Local Civil Air Patrol members—including an Upper St. Clair High School junior—volunteered at Bower Hill Elementary Family Fun and Fitness Night in McMurray on Feb. 24.  

CAP cadets and senior members from the community organized a mini boot camp designed to be both fun and educational for students. A variety of stations included landing model airplanes on a runway, physical fitness contests, drill and ceremony practice and how fast you could get a uniform on.

For CAP students from Upper St. Clair and Peters, helping at Bower Hill’s Family Recreation Night has become an annual tradition.

“I really enjoyed seeing all the kids who were enthusiastic to work with me and the other cadets and generally have fun,” said Cadet Master Sergeant Anthony DeRubeis, a member of Allegheny Squadron 602 and a junior at Upper St. Clair High School.

2dLt. Nancy Parker, a senior member with Washington Squadron 601 and a teacher at Bower Hill Elementary, organizes her squadron’s participation in the event each year.

“It’s great when we can work with the kids and help to promote Bower Hill’s Family Fun and Fitness Night,” said Lt. Parker. “This was our third year supporting their program … and we look forward to next year!”

The mini boot camp was sponsored by Washington Squadron 601, a local chapter of CAP, an all-volunteer, civilian auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force that provides emergency services, search and rescue, youth leadership programs and more to the community.

Washington Squadron 601 holds their weekly meetings on Wednesdays from 7 to 9 p.m. at the National Guard Armory, 125 Goodridge Rd., Washington.  Allegheny Squadron 602 meets weekly on Tuesdays from 6:45 p.m. to 9:15 p.m. at Allegheny County Airport in West Mifflin.

For more information on local squadrons, visit their websites at www.Squadron601.us and capsqd602.com.