FROM: 2002 ENCAMPMENT COMMANDER

SUBJECT: 2002 New York Wing Leadership Encampment

• Welcome. Your senior staff is very excited and has been working very hard to prepare for the coming summer encampment, which is fast approaching. Last year’s encampment was a tremendous success, but the world has changed a lot since last August. I imagine that I am not the only one who is still coming to grips with the tragic events of last September and the many ways in which our lives are changing. This new era is, not surprisingly, also bringing many changes for those that serve under our flag in the armed services and the military installations on which they serve. Having said this, I hope that everyone will understand that, although your senior staff and our CAP-USAF Liaison Office are working very hard to prepare for this year’s Encampment, nothing can be taken for granted, and there is always the possibility that the dates and/or location might have to change between now and this summer.
• Dates and Location. With this said, I am pleased to announce that the New York Wing of the Civil Air Patrol is planning to conduct its 2002 Leadership Encampment once again at Fort Drum in Watertown, New York. The encampment will run from 27 July to 04 August for in-flight cadets and from 25 July to 05 August for cadet and senior staff. In-flight cadets are expected to arrive and depart on the dates indicated – there will be NO exceptions.
• Encampment Summary. For those of you, seniors and cadets, who are new to Civil Air Patrol and have not yet had the opportunity to attend an Encampment, I will describe briefly what they are about. Encampments are often the most significant and worthwhile event in a CAP Cadet’s career. Encampments will usually focus on one of the three missions of CAP: Aerospace Education, Emergency Services, and the Cadet Leadership Program. Our Encampment in New York Wing this year will be a Leadership Encampment, and will provide the opportunity for newer cadets to learn about followership and leadership by experiencing the life of an airman for a week. New cadets will learn the basics of being a CAP Cadet through a very rigorous training schedule during the week, and by living in military barracks with their fellow cadets. More experienced cadets will have the opportunity to grow and refine their leadership skills by serving on the cadet staff in a wide variety of positions.
• Application Requirements.

• Preparatory Training Workshops (STAFF ONLY). We will again be holding two staff workshops in preparation for the encampment. The first of these weekends will be the Leadership Workshop to be held from 12 to 14 April 2002. This will be a training weekend for both cadets and senior members interested in attending as staff. In addition to studying leadership theory and practice, we will also host a mentoring workshop and will continue the staff selection process. The second weekend will be the Staff Skills Workshop. This event will be held from 07 to 09 June 2002 and will focus on preparing cadet staff and their senior member mentors for the jobs that they will fulfill during the Encampment itself. Both events will be hosted at the Howard Johnson’s on Central Ave. in Albany, NY (take exit 2W from the Northway). Attendees must make their own room reservations at (518) 869-0281 prior to March 31 for the first weekend. The cost for these rooms is approximately $15 per cadet per room per night with quadruple occupancy. All attendees must also bring $6 for meals on Saturday. Both cadets and seniors are STRONGLY encouraged to attend these worthwhile events. More information will follow regarding their specifics.
• Cost. The cost for this year’s Encampment will be $175 per cadet, for both staff cadets and in-flight cadets. It has been necessary to raise the cost this year because it will be more expensive to provide food during the encampment. We strongly suggest that all squadrons conduct some fund-raising events during the coming spring to help defer the additional cost. The encampment will accept payment by check, money order, or credit card. Checks and money orders should be included in with the application papers. Those wishing to pay by credit card should fill out and sign the credit card authorization section of the NYWF 31. This information will be kept confidential at all times. Because of the increased cost of food this year, senior members will need to pay $10 per day up to a maximum of $50 per person. This cost will include meals and billeting in the barracks.
• New Application Forms. Please note that there are new application forms, dated Feb 2002, that will be used for this year’s encampment and the two training workshops. These include a new NYWF 17c "Application for Cadet Activities", NYWF 31 "Application for New York Wing Encampment", and NYWF96 "New York Wing Staff Application". The NYWF 17c will be used for attending the Leadership Workshop and the Staff Skills Workshop. The NYWF 31 will be used by all applicants (cadets and seniors, staff and in-flight cadets) for the Encampment itself. The new NYWF 96 will be used by all staff applicants (cadets and seniors) prior to the Encampment. Copies of the new forms will be sent to all squadrons in addition to being posted on both the New York Wing website at http://nywg.cap.gov/ and here.
• Mailing Address. Applicants should only submit ONE copy of each application form. All applications will be sent to the Encampment Registrar at the following address:
2002 NYWG Encampment Registrar
c/o Maj Mary Lou Falco
2 Mildred Lane
Latham, NY 12110 – 3519
• Application Deadlines. This year we will need all squadrons to be especially attentive to the various application deadlines that are set forth below, so that we can better plan for the encampment and so that we can accommodate with the new rules and security measures being set forth by our host facility, Fort Drum. NO LAST MINUTE APPLICATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED. Cadets who arrive at Fort Drum and have not been pre-registered for the Encampment WILL BE SENT HOME. The Fort Drum security policies require that we provide them with a list of who is attending prior to their arrival. The following is the event schedule and application deadlines. As a result of increased cadet enrollment this year, we may have limited space, and applications will be accepted on a first come first served basis. We understand that Senior Members often do not know if they will be able to get vacation time from work during the Encampment week until later in the spring. If this is the case, we encourage you to submit an application as soon as possible, and describe your situation. Upon receipt of your application by the Encampment Registrar, you will be sent a confirmation letter to indicate anything that we are missing in order to process your application. The following are important dates and deadlines:

• Distribution. We are counting on everyone in our Wing to help get the word out about this year’s Encampment and to encourage everyone to get their applications submitted on time. We are all looking forward to having a terrific Encampment again this year. Thank you for your support!

Sincerely,

Daniel W. Stouch, Capt, CAP

2002 Encampment Commander