This page is to provide you with information to help you understand what is expected of your cadet at this activity, and how you can help make that experience more enjoyable for him/her.
Things you can do to help...
The Encampment has long days and lots of physical activity. Probably more than your child is used to. Anything you can do to encourage them to get in physical shape prior to the Encampment will help ease that transition. If they have been ill, consider very carefully whether they should attend. While we can handle minor ailments, if someone cannot participate at least an 80% level, we will make the decision to send them home. This is disruptive for you (since you will be responsible for getting them home), and it is also upsetting to the cadet and to the new friends they have made at the Encampment. Cadets that have recently been exposed to any infectious disease should obviously not attend. If you have any concerns or questions, contact a member of the encampment staff. Contact information is located in the 'Contacts' tab above.
Our Medical Officer will be available 24 hours a day during the Encampment. The major medical problem at the encampment is blisters. Make sure that their boots fit and that they have 'broken them in' prior to arriving at the encampment. Make sure that they bring everything they need. There is an Equipment List attached to the Operations Order. Make sure that they don't bring anything that is forbidden (i.e., gameboys, CD players, cell phones, food, etc.) or illegal (i.e., alcohol, drugs, tobacco products). Forbidden items will be confiscated at in-processing and returned at the end of the Encampment. It is better to not bring them in the first place. Any cadet found to have illegal items will be dismissed from the Encampment at the parents' inconvenience and expense.
Homesickness
Many cadets who are away from home for the first time experience homesickness while at the Encampment. There is a period of adjustment that is natural when transitioning from summer vacation to a rigorous training schedule. Experience has shown that if cadets receive encouragement and give the Encampment a chance for at least three days, most will end up enjoying themselves and returning the following year.
If a cadet is having difficulty with homesickness, the cadet has many people at the Encampment to turn to, including the cadet staff members who have been through it in the past, the Tactical Officers, the Chaplain, the medical staff, and the senior command staff.
It is our hope that all cadets will remain at the Encampment, complete the week's training, and graduate. If it becomes apparent that a cadet is having a great deal of difficulty with homesickness, a decision for the cadet to return home may be made after consultation with the cadet, the cadet's parents or guardians, and the senior staff. If a decision is made for a cadet to leave the Encampment, it is the responsibility of the parents or guardians to pick the cadet up from the Encampment.