Application / Enrollment Process
Can I apply online?
No.
All applications must be mailed or dropped off at the Pennsylvania State Police, Troop A, Indiana Station, 35 Fenton Road, Indiana, PA 15701. The application may be downloaded online, then completed and submitted as stated above.
How do I enroll my child for the next Camp Cadet program?
Each prospective cadet must apply by submitting an application prior to the application deadline. The Camp Cadet directors will review the applications and interview each prospective cadet starting in the Spring. An interview with each applicant is a required part of the application process.
How/when are applicants notified regarding their acceptance/denial into the program?
After all cadet applications have been reviewed and interviews conducted, applicants will be notified by mail whether they have been accepted or denied entry into the program.
What are the eligibility requirements for applying to Camp Cadet?
No.
All applications must be mailed or dropped off at the Pennsylvania State Police, Troop A, Indiana Station, 35 Fenton Road, Indiana, PA 15701. The application may be downloaded online, then completed and submitted as stated above.
How do I enroll my child for the next Camp Cadet program?
Each prospective cadet must apply by submitting an application prior to the application deadline. The Camp Cadet directors will review the applications and interview each prospective cadet starting in the Spring. An interview with each applicant is a required part of the application process.
How/when are applicants notified regarding their acceptance/denial into the program?
After all cadet applications have been reviewed and interviews conducted, applicants will be notified by mail whether they have been accepted or denied entry into the program.
What are the eligibility requirements for applying to Camp Cadet?
- Must be between the ages of 13 and 15 years old (must not be older than 15 during the week of camp).
- Must be capable and willing to comply with ALL instructions issued by camp instructors.
- Must be physically prepared. Cadets will engage in a rigorous physical training regimen during the camp week and must be capable of performing with their best effort at all times. Cadets will be trained how to perform each exercise and will be expected to perform the number of repetitions instructed as trained. Physical training encompasses running, climbing obstacles, marching, and numerous calisthenics/strength-training curriculums.
- The requirement for a military-style haircut has been eliminated; however, applicants must still have a neat, appropriate haircut.
- Must not have attended Camp Cadet in the past, unless requested to return as a Senior Cadet.
- Parents/guardians must be available to promptly drop off and pick up children at the designated locations during the specified time frame.
- Parents/guardians must also be available to be contacted and able to provide transportation at ALL times during the week of camp in the event that a child needs to be sent home.
- Must be a resident of or attend school in Indiana County, Pennsylvania.
Choosing Camp Cadet
How many kids are typically selected to attend Camp Cadet?
We are limited to about 40 cadets each year
Camp Cadet is a program for kids who may have an interest in law enforcement or military careers. However, my child doesn't know at this point if they have an interest in these career fields. Would Camp Cadet still be an appropriate choice for my child?
Ultimately, this should be a joint decision made by the parent(s)/guardian(s) and the child. By no means do we fully expect participants to have a finalized career path chosen at this point in their young lives. This camp is simply a unique and challenging program that will introduce participants to the fields of law enforcement, military, and emergency services.
If I am selected to attend Camp Cadet, what should I bring?
You are only permitted to bring the items listed on the respective male and female Cadet Packing Checklists, which are available for download on this website.
My child can be somewhat defiant and has some disciplinary problems. Would Camp Cadet be a good program to help correct his/her behavior?
Absolutely not! Our Camp is not designed to correct behaviors of young adults. Our program is designed to take disciplined, well-behaved, motivated young adults and help them to accomplish things they didn't think they were capable of accomplishing.
Where is Camp Cadet held?
Camp Cadet is now held at Little Mahoning Bible Camp, 1051 Alabran Road, Smicksburg, PA 16256, in North Mahoning Township, Indiana County. Directions to Little Mahoning Bible Camp can be found on this website under the "Location" link of our main "Camp Cadet" tab.
Who monitors/supervises the kids during Camp?
Camp Cadet is staffed 24 hours a day by current members enlisted in the Pennsylvania State Police who serve as Instructors. Cadets sleep in separate male and female-designated cabins with bunk beds, with Instructors keeping watch.
We are limited to about 40 cadets each year
Camp Cadet is a program for kids who may have an interest in law enforcement or military careers. However, my child doesn't know at this point if they have an interest in these career fields. Would Camp Cadet still be an appropriate choice for my child?
Ultimately, this should be a joint decision made by the parent(s)/guardian(s) and the child. By no means do we fully expect participants to have a finalized career path chosen at this point in their young lives. This camp is simply a unique and challenging program that will introduce participants to the fields of law enforcement, military, and emergency services.
If I am selected to attend Camp Cadet, what should I bring?
You are only permitted to bring the items listed on the respective male and female Cadet Packing Checklists, which are available for download on this website.
My child can be somewhat defiant and has some disciplinary problems. Would Camp Cadet be a good program to help correct his/her behavior?
Absolutely not! Our Camp is not designed to correct behaviors of young adults. Our program is designed to take disciplined, well-behaved, motivated young adults and help them to accomplish things they didn't think they were capable of accomplishing.
Where is Camp Cadet held?
Camp Cadet is now held at Little Mahoning Bible Camp, 1051 Alabran Road, Smicksburg, PA 16256, in North Mahoning Township, Indiana County. Directions to Little Mahoning Bible Camp can be found on this website under the "Location" link of our main "Camp Cadet" tab.
Who monitors/supervises the kids during Camp?
Camp Cadet is staffed 24 hours a day by current members enlisted in the Pennsylvania State Police who serve as Instructors. Cadets sleep in separate male and female-designated cabins with bunk beds, with Instructors keeping watch.
Cost and Financial Information
What is the cost to send my child to Camp Cadet?
The cost to you and your child is absolutely nothing. There is no fee to attend Indiana County Camp Cadet. Camp Cadet is funded through fund-raising efforts and donations from community businesses, organizations, and individuals. Donations are always welcome from anyone who may be willing to contribute.
The cost to you and your child is absolutely nothing. There is no fee to attend Indiana County Camp Cadet. Camp Cadet is funded through fund-raising efforts and donations from community businesses, organizations, and individuals. Donations are always welcome from anyone who may be willing to contribute.
Graduation
How many people can I bring to the graduation ceremony?
The Camp Cadet Graduation Ceremony is open to cadets' family members and friends and members of the public. Cadets and their parent(s)/guardian(s) may invite as many people as they like. The ceremony is scheduled to take place in the Little Mahoning Bible Camp multi-purpose room. Upon request, guests with limited mobility will be provided transportation from the public parking area(s) to the ceremony location.
What happens at the graduation ceremony and how long is it?
The graduation ceremony begins with an outdoor marching demonstration by the cadets near the basketball court. This typically lasts approximately 10-15 minutes. Following this demonstration, the ceremony moves to the nearby multi-purpose room. At the ceremony, speakers will address the cadets, family members, and guests. The ceremony is approximately 45 minutes in length. Immediately following the ceremony, cadets are encouraged to show their families, friends, and guests their cabins and collect their belongings before returning home.
The Camp Cadet Graduation Ceremony is open to cadets' family members and friends and members of the public. Cadets and their parent(s)/guardian(s) may invite as many people as they like. The ceremony is scheduled to take place in the Little Mahoning Bible Camp multi-purpose room. Upon request, guests with limited mobility will be provided transportation from the public parking area(s) to the ceremony location.
What happens at the graduation ceremony and how long is it?
The graduation ceremony begins with an outdoor marching demonstration by the cadets near the basketball court. This typically lasts approximately 10-15 minutes. Following this demonstration, the ceremony moves to the nearby multi-purpose room. At the ceremony, speakers will address the cadets, family members, and guests. The ceremony is approximately 45 minutes in length. Immediately following the ceremony, cadets are encouraged to show their families, friends, and guests their cabins and collect their belongings before returning home.
Medical Concerns
My child has food allergies. Will there be alternate food options available?
Meals are served in the Little Mahoning Bible Camp Dining Hall and are prepared by a vendor contracted by Indiana County Camp Cadet, Inc. Proper nutrition is an important element through our training regimen and we strive to ensure a minimal alternative should a cadet not enjoy or be permitted to eat what is on the daily menu.
Cadets are responsible for knowing what they are allergic to and for choosing appropriate food items based on their needs.
My child has medication requirements or other special needs. Can they still participate and is there a process in place to ensure that he/she receives the required medication?
Yes. When children arrive with their parents on Sunday, they will review any medication requirements with the on-site nurse/paramedic/EMT, who will collect the medication from each cadet. Medication will remain in the custody of our on-site nurse/paramedic/EMT and will be distributed AT LEAST 3 TIMES each day following the breakfast, lunch, and dinner meals. We also have a final “Med Call” that we administer prior to the cadets going to sleep for the evening. Cadets are responsible for knowing when they must take their respective medication.
Some types of “on-demand” medications (such as asthma inhalers) may be kept with the child at all times as used as needed. Topical creams/sprays (such as sunblock/bug spray) also fall into this category.
Meals are served in the Little Mahoning Bible Camp Dining Hall and are prepared by a vendor contracted by Indiana County Camp Cadet, Inc. Proper nutrition is an important element through our training regimen and we strive to ensure a minimal alternative should a cadet not enjoy or be permitted to eat what is on the daily menu.
Cadets are responsible for knowing what they are allergic to and for choosing appropriate food items based on their needs.
My child has medication requirements or other special needs. Can they still participate and is there a process in place to ensure that he/she receives the required medication?
Yes. When children arrive with their parents on Sunday, they will review any medication requirements with the on-site nurse/paramedic/EMT, who will collect the medication from each cadet. Medication will remain in the custody of our on-site nurse/paramedic/EMT and will be distributed AT LEAST 3 TIMES each day following the breakfast, lunch, and dinner meals. We also have a final “Med Call” that we administer prior to the cadets going to sleep for the evening. Cadets are responsible for knowing when they must take their respective medication.
Some types of “on-demand” medications (such as asthma inhalers) may be kept with the child at all times as used as needed. Topical creams/sprays (such as sunblock/bug spray) also fall into this category.
Miscellaneous
How do I get in touch of Camp Instructors during the week of camp, should a family emergency arise?
If you need to reach us during the week, place a phone call to the Pennsylvania State Police Troop A, Indiana Station at 724-357-1960. Provide the dispatcher or trooper with your name, a phone number where you can be reached, and the reason for your call. They will then contact the Indiana County Camp Cadet director(s), who will then contact you.
May I visit or communicate with my child during camp?
No. Except as required, cadets are not allowed to communicate with anyone outside of Camp Cadet during the week of camp.
If you need to reach us during the week, place a phone call to the Pennsylvania State Police Troop A, Indiana Station at 724-357-1960. Provide the dispatcher or trooper with your name, a phone number where you can be reached, and the reason for your call. They will then contact the Indiana County Camp Cadet director(s), who will then contact you.
May I visit or communicate with my child during camp?
No. Except as required, cadets are not allowed to communicate with anyone outside of Camp Cadet during the week of camp.
