233159
230128

Vernon  

Cadet camp starts back up

With only one day remaining before 817 army sea and air cadets arrive in Vernon from across western Canada, staff at Vernon Cadet Training Centre are busy preparing for the 67th summer of training in leadership, citizenship and physical fitness.

There are 113 adult staff, including cadet officers and instructors, regular and reserve non-commissioned officers and civilians. More than 50 kitchen staff will feed the cadets and staff three meals a day for the next seven weeks.

The cadets will go through two-, three- or six-week programs tailored to their skills, age and experience.

Commanding Officer Lt.-Col. Judy Peter gathered her adult staff this week, telling them: “Working together as a team, we can provide a safe, challenging and enjoyable experience for the cadets this summer. At the end of the summer, the cadets will walk through these gates as better cadets and better citizens.”

The most noticeable change at the camp this year will be the addition of blue uniforms, as air cadets will form a separate training squadron under the command of Maj. Faye Shore.

The program moved to Vernon after the closure of the cadet training centre at Penhold, Alta. 

Shore is the commanding officer of 243 Ogopogo Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Cadets, in Kelowna.

Although VCTC is organized as an army battalion, its mandate is similar to that of a school, with cadets assigned to one of 12 courses.

The 540 youngest cadets in their first summer session will learn to live together, take part in an overnight field training exercise, fire air rifles, compete in a summer biathlon, and challenge a confidence course. 

The next stage is the three-week basic cadet course, which prepare cadets for junior leadership positions at their home corps. They also receive instruction in areas such as musicianship, fitness and sports, marksmanship, canoeing, hiking and mountain biking.

Older cadets are trained to fill the roles of senior leaders. Six-week instructor courses include drill and ceremonial, air rifle, expedition, intermediate and advanced band.

Fitness is a primary aim, and all cadets take part in team sports and fitness testing.

The cadets also participate in civic projects and will take part in the Okanagan Military Tattoo and march in parades in Penticton and Oliver.

In total, about 1,500 teens will spend the summer in Vernon, making new friends and creating lasting memories.

The program wraps up with a final parade and sunset ceremony on Aug. 12.



More Vernon News