Ground Team Academy
2025 Ground Team Academy
Dates: August 13th -17th 2025
Location: Camp Phillippo, 30600 32nd Avenue Way, Cannon Falls, MN, 55009
Student Registration: MNWG Activity System
Student Fee: $175
Staff Registration: MNWG Activity System
Staff Fee: $75
The Ground Team Academy (GTA) is open to all members with at least a General Emergency Services Qualification who have completed FEMA's IS 100 and IS 700. Those wishing to learn Base Staff positions or refine their Ground Team Leader skills should apply for staff. Registration may be found in the MNWG Intranet Activity Registration System.
The school's goal is for each person to complete one Emergency Services training level by the weekend's end. This year, the structure of the activity has changed. We will offer a Ground Search and Rescue School for those who want to advance their Ground Team ratings and an Incident Command Staff School for staff members who will serve as both staff and learn the roles of Base Staff. Students should plan and expect to spend one night sleeping outdoors in a tent or shelter. Register for an opportunity to learn from CAP Missions and Search and Rescue experts. This is Minnesota Wing's premier school for Search and Rescue.
Packing List: Ground Team Academy Packing List
Basic Search School
Objective:
Training that is open to all levels of experience. Entry-level ground team personnel will be taught the basics of executing the missions on which CAP is called. Advanced or returning ground team personnel will have the chance to refine their skills and become proficient in navigation and wilderness survival. 
Prerequisites:
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General Emergency Services Qualified
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FEMA IS 100 and 700 complete.
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ICUT is Preferred.
Training:
Basic Communications User Training, First Aid, Ground Team Equipment, Hot/Cold Weather Injuries, Fatigue, Compass Use, Phone Alerts, ELT Search, Basic Map Reading, Natural Hazards, Shelter Building, Survival Skills, Land Navigation, Canine Operations, Communications, and Working with sUAS Teams.
Outcomes:
Complete tasks and two sorties toward your next ES qualification. Plus SQTR Tasks in GT 3, 2, and 1.
Incident Command Staff
Objective:
Members wishing to refine their mission base skills can apply to be staff. Members looking to refine their skills as Ground Team Leaders should also apply to be staff. However, you must be a fully qualified Ground Team Leader. We are in need of all base staff positions.
Prerequisites:
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For those applying as GTLs, you must be fully qualified as a GTL on your 101 card. Exceptions can be made on a case-by-case basis.
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Fully qualified for the position you would like to staff. If you are a trainee and looking to complete your qualification, please reach out to GTA staff to be considered for staff on a case-by-case basis.
Training:
Advanced communications training, qualification-specific training in a realistic mission base setting in a base staff position.
