Civil Air Patrol hosts Waterloo open house Aug. 20

The Civil Air Patrol (CAP) will host an open house Aug. 20 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at Livingston Aviation in the Waterloo airport, 2814 Betsworth Dr. Waterloo.

The community is welcome to attend and learn more about the CAP's Cadet Program in Waterloo; no registration is required to attend.

"This is an important event because it is a chance to impact the lives of teenagers in the Waterloo area," said CAP's Cadet Second Lieutenant Sarah Englehardt. "When I first joined the Civil Air Patrol, I found my drive and reason for what I do. It has changed me and made me a better person, and I cannot wait for it to do the same to many other people."

The CAP's Cadet Program is a year-round program where Cadets learn to fly, learn to lead, as well as hiking, camping and getting in shape as they explore careers in aviation, space or the military.

Cadets and adult members of the 129th Cedar Rapids Composite Squadron will be present to greet visitors and explain how to join. The open house will also have a CAP Cessna Airplane on display.

Civil Air Patrol is an auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force and performs about 90 percent of continental U.S. inland search and rescue missions and is credited with saving an average of 82 lives per year. The program also plays a leading role in science, technology, engineering and manufacturing (STEM)/aerospace education; CAP members mentor 28,000 young people in the Cadet Program.