Parents, Cadets and Seniors:

There are several events each year that Anoka Composite Squadron participates in.  Many are organized at the Wing level.  

To help you with your planning, here are rough times of year when you can expect these events:

Feb/Mar - Encampment Staff Training Weekends
There are typically two weekends where the cadet staff go up to Camp Ripley to train and prepare for Encampment.  Only cadets and seniors who have been selected as staff need to attend

April - Wing Conference
Minnesota Wing's Annual Conference is typically over one of the last weekends in April up at Breezy Point in northern Minnesota.

April/May - Encampment Preparatory Schools (EPS)
EPS is offered twice prior to Encampment.  Cadets who plan to attend Encampment for the first time are encouraged to attend an EPS.  This is a weekend activity up at Camp Ripley and gives the cadets an introduction to what the week-long Encampment will be like, should they choose to attend.  EPS is typically offered on one weekend in April and one weekend in May.  A cadet need only attend one EPS.  

Additionally, if a cadet is less than 14 years old and does not have the C/SSgt rank, the Minnesota Wing requires that cadet to attend an EPS in order to apply for an Encampment.

Register early.  Registration will be limited each weekend to balance out attendance.

First weekend in June - Discover Aviation Days (formerly Blaine Aviation Days)
Anoka County Airport - Janes Field is the home to Anoka Composite Squadron. During this event, we have a recruitment booth, provide flight marshaling for aircraft and our parent group usually works a concession stand.  It's a great opportunity for us to give back to our home airport and share CAP with the community. 

June/July - Encampment
Minnesota Wing Encampment is a one-week activity for cadets, usually held in June or July, at Camp Ripley.  Dates are usually selected the fall prior, but cannot be confirmed until January when Camp Ripley has its planning meeting for the year.  Cadets are required to graduate an Encampment to earn their Mitchell Award and promote to C/2dLt.

Register early. Space can be limited depending on what buildings Camp Ripley has allotted for this activity. 

August - Forest Lake Air Show
This annual fly-in is a one-day event at the Forest Lake, MN airport.  It's another opportunity for the cadets to marshal aircraft and for CAP to share its purpose in the greater community.  The EAA typically offers introductory flights to many kids.  The cadets are also able to take a flight at the end of the show, if time is available.

September - Parade of Tribute
Beginning in 2011, the Annual Parade of Tribute is held in Minneapolis, honoring all military and service organizations - including Civil Air Patrol.  This is likely to be held on a Saturday in September.

October MEA Weekend - Minnesota Leadership Academy
While other kids may be off on vacation, cadets in the Minnesota Wing have the opportunity to be at Camp Ripley to learn more about and develop their leadership skills. Schools that may be available include:

• Airman Training School - for those newer cadets who are still in the Airman phase and have not graduated from Encampment
• Non-Commissioned Officers School (NCOS) - for cadets in the Airman or NCO phases who have graduated from an Encampment and have not attended NCOS before
• Basic Commissioned Officers Course (BCOC) or Regional Cadet Leadership School (RCLS) - for cadets who have attended NCOS before and are preparing or just entering the Officer phases. RCLS is also a required component for cadets who want to earn the Eaker Award and promote to C/LtCol.