Miami Springs Optimist Cadet Squadron is a local Civil Air Patrol squadron based in Miami Springs, Florida. We are a volunteer organization that focuses on three missions: Emergency Services, Aerospace Education, and Cadet Programs. Through these missions, we support our community and instill values in our youth.

Membership for cadets is from ages 12-21 (must be under 18 to join as a cadet, but may remain a cadet until 21), and senior members ages 18+. Come check us out at the Miami Springs Optimist Club (1101 Wren Avenue, Miami, FL 33166) every Saturday from 9AM-12PM, and see how you can make a difference.

Civil Air Patrol, the official auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force, is a nonprofit organization with more than 61,000 members nationwide, operating a fleet of 550 aircraft. CAP, in its Air Force auxiliary role, performs 90 percent of continental U.S. inland search and rescue missions as tasked by the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center and was credited by the AFRCC with saving 54 lives in fiscal year 2011. Its volunteers also perform homeland security, disaster relief and drug interdiction missions at the request of federal, state and local agencies. The members play a leading role in aerospace education and serve as mentors to nearly 27,000 young people currently participating in the CAP cadet program. CAP received the World Peace Prize in 2011 and has been performing missions for America for 70 years. CAP also participates in Wreaths Across America, an initiative to remember, honor and teach about the sacrifices of U.S. military veterans. Visit www.gocivilairpatrol.com or www.capvolunteernow.com for more information.