The California Cadet Corps is a leadership development program that uses a military organization and structure for junior and senior high school students in California. In addition to learning leadership theory in the classroom, cadets have an opportunity to exercise their leadership, develop discipline, and other interpersonal skills while they participate in numerous extracurricular activities.
The success of this program in the Sacramento Metropolitan area between 1950 and 1985 was based upon the following philosophy:
Student learning can be enhanced and extended by applying the principles learned in the classroom to a field environment.
Students need realistic opportunities to apply the leadership theory and training presented in a classroom in order to develop leadership skills and become truly effective leaders. Leadership is best developed through practice.
Challenging outdoor, wilderness type, activities offer a superior medium for giving junior and senior high school students an opportunity to practice and develop their leadership skills.
When given the opportunity and held responsible, high school students can provide effective instruction and training to others both in the classroom and in the field.
Experienced cadets can do a credible job in both the planning and execution of classroom and associated extracurricular activities.
Teachers in the California Cadet Corps program function as mentors that provide guidance and direction to student leaders as they plan and execute activities. They take control only from students when it is necessary to resolve safety or liability issues.
Leadership, teamwork, and self discipline can be developed by using wilderness survival, mountaineering, competitive rifle marksmanship, and other challenging self-confidence building activities.
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