Local Civil Air Patrol unit plans open house

Worcester - The Goddard Cadet Squadron, local unit of the Civil Air Patrol, is hosting an open house from 3:30pm to 5:30pm on Sunday, September 22, 2019 at the Army National Guard Base at 640 Plantation Street in Worcester. The public is welcome to come learn more about CAP and its three primary missions of Cadet Programs, Aerospace Education, and Emergency Services.

For Cadet Programs, visitors will be able to discover how CAP provides teenagers with leadership experience, see what national activities are available to members, and even participate in a short military drill demonstration. For Aerospace Education, you can find about the opportunities our members have to fly in our own aircraft, model rocketry, and more. For Emergency Services, you can learn out about CAP’s role in assisting in natural disaster relief, searching for lost aircraft or people, and other benevolent tasks we perform for America.

Named for famed local scientist Robert H. Goddard, the Goddard Cadet Squadron has been recently honored with the Distinguished Unit Award, meaning it is recognized as being one of the best units in the country. Past or current members of Goddard Squadron have successful careers in a wide variety of fields, such as aviation, computers, science, teaching, first responders, and the military, including one former member currently attending the United States Air Force Academy and another at the the United States Military Academy in West Point, NY.

Open to anyone 12 years of age or older, the CAP program offers its members unique training and experiences that will help them in college, the business world, the military or other public service. At a weeklong event this summer, members participated in such activities as a robotic demonstration from Boston Dynamics, heard inspirational talks from leaders of business and government, flew in Blackhawk helicopters, and learned and practiced skills on how to lead and build teamwork. Members often form life-long friendships.

The open house is designed to create a greater awareness of CAP’s presence and contributions in the community as well as introduce what experiences and skills CAP can teach its members. You can also visit www.GoCivilAirPatrol.com or GoddardCadetSquadron.com for additional information.

Civil Air Patrol, the official auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force, is a nonprofit organization with over 61,000 members nationwide. CAP performs 90 percent of continental U.S. inland search and rescue missions as tasked by the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center. Its volunteers also assist federal, state and local agencies as needed. The members play a leading role in aerospace education and serve as mentors to more than 24,000 young people currently participating in CAP cadet programs. For more information, visit www.gocivilairpatrol.com.