Local cadets train in skills camp in Guelph
Dozens of local cadets are putting their skills to the test in Guelph this week.
The Guelph Cadet Activity Program is preparing the group of young people to spend a few nights out in the wilderness, while teaching them some valuable life lessons.
The 12 and 13-year-old cadets, along with the staff cadets in their upper teens, will take part in an overnight outdoor adventure.
“[It’s] a camp for four days, three overnights and they’ll be experiencing canoeing, swimming, orienteering,” said Capt. Scott Gibbons with the Cadet Activity Program.
From working on their fitness, to team navigation skills through geocaching, all of it will be on display at the Guelph Navy League building as part of a two-week summer training program.
Gibbons said he thinks the biggest takeaway that the cadets get from this program is the relationships established over the years.
While the physical skills are a focal point, the life skills acquired through these programs are a secondary benefit.
“It doesn’t teach you just Canadian Armed Forces skills, it teaches you life skills too,” said Christopher Price, Cadet & Flight Corporal.
For others, it can be a time to grow and discover who they are.
“For me, it built a sense of who I was,” said Halei Tester, a staff cadet. “I really found myself within the cadet program and was able to build from that. I learned skills I probably would’ve never learned. I’m getting opportunities I wouldn’t have gotten. “
The Canadian Armed Forces doesn’t have to be the end goal once the cadets graduate from the program.
“Some of our cadets do go into the Canadian Armed Forces, however other cadets may choose to go to civilian applications and that’s fantastic,” said Capt. Gibbons.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Canadian gov't proposes new foreign influence registry as part of wide-spanning new bill
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government is proposing a suite of new measures and law changes aimed at countering foreign interference in Canada, amid extensive scrutiny over past meddling attempts and an ever-evolving threat landscape.
Boeing Starliner capsule's first crewed test flight postponed
The long-awaited first crewed test flight of Boeing's new Starliner space capsule was called off for at least 24 hours over a technical issue that launch teams were unable to resolve in time for the planned Monday night lift-off.
Teacher charged in historical sexual assault of Calgary teenage girl
Calgary police have charged a teacher with the alleged sexual assault of a teenage girl more than 20 years ago.
Winnipeg man admits to killing four women, argues he's not criminally responsible
Defence lawyers of Jeremy Skibicki have admitted in court the accused killed four Indigenous women, but argues he is not criminally responsible for the deaths by way of mental disorder – this latest development has triggered a judge-alone trial rather than a jury trial.
Man banned from owning animals after fatal Calgary dog attack
The owner of three Calgary dogs that got loose and mauled a woman to death in 2022 has been ordered to pay a $15,000 fine within one year and banned from owning any animal for 15 years.
East-end Ottawa family dealing with massive rat infestation
Residents in Ottawa’s Elmridge Gardens complex are dealing with a rat infestation that just won’t go away. Now, after doing everything they can to try to fix the issue, they are pleading with the city to step in and help.
Mediterranean staple may lower your risk of death from dementia, study finds
A daily spoonful of olive oil could lower your risk of dying from dementia, according to a new study by Harvard scientists.
An El Nino-less summer is coming. Here's what that could mean for Canada
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.
Newfoundland and Labrador latest province to tighten rules on Airbnbs
Newfoundland and Labrador is the latest jurisdiction to bring in stricter rules for short-term rentals, with a coming set of regulations that will force operators to register with the provincial government.