SEARCH & RIBBIT?
You wouldn’t think that frogs have anything to do with Civil Air Patrol or with Emergency Services, but at Red Wing Composite Squadron of Minnesota Wing, at least once every year, frogs play a major role in an event called BlackCAP Emergency Services College.
BlackCAP attendees are issued their frog upon arrival and held responsible for the frog during a weekend of Emergency Services and Cadet Program type activities. On Friday evening, the flight staff is chosen and attendees are assigned into flights. Sometimes Officers are integrated into the flights with Cadets, sometimes they have their own separate flight – it depends because every year at BlackCAP is different.
BlackCAP is a creation of past Red Wing Squadron members and has been of an institution in Minnesota for over 20 years. The founders of the college are CAP members who still live in the Red Wing area and are still very active in the program; Lt Col Chaplain Donald Mikitta and Col Dale Hoium. Current squadron members keep BlackCAP fresh, but still honor the traditions of the past, such as the Polecat competition.
Each year at BlackCAP is different from every other year, though the curriculum has always been centered on Ground Team Training. Teamwork is stressed at BlackCAP, as well as creativeness and the ability to make training and learning Fun.
BlackCAP has always been a Red Wing squadron activity, but has always been open to Minnesota Wing, as well as the surrounding states. BlackCAP has had attendees from several other Wings, including Wisconsin, Nebraska, North Dakota, and South Dakota.
Much like an Encampment, BlackCAP generally ends with a formal graduation ceremony. Members who attend a BlackCAP at least 3 times are considered BlackCAP Cadre and receive a special certificate, BlackCAP patch for their BDU’s, and a pink flash that they can wear on their activity headgear, which is a special black cap.
BlackCAP is currently held in the spring of each year - so make sure to check out this website or the Minnesota Wing Announcements early in the year.