NCSA

National Activities

National Cadet Special Activities (NCSA) are exciting training opportunities for cadets to experience unique opportunities to further their leadership skills, develop knowledge in various aviation and career related fields, and grow personally. NCSAs encompass a wide range of activities, each focusing on different aspects such as aerospace education, leadership development, physical fitness, and more. NCSAs typically last 7-9 days. Many take place during the summer, but there are opportunities through the year.

Examples of NCSAs:

• ES Academies

• Powered Flight Academies

• Glider Flight Academies

• Solo & Ground Academies

• Space Operations Academies

• Engineering Technologies Academies

• National Character & Leadership Symposiums

• Civic Leadership Academies

• and much more...

EXPLORE THE NCSAS

Is there funding available to help me go to a National Cadet Special Activity (NCSA)? 

There are several national-level scholarships and programs which are merit-based and some which assist cadets with financial need to attend NCSAs. Visit the CadetInvest pages of our website for details on each program to include deadline for funding submission.  You must apply via the CadetInvest module in eServices to be considered for financial awards.  You must also compete and be selected for a slot at the activity which is eligible for the award.  This video outlines the details of how to apply for our activities and national-level financial assistance.  

When and where do I apply for a National Cadet Special Activity (NCSA)? 

Applications, also known as the CAPF 31 "APPLICATION FOR CAP ENCAMPMENT OR SPECIAL ACTIVITY" or CAPF 60-81, for NCSAs are submitted via e-Services Registration and Payment System, typically from 1 December until the start of the activity. To receive preferential consideration, sometimes called priority placement, the application must be submitted electronically by 15 January. (Dates are subject to change.) Use this link to see a timeline for the current NCSA cycle.  Some NCSAs are region or wing activities which are nationally accredited to allow attendees the wear of the Cadet Special Activity ribbon.  Those activities may use a local registration.  To find out which system to use, look up the activity on NCSAS.com and read their instructions. 

Can I apply for more than one activity, even if they overlap?

You may apply for as many activities as interest you, and you are qualified to attend. When we "slot" cadets, which is move you to the "Primary" list for an activity, we try to put you into your highest preference that has an opening. If this slot has a date conflict with any other activities for which you are on the alternate list, those preferences will be removed from your application. That means if your first choice has a date conflict with the activity you ARE slotted for, the system will remove you from the alternate list since you can't be in two places at the same time.

How do I get approvals for my National Cadet Special Activity (NCSA) application?

Approvals from your unit and wing are required prior to being considered for an NCSA.  Approvals for those activities which use eServices registration are coordinated electronically through the e-Services Registration and Payment System.  Once a cadet (or senior member applying for staff) submits his completed application, it routes to the unit commander for electronic approval.  The commander is notified on his Commander’s dashboard that an approval is pending.  In addition, he can access the “Unit Approval” module in Registration and Payment System to approve pending applications.  The Wing does the same after unit approval.  The Wing Commander may also approve on his dashboard or via the “Wing Approval” module in Registration and Payment System.  When both approval are done your status will reflect "Alternate,"  meaning you are now a candidate for that activity.

How are cadets selected for National Cadet Special Activities (NCSAs)?  How does slotting work?

Most NCSAs are slotted through an automated process based on objective point values. NHQ tabulates cadets’ scores using data directly from E-Services.  Scoring is based on a date, typically within the second and third week of February.  The date is different each year, because slotting is run on a week day and scoring needs to occur 1 to 2 weeks prior. (See the table following this paragraph for how points are given.)  The cadets are then ranked and slotted--meaning moved from "alternate" list to "primary" list.  Cadets are selected based on their preference and slotting score. The highest scoring cadet(s) is looked at first, then the next highest scoring, until all slots are offered.  When it is the cadet's turn to be reviewed based on their score, their first preference is looked at.  If that activity is filled, then their next preference is considered and so on until they are placed or their preference list is exhausted, whichever happens first.  

Some activities, for example CLA, COS, IACE, and NCLS, and some unique national flight academies that require a supplemental, such as an essay or a questionnaire, and/ or an interview are slotted manually.  The activity staff grades the subjective items and then combines those scores with the objective scores to make final selections.