Cadets’ Canadian adventure

22.08.2016

Three groups of 13 UK ACF/CCF Cadets and their adult leaders have returned home buoyed by the experience of a lifetime in Canada.

Each year Cadets Branch HQ Army Regional Command in conjunction with the Royal Canadian Army Cadet (RCAC) organisation manage an international Cadet exchange.

The UK Cadets, including several from Highland-area, were fully integrated with hundreds of Cadets from all over Canada enjoying a challenging annual camp programme from 9 July to 21 August 2016. Canadian Cadets also visited the UK.

The Cadets travelled to Toronto, Vancouver and Calgary and on to one of three locations at Rocky Mountain (Alberta), Argonaut (New Brunswick) and Whitehorse (Yukon Territory). On offer were Cadet Expedition Instructor, and Leadership and Mountain courses.

Training and experience was provided in a variety of subjects from watermanship, wilderness first aid, hiking, bike maintenance and riding skills, abseiling, rock climbing, marksmanship and canoeing. The courses also included an element of drill, citizenship and community activities and physical fitness. At Whitehorse and Argonaut the course included a 30-hour solo exercise as well as an 18-day team expedition.

UK Cadets were chosen by application and selection assessment. The Cadets were challenged and stretched throughout the programme and gained new skills and confidence.

All represented the UK Cadet movement well and several were individually commended by their Canadian hosts. All graduated successfully. Lieutenant-General P.F Wynnyk, Commander of the Canadian Army, took the salute at the 2016 Whitehorse Cadet Graduation Class.

The HRFCA-area Cadets taking part included L/Cpl McKay and Cpl Johns (Dollar Academy CCF); Cpl Clarke (1 Highlanders ACF); and L/Cpl Logan (Morrison’s Academy CCF).

ACF Training Advisor, Colonel Clinton Riley said “It’s great for the young people to have had this life-changing adventure.”