National Conference Activities

Schedule & Learning Sessions Activities for Cadets Networking Extra-Curriculars, Tours & Off-Site Events Pre-Conference Activities Sign up now for Operation Pulse Lift!

Schedule & Learning Sessions
Schedule View the full schedule on Page 8 of the Conference Program. Learning Sessions Senior Member Sessions This year’s National Conference learning sessions place a special emphasis on Cadet Programs, with a spotlight on Safety, Health Services, Chaplain Corps, Legal Corps, and Inspector General topics. At the same time, the conference offers a wide variety of sessions designed to provide valuable learning opportunities for members across every role and mission area within CAP. View the 2026 offerings for Senior Members in the Senior Member Pocket Guide. Cadet Tracks New this year, National Conference is introducing Cadet Tracks—learning experiences designed specifically for cadets. These cadet-focused sessions offer engaging opportunities to build leadership skills, explore future careers, and prepare for what comes next alongside cadets from across the country. Cadets 12-20: Standard Track The Standard Cadet Track gives cadets the flexibility to choose sessions that match their interests and goals. With topics ranging from leadership and career exploration to aerospace and STEM, cadets can build practical skills while exploring new opportunities in a cadet-focused environment. View the 2026 Standard Cadet Track Offerings in the Cadet Pocket Guide. Cadets18+: Transition Track Designed for cadets 18 and older, the 18+ Transition Track supports cadets who are beginning to look ahead to their next chapter. Cadets in this age range can choose to participate in the Standard Cadet Track or the adult learning sessions alongside senior members. View the 2026 Offerings for Senior Members and 18+ transition Track in the Senior Member Pocket Guide Departmental Updates: What’s New Across the Organization Saturday, August 29, 2026, 1:45PM-2:30PM New this year, connect directly with National Headquarters personnel during the departmental update, where each team will share what’s new, what’s evolving, and what’s on the horizon within their area. These sessions provide a deeper look at current initiatives, shifting priorities, and upcoming changes, along with opportunities to ask questions, gain clarity, and stay informed about the work shaping the organization. Each session is open to everyone. Saturday, August 29, 2026, 2:30PM-3:00PM – Office Hours Following each session, the national team will remain available for 30 minutes of informal office hours to continue the conversation and answer additional questions. Cadet Programs Aerospace Education Operations Legal Corps Health Services Chaplain Corps

Schedule & Learning Sessions

Schedule

View the full schedule on Page 8 of the Conference Program.

Learning Sessions

Senior Member Sessions

This year’s National Conference learning sessions place a special emphasis on Cadet Programs, with a spotlight on Safety, Health Services, Chaplain Corps, Legal Corps, and Inspector General topics. At the same time, the conference offers a wide variety of sessions designed to provide valuable learning opportunities for members across every role and mission area within CAP.

View the 2026 offerings for Senior Members in the Senior Member Pocket Guide.

Cadet Tracks

New this year, National Conference is introducing Cadet Tracks—learning experiences designed specifically for cadets. These cadet-focused sessions offer engaging opportunities to build leadership skills, explore future careers, and prepare for what comes next alongside cadets from across the country.

Cadets 12-20: Standard Track

The Standard Cadet Track gives cadets the flexibility to choose sessions that match their interests and goals. With topics ranging from leadership and career exploration to aerospace and STEM, cadets can build practical skills while exploring new opportunities in a cadet-focused environment. View the 2026 Standard Cadet Track Offerings in the Cadet Pocket Guide.

Cadets18+: Transition Track

Designed for cadets 18 and older, the 18+ Transition Track supports cadets who are beginning to look ahead to their next chapter. Cadets in this age range can choose to participate in the Standard Cadet Track or the adult learning sessions alongside senior members. View the 2026 Offerings for Senior Members and 18+ transition Track in the Senior Member Pocket Guide

Departmental Updates: What’s New Across the Organization

Saturday, August 29, 2026, 1:45PM-2:30PM

New this year, connect directly with National Headquarters personnel during the departmental update, where each team will share what’s new, what’s evolving, and what’s on the horizon within their area. These sessions provide a deeper look at current initiatives, shifting priorities, and upcoming changes, along with opportunities to ask questions, gain clarity, and stay informed about the work shaping the organization. Each session is open to everyone.

Saturday, August 29, 2026, 2:30PM-3:00PM – Office Hours
Following each session, the national team will remain available for 30 minutes of informal office hours to continue the conversation and answer additional questions.

Cadet Programs
Aerospace Education
Operations
Legal Corps
Health Services
Chaplain Corps

Extra-curriculars, Tours & Off-Site Events
Interactive Photo Display - Cadets through the Decades Bring your photo to add! Were you a cadet? We want to see you! Bring a photo of yourself from your cadet days to add to our photo display at National Conference! Photos should be 5x7, 4x6, or smaller. Please bring a copy of your photo, as we may not be able to return photos after the conference. Be sure to stop by the display throughout the weekend to see just how many of us started out as cadets—and see if you recognize anyone! QPR Suicide Prevention Training & Certification QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer) Suicide Prevention Training equips participants with practical skills to recognize warning signs of suicide, engage in a supportive conversation, and connect individuals with appropriate resources. In this interactive 90-minute session, participants will earn an a certification from the QPR Institute and gain confidence in responding when someone may be in crisis. The session will take place over one learning session and part of the hangar session that immediately follows it. Two time slots available (Friday morning & Saturday Morning). Pre-registration is required (in the Sub-event section). Cost: $10. For more information about QPR, visit: https://qprinstitute.com/about-qpr Operation: Pulse Lift Sign-ups! Give a little, save up to three lives. Please consider joining us in supporting the Red Cross with our annual Operation Pulse Lift blood drive on Friday, August 28. Since 2020, your efforts through Operation Pulse Lift have resulted in almost 89,000 units of blood, with each unit potentially saving 3 people. CAP’s Operation Pulse Lift is CAP’s largest and longest mission event in history. It truly embodies CAP’s purpose in *Supporting America’s Communities, Saving Lives, and Shaping Futures.” Please click the link at the top of the page to make your appointment! Sign up now for Operation Pulse Lift! 3k Fun Run The purpose of the 3K Fun Run is to provide conference attendees with a short, safe, and informal fitness activity before the start of the daily conference schedule. The run will promote wellness, camaraderie, and participation among Civil Air Patrol members and guests. The course will utilize the paved Penn Valley Trail* within Penn Valley Park. This event is intended to be inclusive and recreational, welcoming runners and walkers of all abilities. 5:45 AM Saturday Chiefs Game Package Please join us on Friday night at Arrowhead Stadium as two Super Bowl winners: the Kansas City Chiefs and the Seattle Seahawks go at it in preseason football action. You'll receive a ticket to the game and round-trip transportation via motor coach, hotel to the stadium. Bus depart hotel at 5:30 pm, for a 7:00 pm Kickoff. This offer is non-refundable and must be paid for at the time of reservation. Package price: $70. Author Book Signing Don't miss the opportunity to meet bestselling historian and author Sara Vladic during a special book signing during the Hangar. Her latest book, The Dangerous Shore, tells the remarkable story of how Civil Air Patrol's earliest volunteer pilots helped defend America's East Coast during World War II alongside an unlikely cast of heroes. CAP-NASA Meet n' Greet Have you been involved in any of the recent CAP-NASA missions including Aurora Watch or Aviation Skywatch? Come meet and greet with representatives from NASA. Join NASA representatives and fellow mission participants to connect and share experiences. Please note: A group photo of attendees and NASA representatives will be taken during the first 15 minutes of the session. Friday 3:15-4:00 PM Room: Pomona Cadet Programs Reception Connect with members of the National Cadet Programs Team and fellow senior members who share a passion for developing tomorrow's leaders. Whether you're looking to network, exchange ideas, or simply get to know the team, we invite you to stop by and enjoy light refreshments. Friday, 5:00-6:00 PM , Room: Mermaid B Commander's Reception Reception will have Cash Bar and heavy hot/cold hors d'oueveres. Dress is anything from smart business casual to Mess Dress. Add additional tickets for any guests who will be joining you. Cost: Regular price $99 Late & Onsite price: $129. Saturday: 7:00pm Official CAP Portraits Capture your official Civil Air Patrol portrait during National Conference! Stop by the portrait studio to have your professional photo taken in front of the CAP and American flags—perfect for unit websites, biographies, promotions, and professional profiles. Room: City of Fountains B Religious Services National Conference offers several opportunities for members to worship and observe their faith during the event. Shabbat Service - Friday 6:00-7:00 PM Seudah Dinner - Friday 7:00 PM Registration required - $36 Please join Chaplain (Maj.) Dovid Grossman and Chaplain (Lt. Col.) Linda Berez for a warm traditional Shabbat dinner with challah, wine, traditional Shabbat foods, lively conversation, and inspirational words of Torah. This event is open to all. Catholic Mass - Saturday 5:00 PM Protestant Service - Saturday 5:00 PM Conference Coin At registration, purchase your own numbered 2026 National Conference Coin to commemorate your attendance. Purchase of this coin is non refundable. Only 500 coins are available for purchase. Vanguard Shopping Outlet Stock up on your Civil Air Patrol essentials at the Vanguard shopping area! Browse a wide selection of uniforms, insignia, apparel, accessories, and other official CAP items—all conveniently available during the conference. Room: City Beautiful A

Extra-curriculars, Tours & Off-Site Events

Interactive Photo Display - Cadets through the Decades

Bring your photo to add!

Were you a cadet? We want to see you! Bring a photo of yourself from your cadet days to add to our photo display at National Conference! Photos should be 5x7, 4x6, or smaller. Please bring a copy of your photo, as we may not be able to return photos after the conference. Be sure to stop by the display throughout the weekend to see just how many of us started out as cadets—and see if you recognize anyone!

QPR Suicide Prevention Training & Certification

QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer) Suicide Prevention Training equips participants with practical skills to recognize warning signs of suicide, engage in a supportive conversation, and connect individuals with appropriate resources. In this interactive 90-minute session, participants will earn an a certification from the QPR Institute and gain confidence in responding when someone may be in crisis.

The session will take place over one learning session and part of the hangar session that immediately follows it. Two time slots available (Friday morning & Saturday Morning). Pre-registration is required (in the Sub-event section). Cost: $10.

For more information about QPR, visit: https://qprinstitute.com/about-qpr

Operation: Pulse Lift Sign-ups!

Give a little, save up to three lives. Please consider joining us in supporting the Red Cross with our annual Operation Pulse Lift blood drive on Friday, August 28. Since 2020, your efforts through Operation Pulse Lift have resulted in almost 89,000 units of blood, with each unit potentially saving 3 people. CAP’s Operation Pulse Lift is CAP’s largest and longest mission event in history. It truly embodies CAP’s purpose in Supporting America’s Communities, Saving Lives, and Shaping Futures.” Please click the link at the top of the page to make your appointment! Sign up now for Operation Pulse Lift!

3k Fun Run

The purpose of the 3K Fun Run is to provide conference attendees with a short, safe, and informal fitness activity before the start of the daily conference schedule. The run will promote wellness, camaraderie, and participation among Civil Air Patrol members and guests.

The course will utilize the paved Penn Valley Trail within Penn Valley Park.

This event is intended to be inclusive and recreational, welcoming runners and walkers of all abilities.

5:45 AM Saturday

Chiefs Game Package

Please join us on Friday night at Arrowhead Stadium as two Super Bowl winners: the Kansas City Chiefs and the Seattle Seahawks go at it in preseason football action. You'll receive a ticket to the game and round-trip transportation via motor coach, hotel to the stadium. Bus depart hotel at 5:30 pm, for a 7:00 pm Kickoff. This offer is non-refundable and must be paid for at the time of reservation.

Package price: $70.

Author Book Signing

Don't miss the opportunity to meet bestselling historian and author Sara Vladic during a special book signing during the Hangar. Her latest book, The Dangerous Shore, tells the remarkable story of how Civil Air Patrol's earliest volunteer pilots helped defend America's East Coast during World War II alongside an unlikely cast of heroes.

CAP-NASA Meet n' Greet

Have you been involved in any of the recent CAP-NASA missions including Aurora Watch or Aviation Skywatch? Come meet and greet with representatives from NASA. Join NASA representatives and fellow mission participants to connect and share experiences. Please note: A group photo of attendees and NASA representatives will be taken during the first 15 minutes of the session.

Friday 3:15-4:00 PM Room: Pomona

Cadet Programs Reception

Connect with members of the National Cadet Programs Team and fellow senior members who share a passion for developing tomorrow's leaders. Whether you're looking to network, exchange ideas, or simply get to know the team, we invite you to stop by and enjoy light refreshments.

Friday, 5:00-6:00 PM , Room: Mermaid B

Commander's Reception

Reception will have Cash Bar and heavy hot/cold hors d'oueveres. Dress is anything from smart business casual to Mess Dress. Add additional tickets for any guests who will be joining you.

Cost: Regular price $99 Late & Onsite price: $129.

Saturday: 7:00pm

Official CAP Portraits

Capture your official Civil Air Patrol portrait during National Conference! Stop by the portrait studio to have your professional photo taken in front of the CAP and American flags—perfect for unit websites, biographies, promotions, and professional profiles.

Room: City of Fountains B

Religious Services

National Conference offers several opportunities for members to worship and observe their faith during the event.

Shabbat Service - Friday 6:00-7:00 PM
Seudah Dinner - Friday 7:00 PM
- Registration required - $36
- Please join Chaplain (Maj.) Dovid Grossman and Chaplain (Lt. Col.) Linda Berez for a warm traditional Shabbat dinner with challah, wine, traditional Shabbat foods, lively conversation, and inspirational words of Torah. This event is open to all.
Catholic Mass - Saturday 5:00 PM
Protestant Service - Saturday 5:00 PM

Conference Coin

At registration, purchase your own numbered 2026 National Conference Coin to commemorate your attendance. Purchase of this coin is non refundable. Only 500 coins are available for purchase.

Vanguard Shopping Outlet

Stock up on your Civil Air Patrol essentials at the Vanguard shopping area! Browse a wide selection of uniforms, insignia, apparel, accessories, and other official CAP items—all conveniently available during the conference.

Room: City Beautiful A

Activities For Cadets
Cadets, get ready for a conference experience designed just for you! This year’s National Conference features exciting opportunities to connect, explore, compete, and build your future alongside cadets from across the country. From networking events to interactive challenges, there’s something for everyone. Highlights include: Cadet Meet & Greet NCAC Open House Cadet Mystery Evening Activity Cadet Lounge Scavenger Hunt Cadet Career Connections Panel & Networking Visit the Cadet information page for more details.

Activities For Cadets

Cadets, get ready for a conference experience designed just for you! This year’s National Conference features exciting opportunities to connect, explore, compete, and build your future alongside cadets from across the country. From networking events to interactive challenges, there’s something for everyone.

Highlights include:

Cadet Meet & Greet
NCAC Open House
Cadet Mystery Evening Activity
Cadet Lounge
Scavenger Hunt
Cadet Career Connections Panel & Networking

Visit the Cadet information page for more details.