Above: Kaylee Cronberg graduated from the Civil Air Patrol Minnesota’s Wing Encampment on June 30. Left: Part of Cronberg’s training includes learning about aircraft, even taking the controls for a bit.
Camp Ripley Military Reservation hosted a number of Civil Air Patrol Cadets June 23 – June 30, 2013. Kaylee Cronberg, 16, of Grand Marais, was among the 105 cadets from statewide Civil Air Patrol Squadrons who graduated from this year’s Minnesota Wing Encampment on June 30, 2013.
Cronberg is a member of the Duluth Composite Squadron, 15th Cadet Training Group, Minnesota Wing, Civil Air Patrol. She was named Honor Cadet for the Echo flight at the encampment.
“Encampment is the most significant week of training these cadets will ever have in Civil Air Patrol. They experience things that most people their age never get to experience. They learn not only the basic principles of followership, but also to work on a team. It is really impressive to watch these cadets grow throughout the week,” commented the encampment commander, Major Brian Freseman.
The Civil Air Patrol’s Cadet Program is designed to provide youth from 6th grade through age 20 with a safe, encouraging environment in which to learn, mature, and explore opportunities that help them reach their potential as adults. More information on the program can be found at www.cadetleadership.org.
At the encampment, cadets participate in a structured program through group and individual activities. They take part in challenging physical training and must pass a Cadet Physical Fitness Test (CPFT). Physical training culminated in a Victory Run and a volleyball competition, which Kaylee’s group, Echo Flight, won.
Cadets must also pass a written exam that tests them on knowledge of CAP standard operating procedures (SOP). They attend classes on a variety of topics, including aerospace education, leadership, and moral and ethical values.
Upon completion of each achievement, the cadet earns increased cadet rank, decorations, awards, eligibility for national and international special activities, and an opportunity for flight and academic scholarships. The program aims to produce well-rounded, confident young people equipped to meet the challenges of adulthood.
Kaylee, who works at World’s Best Donuts, is the daughter of Tyson and Mindy Cronberg of Grand Marais. Kaylee continues her involvement with Civil Air Patrol and attends monthly meetings with the Duluth Civil Air Patrol squadron every Thursday night. She plans to eventually earn her pilot’s license.
Civil Air Patrol, the official U.S. Air Force Auxiliary, is a civilian, volunteer, nonprofit service organization. The unpaid members perform more than 85 percent of inland search and rescue missions as tasked by the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center. Volunteers also take a leading role in aerospace education and conduct one of America’s finest youth programs through CAP Cadet Programs. For more information about Civil Air Patrol, visit www.mncap.org.
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