TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) – The Civil Air Patrol had their summer encampment graduation Saturday at Indiana State.
110 cadets graduated from their basic training, along with 25 finishing their advanced training.
The Civil Air Patrol is a volunteer organization that conducts, not only aerospace education, but aids in search and rescue and disaster relief missions. They hold one week summer encampments around the country for kids of all ages to gain this knowledge, as well as important life skills to better their future.
Participants in the program can rise up a rank as quickly as every 56 days. One cadet, who has reached the Cadet Commander position, says that once she entered the program, her view on it changed.
“If you had asked me two years ago if I thought I would be Cadet Commander here at encampment, I would have told you no way, I would not be here. But here I am, because I have senior members who have invested in me, and I have cadets who I want to support and teach them how to serve our community as well.”
Elisa Miller – Cadet Commander
The summer encampment is a cadet-led program. Once basic training is completed, the kids have the opportunity to come back and help lead a new group through the process.
“What you saw on the field today was cadets leading cadets, who have been learning to lead other cadets. So, today, they have passed the basic challenge and most of these folks will hopefully come back next year and train the next cadets coming up behind them.”
Maj. Joshua Bowers
For more information on the Civil Air Patrol, visit their website.
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