FAQs
Encampment FAQs
Does encampment staff provide transportation to and/or from encampment?
No. A cadet's family/guardian is responsible for getting them to/from the Marseilles Training Center for encampment. Due to set up and clean obligations before and after encampment, the staff has no extra time to transport cadets to/from the encampment. If cadets are anticipating travel issues, they are encouraged to communicate well ahead of the start of encampment with other cadets and/or senior members who will be attending to determine if they can make arrangements to car pool. Additionally, CAP units that are providing vehicles for encampment sometimes have space to take cadets from their unit or nearby ones.
Will I have to share a room with other cadets?
Yes. You will be staying in a large bay (room) in a barracks building. Each bay holds up to forty cadets (in bunk beds), but usually we have less per bay so that few (if any) cadets will need to sleep in the top bunk.
Pictures of a barracks bay:
Are the showers communal or individual?
Showers are individual. The showers were recently updated and as you see, the shower stalls are very roomy. Keep in mind though, there are a lot more cadets at encampment than showers, so your shower will be quick (~five minutes).
What kind of food will there be at encampment?
The encampment culinary staff are professionally trained and offer a variety of great tasting and healthy meals each day. In addition to the meals, healthy mid-day snacks are provided to give cadets a boost. Cadets with dietary restrictions can request meals to meet their restrictions. The culinary staff are generally able to provide alternate meals for those requesting them.
A previous encampment menu is below (this year’s will be similar):
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Day
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Breakfast
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Breakfast Sides
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Lunch
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Lunch Sides
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Dinner
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Dinner Sides
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Sunday
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Biscuits & Gravy
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Hard Boiled Eggs
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Chili Cheese Dogs
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French Fries
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Meatloaf
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Mashed Potatoes, Green Beans
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Monday
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French Toast
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Sausage Patties, Hot Apples
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Chicken Tenders
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Tater Tots
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Spaghetti & Meatballs
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Garlic Bread Sticks
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Tuesday
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Scrambled Eggs
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Bacon, Cinnamon Roll
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Nacho's/Tacos
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Corn
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Chicken Breast
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Roasted Potatoes, Roll
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Wednesday
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Sausage Biscuit
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Hash browns
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BBQ Pulled Pork
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Baked Beans
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Chicken Alfredo
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Bread Sticks
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Thursday
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Pancakes
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Sausage links
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Corn dogs
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Pasta Salad
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Chicken Wings
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Potato salad, Crinkle Cut Fries
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Friday
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Breakfast Burrito
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Bacon/ Sausage
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Ham/Turkey Cheese Sandwich
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Cole Slaw
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Cook Out
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Pizza, Chips, Soda
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Saturday
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Continental
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Breakfast
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BREAKFAST SALAD BAR: Yogurt, granola, fresh fruit, cereal, peanut butter, jelly, bread (anything else that seems appropriate for breakfast)
LUNCH & DINNER SALAD BAR: Fresh Salad, jello, cottage cheese, fresh fruit (anything else that seems appropriate for lunch & dinner) |
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Can I arrive at encampment late (or leave early) due to another event I have scheduled?
Yes, but it is preferred that all cadets arrive and depart at the scheduled encampment times/dates. Missing too much of encampment will result in the cadet not getting credit for encampment. If you have a schedule conflict, let the encampment commander know as soon as possible so we can determine if the arrival/departure will impact getting encampment credit.
Why can't cadets have their cell phones with them during encampment?
They are an unneeded distraction that would cause cadets to lose focus on the activities they are participating in. Additionally, text messages or phone calls or messages from parents/relatives/friends to the cadet could cause feelings of home sickness, lessening the resolve of the cadet to complete encampment.
Can cadets call home during encampment?
Yes, but calls home are typically for cadets who are having problems adjusting to life at encampment, at the recommendation of the encampment chaplain or counselor. Often times, when a cadet with minor anxiety issues calls home, hearing the sound of a loved one's voice only makes the issues worse. In several past cases, cadets calling home increased their anxiety so much that they could not function at encampment and their parents had to pick them up. These cadets never gained encampment credit. It should be noted that if a phone call home is made, it will not be from the cadet's phone.
Are there any ways to contact a cadet at encampment?
Yes. If it is an emergency, contact the encampment commander, Lt Col John Wenzel at 217-377-0301. Ensure you leave a message if the the call is not answered. For non emergencies, either text Lt Col Wenzel or email him at jwenzel@ilwg.cap.gov. The best way to send message to a cadet is to fill out a message in the Mail Call link on the encampment's main page. You can send a positive message to your cadet, encouraging them as the week goes on. The Mail Call messages are distributed to the cadets each day at dinner and are enjoyed by the cadets who receive them. Messages are screened prior to being distributed to ensure that they are suitable, so do not include any content that would be considered objectionable. Messages with inappropriate content are not given to cadets.
Can things be sent to the cadets at encampment?
Generally, no. Items sent generally won't arrive before the end of encampment. If items arrive after encampment they will remain at the Marseilles Training Center until the cadet or his family make arrangements to pick them up. This is an onerous process though that is not recommended. Any items which do arrive for cadets before the end of encampment will be held and given to them when they depart on graduation day. If a cadet needs a necessary item (uniform item, ID card, etc.) sent to them, contact encampment staff ahead of time to determine if a delivery will be feasible.
I am a new senior member and am interested in encampment. Do I need any special training or experience to attend encampment?
No. The only requirements for training is the completion of Cadet Protection Policy Training (CPPT) and Cadet Required Staff Training (RST) which can be done through the Absorb application in e-services. A great job for senior members attending their first encampment is Training Officer. Training Officers work with the cadets throughout the day, assisting both the basic (first year attendee) cadets and the cadet staff with advice, providing words of encouragement, and sharing life experiences that aid the cadets. Another bonus of attending encampment is that it qualifies as an event that senior members can use when advancing through the senior member promotional process.
I am a senior member and am the parent of a cadet that will be attending encampment. Could I (or should I) attend encampment as well?
Yes! Over the years parents have attended encampment with their children, making it a great memory that they both can share. Typically, parents are not assigned to the flight that their child is assigned to so that the cadet grows and learns on their own, but there will be ample opportunities to interact with each other as the week of encampment goes on.
Are watches permitted at summer encampment?
Yes, as long as they do not have internet access (i.e. a smart watch) or have a camera on them. A watch with internet access provides unnecessary distractions (cadets getting on the internet after lights out, during activities, etc.). A camera could cause serious privacy issues in the barracks, with its cohabitational living arrangement. In short, the only watches allowed at summer encampment are simple watches that do one thing: Tell the time.
Are "smart glasses" permitted at summer encampment?
No. Any smart glasses that have a camera or have internet access are not permitted due to privacy and distraction issues as mentioned in the answer above.
I have OCP and ABU uniforms. Can I bring both to wear?
Yes. Anyone attending encampment can wear either the Airman Battle Uniform (ABU) or the Operational Camouflage Pattern (OCP) uniforms as long as they are complete. Each uniform has specific items (boots, t-shirts, belt, etc.) that cannot be worn with the other uniform though, so ensure if you bring ABUs and OCPs you have all of the specific items that go with each one. And of course, the uniforms may not be mixed together (you can't wear an OCP shirt with ABU trousers, etc.).
When should I get uniforms for encampment?
Now. If you don't have the required uniforms and insignia for encampment, order them as soon as possible. In the past we've had cadets register for encampment in February but not order uniforms and insignia from Vanguard (CAP's supplier) until June. In February there are not many activities going on, so getting uniforms and insignia is not a problem, and even if it is out of stock, you will be able to get it a few months later. In June, there are many summer activities are going on and Vanguard runs out of uniforms and insignia quickly. Even if they get a restock in a few months, you've already gone past encampment.
Why do cadets needs two utility uniforms?
Because they will be wearing their utility uniform at least ten hours a day. Their uniforms will get sweatier as the week goes on. Additionally, if a cadet gets their uniform very dirty or damaged in some way, they will need to have another one to wear while their first tone is getting washed or repaired.
Why are there so many prerequisites for registration for the Communications School?
Communications school is designed for those who are already interested in communications and want to develop their skills to an advanced level, not an introductory "get to know communications" course. In years past, when the prerequisites were required upon arrival at encampment (instead of at registration), many students showed up at encampment without having completed any of them. This required staff to get the students certified in the prerequisites, thus wasting valuable time that could have been used for advanced training.
Does the encampment offer any scholarships?
No. In order to keep the registration fee low (ILWGSE is one of the lowest in the nation) we don't offer scholarships to cadets. Cadets should look at the CEAP section at the bottom of the encampment's main webpage if financial assistance is needed. Additionally, a link can be set up to have friends or family members pay all or a part of a cadet's encampment registration. The instructions for setting up this link are here
When should the cadet and senior member staff arrive at encampment?
Generally, we would like to have all of the staff arrive on the Friday before encampment starts on Saturday, but some higher level staff positions arrive on Thursday. All staff will be notified through their chain of command (cadet or senior member) what day they are requested to arrive at encampment. If staff cannot arrive on an earlier day, they should make their chain of command aware of that. All staff should be at encampment prior to the opening of encampment at 1 pm on Saturday.
What is included with the encampment registration fee?
The encampment registration fee covers all food and lodging for the entire encampment. Cadets do not have anywhere on the base to spend money, so they do not need to bring a lot of money with them. It is a good idea though to bring around $20, so that if a cadet has forgotten an essential item (soap, toothpaste, tennis shoes, etc.), encampment staff can get that for them when going into town on supply runs.
I haven't been to an encampment, but am planning on attending spring encampment. Can I be on staff for summer encampment? You can apply for staff, but if selected you must successfully complete spring encampment. If not, you will be in the basic encampment for summer. Additionally, if you have completed spring (or any other) encampment and want to attend summer encampment as a basic cadet, you can do that. You will be used a mentor and guide for newer cadets, including getting first consideration for the role of element leader, guidon bearer, or any other leadership positions within your flight.