Civil Air Patrol 
Commander's Corner
Welcome to Wesley Chapel Cadet Squadron. We are a new squadron whose inaugural meeting was October 21, 2009 with the actual charter date of 9 November 2009. We started out with 6 Seniors and 4 Cadets. As of August 16, 2010, we have 10 Seniors and 33 Cadets on the roster. We have a great meeting location at Tampa North Aero Park, there is no place better for Civil Air Patrol than at an Airport location. Plans are in the works to build out spaces attached to the FBO. A class room, general meeting area, changing room, Communications room, and office space.This has been a very active summer for our squadron. We have attended several Powered Fly Days, South Carolina Summer Encampment, Florida Summer Encampment, National Blue Beret in Oshkosh, WI, National Honor Guard Academy in Maryland, and we just completed the CAP Firearms Familiarization course taught by Member/NRA Certified Instructors in Ruskin FL. The Firearms training is always a favorite of cadets and seniors alike. We took some time for relaxation at Lake Tarpon with a midsummer pool party courtesy of our airport hosts and then got back to work as part of aircrews participating in the BP Oil Spill mission.
This seasons fund raising is kicking off in a fun and exciting fashion. Our squadron will be partnering with another local squadron in staffing concession stands at Raymond James Stadium during the Buccaneer and USF Bulls football games, Outback Bowl, and other special events. Senior members, Cadet parents, friends, and family will be volunteering to make all of this possible. My thanks to everyone for helping out!
With the Summer coming to an end, our cadets are returning to school to start the new academic year and begin recruiting again. Our cadets attend Wiregrass High, Wesley Chapel High, Weightman and John Long Middle. Some attend other area public schools, several have come from local Home School groups. The cadets will continue to spread the word and we hope to see our cadet numbers nearing that '50' mark this year.
To all in the Wesley Chapel Community, we invite youth from 12 to 18 years old and their parents to come visit the squadron and check us out. The Civil Air Patrol Cadet Program offers Leadership and Aerospace education and activities that will benefit any young person no matter what their chosen career path. Civil Air Patrol also teaches military discipline, customs and courtesy, respect, and integrity. We are the official auxiliary of the US Air Force thus everything we do is based on Air Force drill, regulation, and uniform. Parents are encouraged to be involved with their child in CAP. There are several ways to do that including becoming a sponsor or full member. Senior support is very important to the success of the squadron and there are many educational opportunities for seniors in CAP. From becoming part of an aircrew, ground search team, communications team, or utilizing Pilot Certificates in ways you never imagined, there will always be a challenge for you.
Come and visit the squadron, let us tell you about CAP!
Steve
Steve Lampasona, Capt, CAP
Commander
Wesley Chapel Cadet Squadron FL-458
www.wesleychapelcap.com
813-781-0689
