Cadets form a national organization whose purpose is to develop in youth the attributes of leadership, engaged and active citizenship and physical fitness, all within a safe and structured environment.

Cadets offer you challenges, friendship and adventure! It’s an opportunity to expand your own horizons, contribute to your community and make friends for life. Many former Cadets credit their participation in the program with giving them a head-start toward their successful careers.

Cadets are teenagers like you who take part in activities at a Cadet Corps within their local community. These activities are designed to help you to become more self-confident, to develop your leadership skills, to improve your physical fitness and communication skills and to teach you self-discipline through challenging training.

Cadets usually meet once a week for regular training and once a week for optional training, and some weekends throughout the school year.

Education is very important to Cadets. Cadet training is a hands-on, activity-based program that should complement your school studies. In fact, some provincial and territorial education boards accept Cadet subjects for school credits in Grades 10, 11 and 12. As well, there are several scholarships available through Cadets.

You can join as soon as you’ve reached your 12th birthday and you can remain enrolled until you turn 19.

All you need to join is an interest in the program and your parent’s/guardian’s permission. You also have to be willing to attend regular meetings and participate in Corps functions.

Proof of age:

A valid Canadian Passport;
A Birth certificate issued by a Canadian provincial, territorial or federal government agency;
Any card, visa or permit (work, Study, resident, etc.) (with photo) issued by the Canadian Government legally authorizes the person to reside in Canada for an extended period of time; or
Any identification card (with or without photo) issued by a Canadian provincial territorial or federal government agency.

No Certificates of Live Birth Please.

Proof of health insurance:

Provincial or territorial health insurance card or private insurance (i.e. Blue Cross) card.

There is no enrolment fee to join the cadet program. However, cadets may be asked to take part in fundraising activities that support the Corps and optional programming in which his/her corps participates.

No. The Canadian Forces loan complete uniforms to Cadets. Cadets are expected to take good care of their uniform. Cadets are required to return some parts of the uniform if they decide to leave.

We don't facilitate or allow any pickup or drop-offs by Officers. Until you turn 16 you should have a parent drop and pick you up for safety reasons. We finish late (9:00pm) and we require parent pick-up at the end of an evening.

The two major partners in the Army Cadet program are the Department of National Defence and the Army Cadet League of Canada (a civilian non-profit corporation). These two organizations work together to provide the facilities and material required to operate each Army Cadet Corps. At the Corps level the Parent Sponsoring Commitee is responsible for fundraising activities.

A regular training evening is as follows;

Opening Parade.

Training Period 1.

Training Period 2.

Canteen.

Training Period 3.

Closing Parade.

Our First Tuesday of the month, we have CO's Parade and Inspection in place of Training Period 1.

Our last Tuesday of the month, is usually a Sport Night.

Some of the optional activities you can expect at your Cadet Corps include ceremonial drill, first aid, biathlon, sports and citizenship events that support your community, music, marksmanship and field-craft.

Occasional weekend activities can include biathlon, camping, hiking, canoeing, snow-shoeng, abseiling, orienteering, map & compass, fieldcraft and marksmanship. There will also be plenty of time to have fun and make new friends!

For those interested, Cadets have summer camps located across Canada. Cadets can go to camp for two to eight weeks on a variety of courses. Each camp offers a unique mixture of outdoor activities and valuable instruction. Attendance at Cadet Summer Camps is free. The Canadian Forces provide all transportation, meals, lodging and special equipment. Every Cadet attending summer camp receives a training allowance; Cadets in staff positions at camp receive a salary.

Courses offered at Army Cadet summer camps include training in leadership, instructional techniques, music, marksmanship, summer biathlon, music, map & compass, camping and adventure activities, ceremonial drill, physical education, computer skills and citizenship. Advanced courses include training in leadership, rock climbing, kayaking, Voyageur Canoe trips, trekking, marksmanship, music large bore marksmanship and the military Basic Parachutist Course.

Definitely! For summer training, Cadets travel to one of 28 Summer Camps located in different parts of Canada. In addition, selected Cadets go on exchange trips to countries such as England, Germany, Norway, Sweden, Scotland, Wales and Italy under an international exchange program. Exchange Cadets are selected on their high standards in performance, fitness and involvement in Cadet activities.

Cadets learn from members of the Cadet Instructors Cadre, Officers who are specially trained to instruct and supervise youth. In some cases, civilian volunteers who possess special skills are called in to assist Cadet Instructors. Both the Cadet Instructors and civilian volunteers have chosen to dedicate their valuable time to helping Cadets reach their potential.

No. Cadets make absolutely no commitments regarding future military service and are free to leave at any time. However, those who decide to join the Forces later on start out with the advantage of having learned valuable skills through Cadets.