Members of the Burlington Composite Squadron of the North Carolina Wing visited Hawfields Middle School in Mebane on 12 November. The visit provided the students, grades 6 through 8, with information about the Civil Air Patrol and its activities. Four senior members and two cadets made the visit. The presentation was attended by 26 students.
"The Burlington Composite Squadron took its next test toward future growth and meeting its long-term goal of 60 members by making this presentation," explains Capt Andy Wiggs, Commander of the squadron. "This is part of our multi-pronged approach to recruiting quality personnel into the squadron."
Capt Wiggs explained that the squadron's plan is to attract recruits with multiple concurrent efforts. The internet is one way for the squadron to recruit cadets who might already be interested in the Civil Air Patrol. School students targeted by these visits may have little awareness of the cadet program, and so the visit benefits the squadron by increasing awareness. In addition, a word-of-mouth campaign is fueled not only by current cadets and new recruits, but also by other students in attendance of a visit by C.A.P. members.
The visit to Hawfields Middle School was made possible by the efforts of a number of individuals. Those members who took part in the visit are listed below.
- Capt Andy Wiggs, CC NC-022
- Maj Jonathan Johnson, NC-022
- Capt David Buslinger, NC-022
- 1st Lt Kertis Henderson, NC-022
- C/1st Lt Zachary Bauchman, Cadet CC NC-022
- C/1st Lt Will Buslinger, NC-022
The students in attendance asked numerous questions about the three missions of the Civil Air Patrol. Many of the children were interested in the ground team equipment brought by Capt Buslinger. Maj displayed aeronautical charts and a poster of aircraft controls, and he spoke about Aerospace Education. Capt Wiggs described the Cadet Program and answered questions about cadet activities. Cadets Baughman and Buslinger described their experiences as cadets and the enjoyment they've gotten from the program.
