Encampment

Encampment Ribbon - Earned upon graduation at an encampment.

Encampments are programs hosted by Wings that provide cadets an introduction to military life with extensive training. The goals of encampment are as follows:

• Develop leadership skills
• Educate about aviation, space, and technology
• Commit cadets to a habit of regular exercise
• Motivate and educate about the Core Values

Duration of Encampments

Type A and B Encampments

Type A Encampments span over a 6-7 day period. Meanwhile, Type B encampments (typically organized for Tri-Wing Encampments) span across multiple weekends over a 60 day period. Type A Encampments are more common than Type B.

Encampment Operational Standards

Coed Interactions

Depending on encampment size, student age, gender, cadet grade, and home unit, flights will be distributed accordingly. All activities but cadet sleeping, showering, and personal time are segregated by gender.

Meals, Sleep and Personal Time

• 3 well balanced meals per day with at least 15 minutes to eat.
• Sodas and energy drinks are to be prohibited except for special events (graduation cookout).
• All students will have at least 8.5 hours of uninterrupted sleep while cadre will have at least 8.
• 30 minutes preceding lights out is personal time. Horseplay is to be prevented by cadre during this time.
• Showers and hygiene will be segregated from Senior members and students. Showers are provided by the facilities hosting the encampment.
• Daily blister checks will be conducted by the Training Officer(s) assisted by flight staff. Treatment will be given at this time as needed.

Reception

Reception is essentially a student's start of encampment. The goal of reception is to build a sense of trust to bond between the cadet's adults and the senior staff and allow the student to meet their peers. This is typically how reception works:

• Parents ensure emergency contact info is correct and engage in a Q&A session. Parents are also provided with the encampment website and any similar social medias.
• Students are greeted by cadet cadre, go through a contraband check, and make their final phone call/good bye.

Attending an Encampment

Costs vary based on Wing, facility, and needs. However, it is required there be a minimum cost of at least $225. This is not only to cover base costs, but also provide additional activities. For cadets who might struggle to find the money to attend an encampment, the Cadet Encampment Assistance Program (CEAP) provides special funding from the United States Air Force. Encampments are also further encouraged to provide scholarships for additional assistance.

There are 3-4 groups of participants within an encampment:

Students

To participate, cadets must have at least earned Achievement One. They should also have received permission to participate from their parents and unit commander.

Depending on the facility hosting the encampment, there may be additional requirements or documents.

Encampments should allow cadets from other wings to participate.

Advanced Students

Encampments are not required, but advised, to provide programs for advanced students. Typically, encampments decide upon an Advanced Training Squadron (ATS), based on encampment size.

Advanced students are second year cadets and beyond. This group of students do not serve with the cadet cadre, but also don't receive the same intense training as first time students. Advanced students normally receive more in-depth leadership and character lessons in their training. This training aims to prepare advanced students for a spot as a cadet cadre (see below).

Cadet Cadre

Cadets who have already completed their "Basic" year of encampment, may attend again as cadre. Cadre serve the students and make encampments possible. There are lots of positions available for cadet cadre across three main groups:

Position need can vary based on the Wings and facilities hosting an encampment. Names, descriptions, and responsibilities of said positions can vary by encampment needs.

1 - Line Cadre

Line cadre are the "hands on" staff who are always with the advanced/basic students. Their primary responsibility is providing the encampment experience by serving the students. Positions and responsibilities of Line Cadre are below:

Positions	Responsibilities
Flight Sergeant	Teach classes, maintain unity of their students, work one-on-one with Squadron First Sergeant, mentor students, and execute daily orders.
Flight Commander	Create the conditions for the flight sergeant and students to succeed, supervise and mentor the flight sergeant, and set goals and training plans.
First Sergeant	Oversee all activity in a squadron, work with and support the squadron commander, be prepared to step in for any position in the squadron, and orchestrate communication.
Squadron Commander	Work one-on-one with the first sergeant for planning, provide feedback to cadre, brief and debrief cadre, and be prepared to step in for flight commanders.
Group Commander	Oversee all squadron activity under their command. Orchestrates communication between the squadrons and executive cadre.
Advanced Training Squadron Commander	Assume the same responsibilities as normal squadron commanders but create the curriculum and plans for Advanced Students.
Advanced Training Flight Commander	Assume the same responsibilities as normal flight commanders but train and mentor Advanced Students.

2 - Support Cadre

Support cadre ensure that Line Cadre (see above), have the necessary resources to complete the overall mission of encampment. They work "behind the scenes"

Position	Responsibilities
Logistics	Work with the Senior Staff Logistics Officer to ensure all resources and supplies are available for activities, track and issue out supplies, and collect reusable supplies upon completion of encampment.
Movement Control	Work with all staff members to coordinate vehicle usage, supervise vehicle loading and unloading, and work on the vehicles if needed. (Logistics provides the vehicles while CAPWATCH tracks them)
Dining Services	Learn the fundamentals of preparing, cooking, serving, and cleaning food for an entire encampment.
Communications	Work with the Senior Staff Communications Officer to ensure that all cadre and staff have a reliable communication network, track all radio assets, and install and remove portable repeater equipment where applicable.
CAPWATCH	Work with the Senior Staff Communications Officer to ensure all encampment cadre are tracked and ensure the safety and accountability of all personnel.
Public Affairs (Photographer)	Take photos and videos to document all activities at an encampment, work together to publish photos on social media and the encampment website for public access.
Public Affairs (Media)	Create newsletters, press releases, and videos to highlight encampment activities. Oversee newsletters, encampment website updates, work with local and state newspapers in publishing press releases, and create the final encampment video.
First Aid Support Team (FAST)	Work with the Health Services Senior Member in aiding students and cadre with basic first aid, safety procedures (blisters care, heat/cold injury, etc.), risk management, and conduct daily inspections to ensure all participants are in good physical condition.

3 - Operations

Operations staff cadre creates the standards and plans for Line Cadre to follow.

Position	Responsibilities
Leadership	Be an expert in CAP regulation and procedures, organize Pass and Review at the completion of encampment, work the flight and squadron staff to provide feedback to students, and set standards (and evaluate) each flight with knowledge inspections, uniform inspections, barracks inspections, and drill inspections. Also lead and run Team Leadership Problems.
Physical Training	Coordinate all physical activity throughout encampment, familiarize oneself with CAPP60-50, and work with squadron First Sergeants to develop and standardize physical training. Also plan and coordinate the encampment sports competition
Curriculum and Plans	Work with the Senior Staff Curriculum and Plans Officer to develop the schedule for each day of encampment, familiarize oneself with CAPP60-70, work with all support cadre staff to ensure every activity and be supported, and ensure qualified instructors can lead each activity and class.
Safety	Work with the Senior Staff Safety Officer, handle Operational Risk Management, and go to each activity (before students) to make a safety assessment. They will also be onsite at each activity to make sure all safety concerns are addressed.

Senior Staff

The last group of participants who may attend an encampment are the Senior Members. They supervise and mentor cadet cadre, and students. They may serve along with Operations and Support Cadre (as listed above), but also line cadre:

Position	Responsibilities
Training Officer	Support and mentor the Flight Sergeant and Flight Commander. Also motivate students.
Training Support Officer	Support and mentor squadron staff and overlooking all squadron activities.