Drill Sergeants, obstacle courses, extreme attention to detail, and self-discipline.  These are all elements of the Cedar Bridge Military Academy.  Their first night at Cedar Bridge, few cadets would consider the experience fun, but at graduation, they come to understand that it was a worthwhile and necessary lesson in discipline and leadership.  The cadets are challenged to their limits and learn the meaning of hard work and success.

    During their stay, each recruit develops into a smartly disciplined, physically fit, basically trained cadet, thoroughly indoctrinated in the love of Corps and Country. Our instructors demand of every cadet, and demonstrate by their own examples, the highest standards of conduct, morality, and professional skill.

Do our instructors yell? YES! This is not your usual fun and games summer camp. It is stressful, challenging, demanding, and tough. The mission of the Academy is to prepare young men and women to meet the challenges and demands of being a citizen in the United States. The Academy teaches responsibility, self-discipline, leadership skills, citizenship, and strengthens character, while using a strict, disciplined, military training format.

    Cadet trainees wake to reveille at 0600 hours. The first activity every day is PT (physical training), then breakfast, followed by preparation of their living quarters, where they make beds tight enough to rebound a quarter. The cadets attend leadership classes in the morning and practice precision drill and the manual of arms in the afternoon. They learn to fold laundry with laser-guided precision and spit-shine boots to look like mirrors. All the while, the eyes of a stern looking Drill Sergeant watches them, ensuring a commitment to excellence. Beyond this training, cadets have to adapt to a group living environment, while learning to put aside their personal needs to satisfy the needs of the team. We emphasize leadership ideals and teamwork throughout the training program, while building self-confidence and lasting friendships.

    The Troop Handler (cadet drill instructor) provides direct platoon supervision and training. These are former graduates of the Academy who attended the Troop Handler School.  Other cadets perform every job necessary for the camp to run, from administrative and counseling to security and food preparation.

    As the training progresses, the numbers start to decrease. For some, the rigid discipline is more than they can manage, so they retreat for home (only with approval of parent/guardian). For others, the daily grind of physical activities proves too difficult. The ones that stay proudly march up to receive their diplomas at the graduation ceremony, attended by their family and friends. They join the cadets that have already graduated the Basic Cadet Training Course, and take their place as tomorrow's leaders, today.

    To those individuals who graduate the Basic Cadet Training Course, the opportunity to return during following summer and/or session as cadre is extended.  Here, cadets continue to learn leadership skills and develop personally, while at the same time having the chance to mentor the new recruits.