Cadets

The Cadet Program is a dynamic, funded program
for young Canadians aged 12 to 18 across the country.
Join the Army Cadets and participate in exciting and
challenging activities that you can’t experience anywhere else.

The Cadet Program

The Cadet Program provides opportunities for youth to gain valuable knowledge and skills that build confidence and help pave the way in a transition to adulthood. Cadets engage in varied and unique experiences, while developing competencies in leadership, citizenship, and physical and mental fitness. Offering positive youth development programs in communities across Canada.

Army Cadets build outdoor and leadership skills through participation in expedition activities such as hiking, climbing, kayaking, orienteering.

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.

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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

Army Cadets

The Army Cadet Program focuses on physical activity and the outdoors.

Expedition

Expeditions develop knowledge on how to travel long distances in various environments. Army cadets also learn how to take care of their field equipment.

At a higher level, they can participate in longer and more difficult expeditions. These expeditions may include mountaineering, caving (exploring caves) and white water rafting.

Physical Fitness

The army cadet program offers many sports activities that are not available to other elements such as climbing, mountain biking and rafting. In addition to practicing these activities at the unit, several summer camps are offered to improve your skills in these disciplines. Each year, a few experienced cadets can participate in a parachuting course.

Survival

Army cadets participate in training in the bush in summer and winter. They learn how to build makeshift shelters and how to survive using what nature has to offer. This includes learning how to make a fire, find water, make themselves visible to rescue workers and many other useful skills.

Map and Compass

Army cadets learn to use various means to find their way in the wilderness. Whether it is with maps and compasses, GPS technology or stars, cadets will always find their way.