Over 200 youth from across New York State participate in an intensive training environment as part of the Civil Air Patrol's cadet program.

The cadets, ranging in age from 12 to 20, learn hands on about leadership, aerospace, physical fitness, the Air Force and other topics.

The New York Air National Guard's 109th Airlift Wing hosts the U.S. Air Force Auxiliary Civil Air Patrol, for their 2008 New York Wing Leadership Encampment at Stratton Air National Guard Base in Scotia, New York.   

The cadets began encampment Saturday, July 19.  Their training culminates with a graduation ceremony on Saturday, July 26.

Civil Air Patrol is a non-profit, humanitarian organization with over 60,000 members nationwide. It is the official civilian auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force. CAP performs 95% of continental U.S. inland search and rescue missions, as tasked by the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center, and was credited last year with saving more than 140 lives. CAP volunteers also perform homeland security, disaster relief and counter-drug missions at the request of federal, state and local agencies. Members take a leading role in aerospace education and serve as mentors to the almost 25,000 young people currently participating in CAP cadet programs.

The CAP Cadet Program is designed for youth, aged 12 to 20, who participate in a wide variety of activities including aerospace education, flying, physical fitness, emergency services, disaster relief, character development, ethics, and leadership.  CAP has performed missions for America for more than 60 years.

The New York Wing Encampment takes place each summer to train cadets from all over New York State. 

Members of the media must contact Staff Sgt. Catharine Schmidt, 109th Airlift Wing public affairs specialist, by 4 p.m. on Friday, July 25, to gain access to Stratton ANGB for this event.  Media must be able to present photo ID at the front gate in order to enter the base and should arrive at 9:30 a.m.