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Sky's the limit for Civil Air Patrol members
AEX Dec 17
Cadets Kade Bolton (from left), Dimitri Stepanov, Christina Bowen, Savina Oates and Jace Flippo work together on a recent project. - photo by Submitted

RINCON — The wild blue yonder is filled with exciting opportunities for aviation enthusiasts in Effingham County.

A local Civil Air Patrol cadet squadron is set to display its aerial offerings during an open house Jan. 30 at 6:30 p.m. The organization meets in Building 200 at Redeemer Baptist Church, 226 Goshen Road.

Cadet activities include flying, leadership training, running obstacle courses, model rocketry, team building, hiking and camping, earning ranks and rewards, search-and-rescue missions, exploring aviation careers and making friends.

Prospective cadets must be at least 12 years old and must not have reached their 19th birthday. Cadets can stay in the program until they turn 21 as long as they have not entered active duty and are enrolled in a school.

Their is no military commitment after completion of the program but many cadets choose that path.

On average, Effingham County’s squadron meets two hours per week and one Saturday per month. Additional activities are slated during the summer.

“It’s education and training,” said Lt. Col. Jeffrey Rogers, squadron commander. “It’s not just coming in and sitting through classes every week. It’s hands-on.”

Since its beginnings in 1942, more than one million cadets have benefitted from the Civil Air Patrol’s leadership, character development, fitness and aerospace/STEM education curriculum.

See the Jan. 24 edition of the Effingham Herald for more details.