Dave Ogilvie
The 144 Royal Canadian Sea Cadet Corps (Fort Frances) held a “Range Day” at the Emo curling rink on Saturday.
All the cadets were given a day of rifle training using Daisy air rifles, including proper shooting technique and gun safety.
Many other activities have been planned for the cadets in the coming months.
In related news, camp applications for their summer training programs are due next week.
In the past, several local cadets have attended training activities aboard the HMCS Ontario, which at the time was stationed in Kingston, Ont., while another cadet attended a music camp in British Columbia.
One cadet, in particular, had a fantastic time while attending a program that stressed physical fitness and taught him the skills necessary to become a drill instructor.
The Sea Cadets is a well-developed program that trains young people from coast to coast.
Last year, roughly 5,000 Sea Cadets participated in summer training offered at camps in Comox, B.C., Fort Qu’Appelle, Sask., Kingston, Ont., Ste-Angèle-de-Laval, Que., Cornwallis, N.S., and St. John’s, Nfld.
During their annual “sailing weekend” in Kenora, the local cadets learn about sailing, seamanship, shipboard life, naval communications, power boat handling, boat repair, marine engineering, tall ship training, and ship deployments.
Any student interested in joining the Sea Cadets can do so as soon as they turn 12 (there is no need to wait until the beginning of the next school year).
The 144 Royal Canadian Sea Cadet Corps (Fort Frances) meet every Monday at 6:30 p.m. upstairs at the Emo curling rink.
There are no enrolment or registration fees. All the basic activities and events of the cadet program are covered.
Uniforms and boots are lent at no charge to the cadets. Members chosen for summer camps attend at no cost.
Cadets are personally responsible for haircuts, care of their uniform and boots (i.e., cleaning and polishing), lunches or snacks for some activities, and their share for social events such as a movie or dance.
All cadets also are expected to participate in local fundraising projects.
Parents also are encouraged to take part in fundraising efforts to cover costs not covered by the Department of National Defence or Canadian Forces.
Volunteer parents also become members of the local Navy League, which is responsible for the ongoing expenses and activities of the Sea Cadet program.
For more information, visit cadets.ca or simply drop by the next meeting in Emo.
