Cadets chose their own adventure during virtual spring break

FSgt Jaskirat Singh
888 Avenger RCACS, Vancouver 

WO2 Myranda Middleton
848 Royal Roads RCACS, Victoria

WO Harmannat Pabla
3300 British Columbia Regiment Bhai Kanhaiya, RCACC, Surrey
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Cadets in B.C. haven’t been able to train in person since November 2020, but that hasn’t stopped them from having unique experiences and opportunities.

Spring Break was no exception.

Throughout the two-week break,  225 sea, army, and air cadets logged onto WebEx each day to advance their skills, make new friends, and have fun virtually with through the Spring Break Cadet Activities Program.

Cadets had access to drop-in workshops ranging from boat and buoyancy basics, building shelters, human synergistics, photography, and music. Forty cadets also earned their Pleasure Craft Operator’s Card by completing Module 1 of the Small Craft Operator Permit course.

A major highlight of the weekly program included a virtual CAF Familiarization tour of Operation Palaci with Lt McGall, First Regiment Canadian Horse Artillary Shilo, Manitoba, and WO Ubbing from the 20th Field Regiment in Red Deer, Alberta.

They discussed how Op Palaci helps control avalanches in Rogers Pass and answered questions from cadets.

More than 70 cadets also participated in a virtual tour of 442 Transport and Rescue Squadron located at 19 Wing Comox led by Major Ryan Port, CC-115 Buffalo Flight Commander. Cadets were shown around a CC-115 Buffalo, and the systems that support it, and then talked to Maj Port about flying, search and rescue, and life at 19 Wing. 

Citizenship is another aspect of the Cadet Program; cadets were treated to a tour of the British Columbia legislature, led by MLA Dan Davies, who is also a Cadet Instructor’s Cadre Officer. Cadets learned history of the Legislature and how bills are reviewed and voted upon. In addition, cadets asked Davies about aspects of his job and the government process.

Spring Break offered Year 5 workshops to senior cadets. In their last year of formal training, cadets choose a series of workshops to enhance their interests, personal development and leadership skills.

They had workshops such as time management, dynamic instruction, communication tools, and ethics. These skills are important when they become instructors in the program.

Many workshops were taught by senior cadets. Adult staff worked in the background to provide IT and administrative support. Highlighting workshops, schedule changes and the cadet experience on social media was managed by a team of Cadet Correspondents.

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