Civil Air Patrol?

[mommytoe]

Can anybody help me? Would you let a 12 year old girl join?

My dd(11.5) has decided to join the civil air patrol when she turns 12 in Oct. I thought she would give up on the idea after a while, but instead she is getting more excited about it.

Dh thinks it would be good for her. He thinks she will become more disciplined. I think he just wants to live through her. He was in the civil air patrol as a teen and I think he is sorry to have left it.

Also I worry about her, because she is asthmatic and has learning disabilities.

 

[SwedishMeatball]

Can anybody help me? Would you let a 12 year old girl join?

My dd(11.5) has decided to join the civil air patrol when she turns 12 in Oct. I thought she would give up on the idea after a while, but instead she is getting more excited about it.

Dh thinks it would be good for her. He thinks she will become more disciplined. I think he just wants to live through her. He was in the civil air patrol as a teen and I think he is sorry to have left it.

Also I worry about her, because she is asthmatic and has learning disabilities.

Neither one of those should stop her from pursuing her interests. Parents worry, that's just what we do. But don't let those issues hold her back. Find ways to help her accomplish her goals safely.

 

[alexandmaddie]

Yes, I would. My daughter was in CAP a few years ago, she was 12 at that time. She really enjoyed it.

 

[golfgal]

Why would having asthma or learning disabilities prevent her from being in the Civil Air Patrol? If she wants to do it, let her try and then let HER decide if it is right for her or not, she is plenty old enough to do that.

 

[N&B'smom]

What exactly do they do in the CAP?

 

[ticktock]

I just looked this up and I think it's great. Does she want to fly? My son took an aeronautics summer camp a couple years ago and he got to fly a small plane like these. It was an amazing experience for him. We told him if he wanted to go for his pilots license we would pay for it but he's been too busy with school.

I think you should let her go for it.

 

[mommytoe]

Thank you all for your advice. I am leaving it to her.

She does love to fly.

Not being a helicopter parent takes a lot of work lol.

 

[sbsteel]

Our friend's daughter is involved in the organization - she absolutely loves it! She moved here from Austria about two years ago, so her English was behind those of her peers (although it's very good now!) and she was also dealing with some 'fitting in' issues as well. CAP was very good for her - good discipline, allowed her socialization outside of school, opportunities for community service, etc. She also got to attend an aviation camp this summer, which was a great experience for her.

If your chapter is run as well as this one, I think it would be a great opportunity for your daughter!

 

[Fifinella]

The CAP are a good bunch of folks. They do important work, like searches for lost aircraft. I considered volunteering as an adult, but just didn't have time back when I was flying a lot.

If your daughter loves to fly, and wants to pursue a career in aviation, or even pursue it as a hobby, you might look into having her meet some other women pilots. There's an organization called the Ninety-Nines made up of women pilots, and education is one of the things they do. If there is a chapter in your area, they generally hold periodic events, and of course, regular meetings. They are very supportive of girls interested in flying.

If she starts working with CAP, you'll be around the airport and you'll learn the ins and outs and who is who. It's really a little community. I hope she has a blast working with CAP.

Don't become a helicopter parent--stick with fixed-wing, it's way less expensive!

 

[cocodog]

I think it is a great program.

 

[Eeyore'sthebest]

I think you should let her join. You never know how it could effect your life.

My parents actually met in the Junior Civil Air Patrol when they were 15 years old. Last week they celebrated their 48th wedding anniversary. Not saying you're looking to marry off your 11 yo DD but I always like to tell that story to the young kids in CAP whenever I see them at an air show. They start looking at each other with their eyes all bugged out.