| Author | Message | ||
| Flyinglady Registered user Username: Flyinglady Post Number: 1528 Registered: 3-2004  |
I was reading in the testing area about the Pathfinders and someone here mentioned Boy Scouts, so I decided to mention my favorite organization for boys and girls between 12-21. The Civil Air Patrol is the civilian auxiliary fo the USAF. They wear the Air Force uniform with CAP insignia. There are 3 parts to the CAP. The first is emergency services, the second is aerospace education and the third is the cadet program. My son joined when he was 14 and earned their highest award, The Spaatz Award. This organization is for those who are interested in the military and like to fly. The cadet program teaches military customs and courtesies, how to wear a uniform, how to march, all about ground search and rescue for downed aircraft and lost people. It is very organized and disciplined as it teaches from a military view, the USAF. I call it the world's best kept secret as very few people know about it. But for the teenager who likes the military and flying it is terrific. So if you have children between the ages of 12-21, investigate it. I think the ideal age to join is 14 and no later than 18 years of age. The teenager is promoted when they pass a test and get all kinds of ribbons to wear on their uniforms. My son, as an active duty Air Force person, is still actively involved in the CAP. They meet once a week, have weekend activities, and the cadets get to have orientation flights and learn about an aircraft. Oh, they learn all about aerospace education as well. If you have any children interested in this you can contact me or better yet look in your phone book for the Civil Air Patrol. Or go to a search engine, type in Civil Air Patrol and see if you can find a squadron in your area. My son was a CAP member when he was baptized into the SDA church. The day he was baptized the pastor mentioned that he would not be surprised to see my son's name in the newspaper going out on a search for a downed aircraft or lost person as a memeber of the CAP. It is a wonderful organization for young people, male and female. I used to belong to it as an adult, but my CFS got in the way and I am not strong enough, yet, to rejoin. Diana | ||
| Foreverscout Registered user Username: Foreverscout Post Number: 44 Registered: 3-2005 |
Hi Diana, I know you are right about the Civil Air Patrol. I was in Jr. ROTC while in High School. These are great organizations for kids. We had a lot of fun, especially on bivouc! I joined the Army Reserve and later the Air Force Active. My brother was in Jr. ROTC long enough to go into the Army as an E-3, he bacame a combat medic and is now an emergency room tech. Foreverscout | ||
| Colleentinker Registered user Username: Colleentinker Post Number: 2028 Registered: 12-2003  |
Hey, Scout, how was the backpacking?! Colleen |
