Dear Parent/Guardian of Encampment Cadets:

This letter will familiarize you with what your cadet will do at this important activity, help you understand our expectations for the week during which you entrust your cadet to our safekeeping and to let you know how you can prepare him/her for success.

In a sense, CAP encampments are a rite of passage for CAP cadets. This activity takes cadets from all over the Tri-Wing (Maryland, Delaware, and National Capital) area and brings them together to achieve a common understanding of their role as CAP cadets and the mission of the Civil Air Patrol as a vital part of the Air Force family. The Encampment involves concentration on military topics such as drill and ceremonies  along with fun opportunities such as the confidence course and flight orientation ride (if available). The Encampment will be mentally and physically challenging for your young person, but not beyond what a normal cadet can endure without undue strain.

This will be a challenging and fun week for cadets attending the encampment. They will be practicing and developing their abilities to accomplish various tasks through teamwork during the entire week, through marching practice, preparing with their flight (a team of cadets) for inspections of their barracks, etc.    Additionally, there are other activities planned in which the cadets can participate, such as: rappelling, orientation rides (if available), lectures, and sports. These activities provide a variety of experiences for the cadets, and new knowledge and training that they can take back with them to their home and local squadron.

Because CAP is organized along military lines and functions like a military organization, we expect your cadet to live up to the enclosed Encampment Disciplinary Policy. While problems are rare, he or she may be expelled from the Encampment and returned home early if a serious offense is committed.

We also invite you to review our website during the course of the Encampment. Our cadet Public Affairs staff will update the website daily with photos and information about the cadets and their collective success. Any changes to the out-processing time frames will also be posted.

If your cadet comes to the Encampment properly prepared in mind, body and spirit, he or she will have a rewarding experience that will equip him or her for increasingly important leadership opportunities in CAP and throughout life. Please help your cadet prepare for success by going over the above matters with him or her before the Encampment.

This will probably be the most intense week your Cadet has ever experienced, physically, mentally, and emotionally. You can help your Cadet prepare for Encampment by doing several things. Wake-up for Encampment is no later than 5:00 a.m. Training days are long, with no opportunity to nap, much less sleep late. Fatigue can be reduced with adequate rest. Lights-out means Cadets are in bed and ready for sleep. Much of our activity at Encampment revolves around a set schedule. Cadets who sleep late in the morning they leave for Encampment generally struggle with fatigue all week long. It is recommended that the Cadet begins to prepare for this prior to encampment by beginning to rise at an early hour to become accustomed to the schedule.

Make sure that your Cadet is enthusiastic about participating in and completing Encampment. You should talk to his/her Squadron Commander about Encampment. Have him/her talk to other Cadets who have been to Encampment. These are all sources about the real world of Encampment. If your Cadet is in the least bit unsure about attending, do not send him/her.

Encampment is a unique experience. Your Cadet will forge friendships that might last a lifetime. Your Cadet will gain experiences in team building, problem solving, and the importance of working as a team that will serve him/her well in any career choice he/she might make. Your Cadet will come home different from the person you sent. Our Encampment Staff is experienced, motivated, dedicated, and well trained to guide your Cadet through a meaningful Encampment. You can do your part to help us by following the suggestions we have given you to prepare your Cadet. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact the Encampment Commander.

The best thing is to make sure each cadet is properly prepared and has everything on the equipment list. Also, please ensure they have only a little spending money and be sure to let them know that they can successfully get through the week if they work hard and try their best. That is what we expect of them - no more and no less. The week is fun, but challenging. As the week progresses they will grow and become more confident and self-sufficient than they ever knew they could be.

My many Encampment experiences as a CAP cadet and senior member are among the most memorable of my CAP career  and our goal is to make the 2007 Tri-Wing Encampment an equally memorable and valuable experience for your cadet. We thank you for entrusting your young person to our safekeeping for the week and we pledge that we will do our best to ensure a quality activity for your cadet and family.

Sincerely,

JOSEPH R. WINTER, Major, CAP
Commander
2007 Tri-Wing Encampment

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