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CAP Supports Brunswick County Sheriff’s Fall Festival and Church Fall Festival

CAP members distribute bags
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Cadets and senior members distributing bags to festival attendees. PHOTO CREDIT: Maj Kathy Nicholas, CAP (click image to view full size)
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Brunswick County Comp Squadron helps with two events

11/1/2016–The Brunswick County Composite Squadron (NC-170) assisted the Brunswick County Sheriff’s Office in their annual Fall Festival by providing manpower at the event’s entrance gate. Seven cadets and five senior members handed out candy collection bags/free meal tickets to the first 3,500 attendees 80 minutes into the two-and-a-half-hour event. The Brunswick County Sheriff’s Office complimented the cadets for keeping the lines moving.  CAP was asked to help because in previous years, the entrance backup dampened a fun evening.   

The Civil Air Patrol participation was organized by CAP Captain Dick Hart, the squadron’s Drug Demand Reduction (DDR) officer. Being at the front gate, visitors could not help but learn that the county has a local Civil Air Patrol squadron, and a CAP aircraft based at the Oak Island airport. The squadron’s recruiting booth was next to the entrance for those interested in more information on our cadet, emergency services and aerospace education programs. Cadets also distributed anti-drug stickers to those waiting in line.

Squadron members talked with dozens of potential recruits although most of the attendees had young children, below the 12th birthday starting age for cadets. This opportunity lets the community know we exist, and provides an option for young adults and adults interested in CAP programs.  An often-asked question was, “Is CAP open to girls too?”  "Absolutely!” replied Squadron Commander, Major Kathy Nicholas, “we have several female cadets and senior members.  Often families join together for the education, adventures and common experiences.”

The squadron then participated in back-to-back events. The following evening, 28 October, squadron cadets and senior members volunteered their time for parking duties at Beach Road Baptist Church. The church held their Family Fall Festival with food, games, hayrides and a bonfire. It is one of our ways the squadron is able to thank the church for using their space for CAP meetings at no cost to the squadron. Squadron members used their fight line marshalling skills in directing and parking over 150 cars and helped festival attendees to cross the street safely. 

The Brunswick County Composite Squadron meets the first four Tuesdays of the month at 18:30. For more information, visit our website at:  www.capnc-170.com, on Facebook; Civil Air Patrol - Brunswick Co -  MER-NC-170, or contact Major Nicholas at: (757) 639-7893.