similar non-CAP activities. The kind of training you get at a CAP week-long encampment is easily worth hundreds, maybe even thousands of dollars, and you get it for a little over $100.

In CA., it's about 230 bucks 

[Майор Хаткевич]

It's probably worth noting that CAP fees are MUCH lower than similar non-CAP activities. The kind of training you get at a CAP week-long encampment is easily worth hundreds, maybe even thousands of dollars, and you get it for a little over $100.

In CA., it's about 230 bucks 

Are they feeding cadets Premium Unleaded?

[PHall]

It's probably worth noting that CAP fees are MUCH lower than similar non-CAP activities. The kind of training you get at a CAP week-long encampment is easily worth hundreds, maybe even thousands of dollars, and you get it for a little over $100.

In CA., it's about 230 bucks 

Are they feeding cadets Premium Unleaded?

No, the National Guard charges for everything and I do mean everything.
Barracks are $160/day, we use two of them. Use of the theater is $390/day. It all adds up.

[Eclipse]

Ridiculous.  Not your or CAP's fault, but still ridiculous.

We had a similar issue like that for a while in this state as well - the state-funded guard units were treating
CAP like any other "community group" - charging us a fair penny for bare-minimum use of facilities in the same
vein as the BSA or local PTA.  It even forced one unit to move to a different facility.

The kicker was that they still expected free support for things like their deployment / get home days, etc.

Calls were made, that went away.

[PHall]

Ridiculous.  Not your or CAP's fault, but still ridiculous.

We had a similar issue like that for a while in this state as well - the state-funded guard units were treating
CAP like any other "community group" - charging us a fair penny for bare-minimum use of facilities in the same
vein as the BSA or local PTA.  It even forced one unit to move to a different facility.

The kicker was that they still expected free support for things like their deployment / get home days, etc.

Calls were made, that went away.

Guard units pay the same amount.
Basically the State Military Department is supposed to be self supporting because the drones up in Sacramento cut the budget.

[Eclipse]

Guard units pay the same amount.

Well that's somewhat circular, isn't?

Where does that funding come from?  The state, right (with some Federal icing on it for good measure?)

[PHall]

Guard units pay the same amount.

Well that's somewhat circular, isn't?

Where does that funding come from?  The state, right (with some Federal icing on it for good measure?)

No, it comes from the Feds.  The Feds pay for the 12 Drills and the 15 Day Annual Training.