HARTSELLE, Ala. – A Civil Air Patrol squadron in Hartselle is inviting local families to learn more about its youth and adult programs.
The group meets each Thursday at 5:30 p.m. at the Agape House, 205 Hickory St. SE in Hartselle.
According to Deputy Commander Lt. Col. Michael McEntyre, the Civil Air Patrol offers young people ages 12-18 opportunities to explore aerospace, leadership, cybersecurity and emergency services while also helping prepare them for future careers and responsibilities.
He said the organization also provides ways for adults to volunteer, teach and serve in a variety of support roles.
“I want to introduce you to the Civil Air Patrol established on Dec. 1, 1941,” McEntyre said. “Today, CAP continues to serve the nation with over 60,000 volunteers performing missions that include search and rescue, disaster relief, counterdrug operations and youth development. We are the largest private fleet of airplanes in the world which is overseen by the U.S. Air Force.”
McEntyre said the program follows a military-style structure that helps teach discipline, responsibility, military customs and courtesy.
He said cadets can take part in flying opportunities, flight academies and classes covering engineering, medical introductions, drones, search and rescue and radio procedures.
“One of our core missions is to teach kids 12-18 years old about aerospace, leadership, cybersecurity and emergency services,” he said. “We take kids flying and have flight academies for which they can learn to fly. We have classes in engineering, medical introductions, drones, search and rescue plus many more.”
McEntyre said volunteers also play an important role in helping prepare young people for the future.
He said adults, prior military members and educators can all help continue the organization’s mission by teaching skills and mentoring cadets.
“We help prepare young adults for the future. We do this through volunteers as in youths, adults, prior military service members and even educational teachers to continue Civil Air Patrol’s legacy,” he said. “Volunteers learn and teach others. A cadet who’s qualified in radio may teach other cadets or even adults in proper radio procedures. Volunteers can become part of an aircrew as an observer, scanner or photographer for missions.”
The organization also needs qualified pilots and volunteer pilots to support missions, training and orientation flights for cadets, along with community support and search and rescue efforts.
“To be able to fly missions such as orientation flights for cadets, community support, search and rescue,” he said.
The organization also offers programs for teachers and homeschool parents, along with volunteer roles focused on mentorship, character development and crisis response.
McEntyre said Civil Air Patrol provides STEM kits and classroom materials through several education initiatives designed to help students learn about aerospace, physical fitness and leadership.
“We also have an educator’s program. This program is for teachers and homeschool parents,” McEntyre said. “CAP can supply teaching materials to help educate students with STEM kits.”
McEntyre said those resources include the Teacher Orientation Program, Aerospace Connections Education for grades K-6 and the Aerospace Education Excellence program.
“The Teacher Orientation Program (TOP) flies Teachers. The Aerospace Connections Education (ACE) program k-6 has lesson plans for aerospace, physical fitness and character education, and the Aerospace Education Excellence (AEX) program has six lessons for the aerospace award program,” he said.
McEntyre said the organization also needs volunteers who can help guide cadets in character development and support members during difficult situations.
“We don’t want to forget about our Chaplain and Character Development Instructor program. You can volunteer to teach cadets about our core values of Integrity, Volunteer Service, Respect and Excellence,” he said. “You can also provide caring and appropriate crisis response counseling, be there for our members going through challenges and ensuring the religious liberty of every person. During disaster relief, you can provide support to individuals going through disaster.”
Those interested in learning more about the program can visit www.gocivilairpatrolcom. McEntyre said visitors can enter their zip code to find a nearby squadron, along with meeting days, times, locations and a contact person for questions.
“We have so much to offer and so many opportunities for youths and adults to learn,” he said.
Unit contact David A. Stoner can be reached at 901-230-9255 or david.stoner@alwg.us. McEntyre can be reached at 205-914-4146 or michael.mcentyre@alwg.us.
