“It’s all about the cadets,” stresses Capt. Margaret Somerleigh, commanding officer of the “908 Rainy Lake” Air Cadet Squadron.
Capt. Somerleigh, who has worked with youths for 30 years, serves in two locations: the sea cadets in Atikokan and the air cadets here in Fort Frances.
At a meeting upstairs in the Memorial Sports Centre last Thursday evening, representatives from the Air Cadet League of Canada, local sponsors for the squadron, Canadian Forces members from Winnipeg and Thunder Bay, and local volunteers were on hand to review program requirements and to identify future leadership candidates.
“We had 13 new cadets join this year,” noted 2nd Lt. Diane Wood, a local cadet officer.
“My oldest wishes he had known about this when he was young . . . it’s a lot of fun,” she added.
Some stated, however, that with few adults willingly offering time and with upwards of 25 kids parading each week, the workload can be a bit much.
“We could use some help,” Wood admitted.
The cadet program is funded both by the Canadian military and a local support committee.
The cadets get to go to camps across Canada during the summer months, learning a variety of skills and developing interests, from flying (both powered flight and gliding) to bush survival, music, marksmanship, and leadership.
Other than personal expenses, there are no direct costs to the youths. Food, lodging, travel, and even some clothing come as part of the package deal.
And in some cases, cadets even can earn income.
Adults are, in some cases, uniformed members of the Canadian Forces reserves; others are non-uniformed civilian volunteers.
Most are paid for their time at military pay rates. As well, in some cases, training is provided to be “youth leader specialists” for oversight of the program.
Though the cadets participate within a military structure, the stated purpose is not to recruit for the Canadian Forces. Rather, the program aims to promote good citizenship and give kids a chance to excel at opportunities they typically may not encounter.
“We have two young people that have gained their pilots’ wings, one in gliding and the other in powered flight . . . this would be a considerable expense, but cost them nothing except their time and dedication,” Capt. Somerleigh stated with obvious pride.
She stressed the local squadron is not in trouble, but it needs leaders—adults who can find the time to help out.
She convinced me this is a cause worthy of local support.
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