Other Information for Parents |
- Things you can do to help
- Homesickness
- Communication at Encampment
- Supervision at Encampment
Things you can do to help | |
The encampment has long days and lots of physical activity. Probably more than your teenager is used to. Anything you
can do to encourage them to get in physical shape prior to the encampment will help 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 the Encampment Commander prior to coming to 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 from last year available for download - the current one will arrive in the mail in June. 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). The full list of contraband items will be included in the Information Booklet to be mailed in June. 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. If your cadet needs to bring any medications (either prescription or over the counter), it is necessary for you to sign a "Permission to Self Medicate" form. This form is available on this website, but will also be in the Information booklet sent in June. Approximately 3 to 4 weeks prior to the encampment, you will receive a letter asking for any additional information regarding your cadet that you would like to communicate to the staff. This might be last minute medical update, recent family emergencies, or educational difficulties. | |
[ Return]
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. Experiene 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 even returning the next 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, the Tactical officers, the chaplain staff, the medical staff, and the senior executive 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 member 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. | |
[ Return]
Communication at the Encampment | |
If your cadet doesn't write home, it's because the days are packed with activities, our Stratton site has no mailbox ( inbound or outbound), and the cadet will probably arrive home before a letter does. We purposely do not let cadets telephone to help them develop self-sufficiency. In the event of any serious problem, we will contact you promptly. Should you have an emergency, the Encampment Information Booklet that will arrive in June, contains emergency contact information. | |
[ Return]
Supervision at the Encampment | |
Each cadet is part of a flight of 15 other cadets. Each flight has two cadet staff members who are in charge of
the flight. These cadet staff members have attended encampments in the past and have been
chosen from an application process to serve in these positions. Each flight has one or two senior staff members
assigned directly to it. These senior members are called Tactical Officers (TAC's). In addition
to the TAC officers, there are approximately 40 senior members who serve on staff for this encampment. Included
in this staff are 3 members of the chaplain staff and a medical staff of 3.
Cadets sleep in cabins or tents of 10 people. One of the 10 is a cadet staff member, another is a senior member. Cadets at the encampment are free to approach any of these staff with any issue at any time. The ultimate responsibility for the cadets and the week's events rests on the Encampment Commander. | |
[ Return]