Welcome a new weekly feature: Cadets' Corner. The goal of Cadets' Corner is to help promote and recruit youth to the local Cadets Squadron.
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Air cadets are part of the Canadian Cadet program. This program has a membership of over 53,000 cadets, 26,000 of whom are air cadets. In Ontario alone, there are 8,000 air cadets!
The Air Cadet Program started in 1941 when a group of civilian volunteers set up a country-wide voluntary organization to help stimulate an interest in flying and aviation. Many cadets eventually entered wartime service with the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF). Following the end of the war, the Air Cadet Program remained in place. Its role changed to meet the changing needs of society and its young people.
The aims of the Air Cadet Program are to:
- Develop the attributes of good citizenship and leadership
- Promote physical fitness
- Stimulate the interest of youth in aviation and aeronautics
To be eligible to enrol in the Canadian Cadet Program:
- The prospective cadet must be no younger than 12 years old but no older than 19 years old on the day of enrolment
- Must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident
- Have valid health insurance in Canada (public health insurance such as OHIP or private health insurance are accepted)
The Air Cadet Program is funded by the Department of National Defence, and the basic program is offered at no charge.
In order to fund activities such as supplying powered aircraft, gliders, flying training courses and many other activities, the Squadron asks for an annual Squadron Sponsoring Committee fee of $125 per cadet upon enrolment at the start of each year.
Families have not been charged the assessment fee for two years due to the change from in-person training to virtual training and the lack of extracurricular activities due to the current provincial health situation.
There are very few costs to join and participate in the Air Cadet Program. In order to keep the costs as low as possible, there is an expectation of participation in fundraising activities. Payment can be made by cash or cheque. Families that may experience difficulties in payment or financial hardship should speak to a member of the Sponsoring Committee. No Cadet will be turned away from the program due to financial reasons. Cadet uniforms and nearly all cadet activities are provided at no additional cost to the cadets, including two, three, six and seven-week summer training courses (in fact, cadets are paid a $60/week training bonus while at summer training!).
Join us on Sept. 15, 2022, at 7 p.m. for registration and 7:30 p.m. for the recruitment presentation and Q&A session in the gymnasium at Fieldcrest Elementary School (100 Professor Day Dr, Bradford, ON L3Z 3B9). Recruit applications will be accepted both online and in person on that day.