Cadet Open House - New Members and Parents
About this Event
Find your mission.
Most 14-year-olds don't get to fly an airplane. Ours do — five times, free, before they're old enough to drive.
Gettysburg Composite Squadron, Civil Air Patrol is opening its doors for one night. Civil Air Patrol is the official auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force, and its cadets fly, train in search and rescue, compete nationally, and lead each other — real responsibility, handed to teenagers who earn it.
What the night looks like
After a short welcome, we split up.
Prospective Cadets leave the room and join a Cadet-led session. You'll meet cadets in uniform who'll explain what each one means, learn drill and then actually do it, hear what the fitness standard involves, ask anything you want, and build a glider to take home.
Parents and guardians get a straight briefing from current cadet parents and squadron staff: what your kid actually does week to week, how promotion is earned, cadet protection and safety, what it costs, what financial aid exists, and how far this goes — squadron, wing, national flight academies, scholarships, and advanced enlistment grade for those who go on to serve. Then open Q&A for as long as you have questions.
Then we all come back together, with light refreshments throughout.
Friday, 28 August 2026 · 7:00–9:30 PM
230 Greenamyer Ln, Gettysburg, PA 17325
Free · All welcome
One more thing worth knowing: new cadets start together as a group, so there's a real class of first-timers finding their footing side by side instead of one new face joining a room already up and running. That's why we only open the doors a few times a year. The next chance after this one is November.
Open to youth ages 12–18. Applications must be submitted before the 19th birthday. Parents and guardians are strongly encouraged to attend.
Where is it happening?
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
USD 0.00
