TORONTO, Ont. – The Canadian Cadet Organizations, commonly referred to as Cadets Canada, have moved into Ontario Place this week with a display of typical cadet activities and information. The display occupies a portion of Heritage Square, next to Splash Works, and is open to the public through Labour Day.

 

Cadets Canada comprises the Royal Canadian Sea Cadets, Army Cadets and Air Cadets, with more than 15,000 members in Ontario and 50,000 nationwide. The program attracts youth aged 12-18 with a wide variety of challenging activities geared to the development of responsible citizenship, effective leadership and healthy lifestyles.

 

The Royal Canadian Sea Cadets portion of the display features an Echo sailboat, courtesy of the Navy League of Canada, typical of that used in the training of safe watercraft handling. There is also a “gyn” lifting device and a line-heave activity that visitors can experience.

 

The Royal Canadian army Cadets have established a typical “bivouac” campsite, including modular tentage and common sleeping, cooking and fire safety equipment. 709 Communications Squadron has kindly furnished an army vehicle to view and younger visitors will delight to trying on typical field “kit” including a common “bone dome” helmet.

 

The Royal Canadian Air Cadets display features a computer-based flight simulator and an actual Schweizer glider used in the air cadets’ flight familiarization program, courtesy of the Regional Gliding School (Central).

 

Officers and cadets from Toronto-area corps and squadrons are on hand to describe the activities and to answer any questions visitors have about the program.

 

Cadets Canada is the nation’s largest federally-funded youth program, operating in partnership among the Canadian Forces and the civilian Navy League, Army Cadet League and Air Cadet League of Canada. There are no fees to join and uniforms are provided on-loan without cost.

 

Among the program’s many distinguished alumni is Canadian Space Agency astronaut Chris Hadfield, a former member of 820 Squadron, Milton. “Air Cadets taught me how to fly,” says Hadfield. “I had no idea how high I could go.”

 

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Contact: Captain Rick Leswick, 416-677-1440