Cadet Aiden McMartin of Campbell River isn’t quite certain that Bonnie Howe has chosen the right sized boots for his two-week training course at Vernon Army Cadet Summer Training Centre. In fact, one of Howe’s favorite pranks is to wait for the smallest cadet to come through the line and then pass him or her a pair of size 18 boots just to see the cadet’s reaction.
Cadet McMartin is a member of 2943 Royal Canadian Army Cadet Corps, Campbell River.
Cadet training
During the two-week Army Cadet General Military Training course cadets are introduced to communal living, participate in an overnight Basic Trades Field Exercise, challenge the mini confidence course, improve their accuracy with the air rifle, take part in a summer biathlon, learn orienteering and receive information on more senior courses that will be available to them in the coming years.
During the summer, more than 1,150 Army, Sea and Air Cadets from western Canada – including Army Cadet Aiden McMartin of Campbell River – spend up to six weeks in the Okanagan Valley training centre, expanding the training they receive at their home corps, developing new skills and forming friendships.
The Cadet Program is a national program for young Canadians ages 12-18 who are interested in participating in a variety of fun, challenging and rewarding activities while learning about the sea, army and air activities of the Canadian Armed Forces.
Cadets make valuable contributions to Canadian society on a daily basis in terms of environmental, citizenship and community activities. Cadets also learn valuable life and work skills such as teamwork, leadership and citizenship.