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Activities

Cadets are young leaders who think seriously about their futures. They may not yet know exactly what they want to do in adult life, but they're test-flying potential career interests.

Cadet activities are akin to electives at school, and CAP schedules them mostly as "Saturday" and "school vacation" programs. Some of the most popular career fields among cadets are shown below, with links to suggested electives for 1st and 2nd year cadets. Cadets remain free to mix-and-match to their liking. 

Potential Career Pathways

 

1st Year Cadets

2nd Year Cadets & Beyond

Aviation

Orientation flights

Encampment

Aviation 101 - ERAU

National Flight Academy 
   powered or glider

National Blue Beret

Aviation-themed NCSAs / CSAs
  SUPTCFC, AMMA, MARC, CAGS 
  

College & Flight Scholarships

Youth Aviation Initiative Programs

Military

Encampment

Cadet Honor Academy

Cadet Competition

Cadet Officer School

National Emergency
Services Academy

Military-themed NCSAs / CSAs
  PJOC, Hawk Mtn., SUPTCFC,
  AFSCFC

 

Technology

Encampment

CyberPatriot

AEX
Aerospace Excellence

Technology-themed NCSAs / CSAs
  E-Tech, AFCEA, AFSCFC

College & Flight Scholarships

 

Leadership

Encampment

Cadet Competition

Wreaths Across America    

Cadet Advisory Council

Cadet Officer School

Red Ribbon
Leadership Academy

National Character &
Leadership Symposium

 

Core & Elective Curricula

The core cadet curricula are those tasks every cadet is required to complete along his or her journey to the Spaatz Award. Cadets accomplish these mostly during weekly squadron meetings, special "Saturday" activities, and encampments.

The real fun in cadet life is in the special activities or electives. Beyond the core curriculum, cadets have opportunities to follow their own interests and explore potential careers. The higher a cadet advances in cadet grade, the greater breadth of opportunities become available. Electives are mostly experienced as weekend and summer programs. 

Annual Calendar

Plan your year now. Take note of the major events on the annual cadet calendar. 

Month Event

Jan

National Cadet Special Activity applications due for cadets wanting to be considered for "Primary" status

College & flight scholarship applications close  

Feb

Summer Encampments announced

Mar

College & flight scholarship winners announced

National Cadet Special Activity "Primary" slotting announced

Apr

 

May

 

Jun

 

Jul

 

Aug

Cadet Advisory Council appointments due

Sep

 

Oct

Winter Encampments announced

Cadet Advisory Council term begins

Nov

 

Dec

National Cadet Special Activities announced & begin accepting applications 

College & Flight Scholarship opportunities announced & begin accepting applications

 

"I made my first solo flight at a CAP encampment!" 

Colonel Eric Boe, USAF
Astronaut

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