What is the Cadet Program about?
Offering positive youth development programs, sea, land (army) and air cadet corps and squadrons are in communities across Canada.
Sea Cadets develop seamanship skills, including navigation and how to sail. Army Cadets build outdoor and leadership skills through participation in expedition activities such as hiking, climbing, kayaking, orienteering. Air Cadets gain aviation related skills through activities that include flying, gliding, and studies in aerospace. RCSCC 1 Nelson is a Sea Cadet Corps.
The Cadet Program strives to offer Cadets a safe, welcoming, and supportive program environment where all feel respected, valued, included and able to achieve their full potential.
The core values and goals of the Cadet Program:
Cadets are supervised, administered, and trained by Cadet Instructor Cadre officers and non-commissioned members of a sub-component of the Reserve Force of the Canadian Armed Forces who, by the terms of their enrolment or transfer, have undertaken as their primary duty the safety, supervision, administration, and training of Cadets.
Youth age 12-18 who join the Cadet Program are not considered members of the Canadian Armed Forces, and are not required or expected to make any commitment to join the Canadian Armed Forces after their cadet membership ends. However, for youth who may have interest in someday pursuing a military/naval career, or in joining a civil service such as the Canadian Coast Guard, the Sea Cadet Program can provide valuable insight into the lifestyle and skillset required by these careers, as well as provide youth with personal development and qualifications which would be advantageous to those entering nautical career fields. All cadets gain valuable personal and professional growth which will be an asset to them in whatever life path they pursue.
Sea Cadets develop seamanship skills, including navigation and how to sail. Army Cadets build outdoor and leadership skills through participation in expedition activities such as hiking, climbing, kayaking, orienteering. Air Cadets gain aviation related skills through activities that include flying, gliding, and studies in aerospace. RCSCC 1 Nelson is a Sea Cadet Corps.
The Cadet Program strives to offer Cadets a safe, welcoming, and supportive program environment where all feel respected, valued, included and able to achieve their full potential.
The core values and goals of the Cadet Program:
- Invite all Canadian youth – The Cadet Programs are open to youth aged 12 to 18 that are Canadian citizens or are authorized to reside in Canada. Programs are inclusive and celebrate the rich diversity within Canadian society.
- Instill Canadian Military Values – Cadet Program training, direction, decision making, and behaviour are guided by ethics and values of the Canadian military. Values include loyalty, integrity, courage, inclusion, excellence and accountability. Cadets embrace and embody these values.
- Develop Citizenship, Leadership, and Fitness – The Cadet Program offers cadets opportunities to develop skills and knowledge that: enable them to positively contribute as leaders in Canadian society, instill a lifelong appreciation of health and fitness, and support successful transitions to adulthood.
- Balance Safety and Challenge – The Cadet Program offers activities and events that are challenging and safe. Cadets and their parents/guardians can be confident that the adults leading the program are focused on the development of youth and invested in their health and welfare.
- Leave a positive lifelong impact – Whether cadets stay with the program for many years or for just a few weeks, it is hoped that their experiences were impactful, educational and are regarded (or remembered) as positive.
Cadets are supervised, administered, and trained by Cadet Instructor Cadre officers and non-commissioned members of a sub-component of the Reserve Force of the Canadian Armed Forces who, by the terms of their enrolment or transfer, have undertaken as their primary duty the safety, supervision, administration, and training of Cadets.
Youth age 12-18 who join the Cadet Program are not considered members of the Canadian Armed Forces, and are not required or expected to make any commitment to join the Canadian Armed Forces after their cadet membership ends. However, for youth who may have interest in someday pursuing a military/naval career, or in joining a civil service such as the Canadian Coast Guard, the Sea Cadet Program can provide valuable insight into the lifestyle and skillset required by these careers, as well as provide youth with personal development and qualifications which would be advantageous to those entering nautical career fields. All cadets gain valuable personal and professional growth which will be an asset to them in whatever life path they pursue.
What opportunities are available to Sea, Army and Air Cadets?
Cadets have the opportunities to participate in Common Training activities that are open to all three elements, these are just some of the experiences you can't get anywhere else!
Cadets have the opportunities to participate in Common Training activities that are open to all three elements, these are just some of the experiences you can't get anywhere else!
- Biathlon - Biathlon combines cross country skiing (winter biathlon) or running (summer biathlon) and precision marksmanship. The races are organized by laps of skiing separated by a round of shooting. Typically, each missed target during a participant’s shooting round results in a penalty loop of a specific number of meters. The resulting combination of high intensity aerobic activity with the discipline and concentration of Olympic-styled marksmanship challenges the participants to effectively balance athletics with focus.
- Marksmanship - The Cadet Marksmanship Program is a challenging and competitive sports program accessible to all cadets. It develops skills through superior training and Olympic-style competition. This fun and rewarding program is enjoyed by thousands of cadets every year. Cadets have the opportunity to participate in a series of competitions at the local level that culminate in provincial/territorial competitions and an annual National Cadet Marksmanship Championship.
- Music - The Canadian Cadet Organizations offers a progressive music training program that is complementary to the core cadet training program. Cadet Corps and Squadrons that offer music training root it in the historical tradition of marching military or pipe and drum bands. Regardless of local programming, cadets with an interest in music can apply for summer training opportunities ranging from three to six weeks in length. Music training challenges cadets, and enhances their concept of community service, teamwork, leadership, and helps to provide a better understanding of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF).
- Leadership, Citizenship & Fitness - Each Cadet Program equally participates in teamwork and leadership training, Canadian military history, citizenship activities, drill and physical fitness. The main differences between the 3 programs (Sea, Army or Air Cadets) are the uniform and the type of specialized training you will receive.
What activities do Sea Cadets have the exclusive opportunity to take part in?
The Royal Canadian Sea Cadet Program teaches knowledge and skills about seamanship, sailing, and traditions of the Royal Canadian Navy. Cadets may have the opportunity to participate in a variety of nautical and naval activities, in addition to the shared training in drill, leadership, and teamwork that all three cadet elements offer. Some of the opportunities specific to the Sea Cadet program include:
The Royal Canadian Sea Cadet Program teaches knowledge and skills about seamanship, sailing, and traditions of the Royal Canadian Navy. Cadets may have the opportunity to participate in a variety of nautical and naval activities, in addition to the shared training in drill, leadership, and teamwork that all three cadet elements offer. Some of the opportunities specific to the Sea Cadet program include:
- Sailing - Every cadet corps aims to include sailing in their training at least once a year. Sailing is a fun activity whether you are in smaller two-person boats or larger twelve-person whalers that we see in the summer at Cadet Training Centres.
- Pleasure Craft (Small Boat) Operation - Depending on the summer courses taken, Sea Cadets have an opportunity to receive a Pleasure Craft Operators Certificate, as well as a Radio License. The process of doing so is over a six-week course of fun on the water training. This certificate and license are permanent qualifications that can be used in the civilian world.
- Seamanship - In most naval jobs, a knowledge of knots and hitches are a requirement. From setting sails to tying a huge ship to a dock, knots are a useful skill throughout life as well as in our yearly Seamanship inter-divisional competitions. One of the needed skills for being on the water anywhere in the ocean would be an ability to tell where you are. Seamanship also covers cartography (marine navigation) and compass skills.
- Experiences In Nautical Environments - Sea Cadets have opportunities to be deployed for advanced training on Canadian naval vessels and learn about many of the duties on board. From tall ship sailing vessels to coast guard ships or Canadian navy ships, many Sea Cadets have been sent for training on vessels and came back with many stories to tell and experiences to share.
Are there any payments or fees associated with Cadet Program membership?
The cadet program is intended to be provided free of charge to all youth ages 12-18 who are legal residents of Canada. We will never ask you to pay a membership fee. Necessary meals, equipment, overnight lodging, admission to facilities or venues, and program-organized travel (such as busses) will always be provided at no cost to the cadet.
The cadet program is intended to be provided free of charge to all youth ages 12-18 who are legal residents of Canada. We will never ask you to pay a membership fee. Necessary meals, equipment, overnight lodging, admission to facilities or venues, and program-organized travel (such as busses) will always be provided at no cost to the cadet.
- There will sometimes be opportunities for cadets to make optional purchases that support the program, such as fundraising sales, personalized clothing (ex: hoodies), or optional snacks sold during some activities. Cadets are not obligated to purchase these items, and choosing not to purchase them will not impact a cadet’s ability to advance through the program or participate.
- There may occasionally be recommendations for cadets to go out and get an item which will help them in participating, such as for example buying a boot polish kit to shine their uniform boots, or getting a pair of water shoes to wear on a sail weekend. If a cadet’s family will be unable to purchase such items, you are encouraged to privately contact our staff by email at 1se[email protected]. We can often make arrangements for select small items to be provided free of charge in a discreet manner.
- Participation in fundraising activities such as seasonal chocolate sales is encouraged, but not mandatory. There are ways for cadets to support fundraising activities without spending any money, by having family members involved in our Navy League Fundraising Committee. Parents/guardians who already have a child in the cadet program with Nelson and are interested in Navy League involvement, we encourage you to please email us to learn more!
- The Cadets and Junior Canadian Rangers make every reasonable effort to remove financial barriers to cadet participation that are within our control.
