Thanks. He is a freshman and should (hopefully before the fumes kick in) get his Eagle before end of 2011. He loves flying. Ever since he got a ride in an AT-6 he talks about it all the time. He spoke briefly with the CAP at the Dobbins Air Show last year but put it on the back burner due to schedule. We are fortunate to have a friend who is a flying instructor so he gets some hours in. He starting to think ahead about what he wants to do. I think that is because he sees his older sister doing the college search thing. So we've started talking about options (mostly flying).
I am in CAP and am Girl Scout about to get the Gold Award (sending in final paperwork).
This is what I suggest if he is really motivated and likes to move up quickly in an organization: finish Eagle, and start CAP right afterwards. You can promote every two months (move up in grade/rank) in CAP, so if he is really motivated he'll do that.
If he likes to get the hang of things first, and then move: I say join CAP, and spend a bit of time getting used to it while he finishes up his Eagle, then go full swing into CAP.
Personally, I found it difficult to be working constantly on my Gold Award project, while promoting every two months in CAP, on top of a pretty heavy coarse load/working full time over the summer.
In the end, it is definitely worth it to join CAP. There are free flights that he'll get (5 powered and 5 glider), and summer camp type flying things he could do, as well as aerospace lessons. Besides the flying side of it, CAP offers leadership and emergency services training. Emergency services includes a lot of woodsy stuff.
CAP is looked at well by the academies, but just as other extra-curriculars. It gives you a small idea of the military, but mainly just the drill and uniforms. Since he loves flying, my guess is he will like CAP. I should warn you, CAP cadets tend to make fun of scouts, but it hasn't stopped me from enjoying both.
Hope that helps!