Parents

THANK YOU for supporting your son’s or daughter's interest in the Civil Air Patrol's Cadet Program. Through their experiences as CAP cadets, young people develop into responsible citizens and become tomorrow's aerospace leaders.

CAP is the volunteer, nonprofit auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force. Its three missions are to develop its cadets, educate Americans on the importance of aviation and space, and perform life-saving, humanitarian missions.

Civil Air Patrol appeals to young people who set high standards and want to do something big. Orange County Register Overview of the Cadet Program Leadership CAP introduces cadets to Air Force perspectives on leadership through classroom instruction, mentoring and hands-on learning. First, cadets learn to follow, but as they progress, they learn how to lead small teams, manage projects, think independently and develop leadership skills they can use in adult life. To fulfill its goal of developing young people into responsible citizens and aerospace leaders, the Cadet Program is organized around four program elements.

• Leadership
• Aerospace & STEM
• Fitness
• Character
• Emergency Services
  • Highlander Composite Squadron also focuses on Emergency Services as a composite squadron (Cadets & Senior members).

As cadets participate in these four elements, they advance through a series of achievements, earning honors and increased responsibilities along the way.

Resources:

• 
  Parents guide to the
  Civil Air Patrol Cadet Program
   
• Cadet protection
• Cadets having special needs
• Parents as volunteers

To learn more about Highlander Composite Squadron, Civil Air Patrol email highlander.co.cap@gmail.com.

Cadet Sponsor Members

CAP can always use more adult volunteers. If you are willing to serve occasionally as a chaperone or driver, consider joining as a Cadet Sponsor Member. CSMs pay a reduced rate of national dues and are exempt from local dues. To ensure they understand CAP missions and their role in supporting cadets, CSMs complete the Level I Orientation Course, and for safety are screened and trained per our cadet protection standards. For a uniform, CSMs may wear a distinctive CAP uniform such as a special CAP polo shirt, or opt to remain in appropriate civilian attire. 

Next Step:  Email the Squadron Commander, Maj Kent Borchelt if you would like to learn more about becoming a Sponsor member.

Adult Volunteers

CAP can always use more adult volunteers. If you are willing to help in other ways or have skills that may benefit the squadron, such as sewing patches on uniforms, organizing banquets or squadron picnics, organizing an activity, being a guest speaker, helping with CyberPatriots, requesting donations, or other items. Please let us know. As an adult volunteer, but not a sponsor member who has not undergone a background check or completed the Level I Orientation Course there are some limitations in what you can do.

Next Step:  Email the Advisor to the Commander, 1st Lt Tami Clements to let us know how you can contribute to the squadron.