What We Do
Survival Activities - The Air Cadet program teaches basic survival activities. They teach the enemies of survival, how to use a compass, how to light, maintain and extinguish a fire, how to build snares, how to read a map and navigate using a map, gathering and drinking water safely and much more. The cadets sleep in 4 man crew tents or 8 man arctic tents which they set up themselves. They eat military rations for food!
Community Service and Volunteering - The cadet program aims to teach the cadets the importance of community service and volunteering. The cadets participate in Remembrance Day services in Estevan and surrounding communities. We have also volunteered for numerous years at the Salvation Army Teddy Bear Toss and the Salvation Army Kettles. We have made scrap booked cards for the residence of the Long Term Care Facility and for Soldiers oversees. We have spent many years decorating the wards at St. Joseph's hospital. We have also participated in the Canadian Cancer Society canvassing drive in Estevan.
Physical Fitness/Sports - Being healthy is an important component of the cadet program. We participate in the Air Cadet League run curling activity each year. The cadets have an opportunity to experience many sports such as floor hockey, dodgeball, badminton, volleyball, skiing, snowshoeing, ping pong, flag football and baseball. We have even taken a yoga class and hosted the Estevan Tae-Kwon-Do club for a demonstration. We also participate in bi-annual fitness testing. This is for cadets to find a baseline of where they are physically and then work hard over the year to try and beat their last records. Depending on the cadets fitness level they can earn badges for bronze, silver, gold and excellence.
Drill - Drill is a fundamental part of the program as it teaches discipline, steadiness and leadership. As a cadet moves up through the ranks they can try out for parade positions and are able to lead the squadron and set an example for other cadets. The uniform that the cadets wear allow uniformity among the squadron. The uniform is free of charge but is expected to be maintained at an acceptable level. Each week we pick two of the best uniforms and those cadets get to become part of the flag party.
There are so many more activities that the cadets participate in! We build model rockets and launch them far into the sky, we take classroom teaching to a whole new level with hands on experience. Cadets learn to talk in front of a crowd through our Effective Speaking program and through teaching their peers. Each and every cadet finds something that they enjoy about the program!
Flying and Gliding - There are many opportunities for cadets to go flying and gliding. Each fall or spring the cadets have the opportunity to go gliding. A glider is an unpowered (no motor) aircraft that uses naturally occurring currents of rising air in the atmosphere to remain airborne. These gliders are flown by current certified cadets or cadets who have graduated from the program. Though the cadet program you are given the opportunity through a summer camp to obtain your glider pilot and power pilot licence!
Marksmanship/Biathlon/Range - The shooting program for the Air Cadets includes Marksmanship, Biathlon, and Range. The cadets have the opportunity to compete at the local, zone, provincial, and national level in Biathlon and Marksmanship. They shoot Daisy Air Rifles at the local level competitions. At the provincial level of biathlon the cadets have an opportunity to ski and shoot. Marksmanship equipment such as hats, goggles, gloves, jackets and shooting mats are provided for the cadets to use.
Summer Camps - Each summer many cadets across Canada are selected to go to summer camp. Camps are 2-6 weeks in duration depending on what camp you apply to. Cadets travel all across Canada to attend the camps. There are many different types of camps including marksmanship, flying, sports, survival, leadership, music, and staffing. Cadets are paid $60 per week to attend summer camp and all travel to and from camp is also provided free of charge.
