About the Joint Dakota Cadet Encampment

Joint Dakota Cadet Encampment

BUILDING AMERICA’S LEADERS

North Dakota / South Dakota Wings
Civil Air Patrol

SUMMER 2026 Dates: 19 July 2026 to 26 July 2026 - Camp Grafton, ND (Devils Lake, ND) 

Notes: Staff/Cadre arrival Saturday 18 July.  

Thank you for visiting the North Dakota Wing Joint Dakota Cadet Encampment webpage. This is an activity with a rich heritage and history. The Civil Air Patrol has been training cadets in leadership since the 1950s and an encampment has been the main forum to cultivate and enhance the training. We invite you to become part of this heritage and accept the challenge of becoming one of the best.

The North Dakota and South Dakota Wings of the Civil Air Patrol invite you to take part our summer encampment held this year at Camp Grafton ND.

Civil Air Patrol has three missions:

Cadet Programs
Emergency Services
Aerospace Education

The summer encampment is the training ground for all cadets in Civil Air Patrol. At the encampment, cadets will bring the skills they have learned at Squadron, Wing, Region, and National level activities to teach others how to be better leaders. Encampment is not designed to be an activity run by Senior Members lecturing to the cadets. Instead, it is a place where cadets learn from other cadets and receive tutor-age and guidance from their senior officers.

This encampment is designed to teach and demonstrate leadership, team work, honor, courage, and determination. Every cadet will be required to participate fully and completely in each and every activity to the best of their ability. There will be obstacle courses to run, repelling towers to traverse, leadership classes, physical fitness, and moral leadership.

Encampment is not designed to be easy. It is designed to be a challenge all attendees must overcome. As long as each and every cadet puts in their 100%, they will receive ten fold back. There will be no option for failure.

Senior members that would like to assist at this encampment should contact the Encampment Commander, Maj. Daniel Sauerwein

Cadet related questions can be directed Cadet Encampment Commander, Maj. Collin Curran, and/or Commandant for Cadets, Maj. Nolan Hulick.

Cadet Encampment Assistance Program (CEAP)

Thanks to Air Force support, CAP has special funding available to cover encampment fees and uniforms with an emphasis on serving economically disadvantaged cadets.  An inability to afford encampment will not hold back cadets who want to participate in encampment.  See the link on the left for additional information and how to apply.

Summer CEAP Round 1 applications have closed.  However, because 2026 JDE starts on 19 July, 2026 JDE cadets can also apply for Summer CEAP Round 2 (late summer encampments starting 18 July and after).

Encampment Registration

Registration will be through CAP's Registration Zone in eServices.  Direct link:  https://www.capnhq.gov/CAP.Experiences.Web/Registration/RegistrationDetails?EventID=10953

Looking forward to seeing everyone at Camp Grafton!