2023 JOINT DAKOTA ENCAMPMENT - REGISTRATION

Joint Dakota Encampment is a highly anticipated activity each year, operated jointly by South Dakota Wing and North Dakota Wing. Encampment is often touted as the most influential week in a cadet's career. First year students attend the Basic Learning Course (BLC), where they have the opportunity to learn followership, teamwork, and self-discipline. Second year students can attend the Advanced Leadership Course (ALC), or apply for staff. Cadet Encampment is “an immersion into the full challenges and opportunities of cadet life”. These courses are held annually, mid-summer, at either Camp Rapid, South Dakota, or Camp Grafton, North Dakota. In 2023, the encampment will be held at Camp Rapid. The purpose is for cadets to develop leadership skills, investigate the aerospace sciences and related careers, commit to a habit of regular exercise and reinforce their moral character. Encampment is open to cadets who have completed Achievement 1 (first promotion) and have permission from their parents or guardian and unit commander.

Basic Leadership Course

Encampment's Basic Leadership Course (BLC) is the first year experience for new cadets. Also known as Basic Encampment, it opens many doors to further promotion, scholarships, and national activities! But Encampment is much more than just a requirement. It's also a learning opportunity, and like all CAP cadet activities, fun is included! At basic Encampment, new Cadet Students learn drill movements, perfect customs and courtesies, memorize Civil Air Patrol facts, and practice followership.

Encampment's purpose is to provide the most influential week of training in a cadet's career. You'll definitely learn a lot! But there are also a lot of benefits for going to basic Encampment. Most Civil Air Patrol scholarships require that you first attend Encampment. National Cadet Special Activities are also available to CAP cadets who have completed Encampment. Encampment is a requirement before promoting to a cadet officer.

The staff has been working to make this year's Encampment the best experience for you! Be sure to apply right away as there is limited space.

Advanced Leadership Course

After attending basic Encampment, cadets are encouraged to come back and attend again! Second year students can apply for ALC (Advanced Leadership Course), as well as apply for staff cadre positions. Encampment's Advanced Leadership Course is geared towards developing teamwork and leadership skills in Cadet NCOs and Officers in a challenging environment. ALC will be more difficult than your first year at Encampment, but the extra work is worth it!

Many of the skills you'll learn in ALC can be transferred to CAP staff positions at your home squadron. However, ALC is more than just a staff prep school. It is a much more robust program that focuses on leadership and personal growth. Here, students learn how to think independently and lead a team towards a common goal. This is done through ALC-specific activities that aren't offered to the rest of Encampment. ALC isn't for everyone. To apply, you must have already graduated from Encampment.

At ALC, you'll learn advanced leadership concepts and have a chance to put them into practice. You'll hear from guest speakers, practice planning and following schedules, and spend time with multiple hands-on activity days.

Cost

BLC Student - $300.00

ALC Student - $300.00

Cadet Line Staff / Cadet Support Staff - $250.00

Senior Member - $150.00

(This link is for registering. Registered members will receive information on the application process and how to make payment at a later date.)