Why join?

Prince George Army Cadets offers great experiences and opportunities for youth ages 12-18 from all backgrounds.

Army Cadets is FREE! We provide your uniform all we ask is that you bring a good attitude and can be responsible. A regular training year follows the school calendar from September to June with regular parade nights on Wednesdays and several other extra curricular activities on other evenings and weekends.

Although modified for COVID, Regular parade nights consist of an inspection of uniforms, two-three 25 minute classes ranging from drill, map reading, sports nights, and building survival kits. A curriculum is set for each year so Juniors focus on being members of a team, while Seniors learn leadership and instruction skills.

Some of the other activities cadets can participate in include:  Marksmanship, Biathlon, Drill Team, and First Aid Team.

Check out the recruit handbook here

PG Army Cadets also do a number of Field Training Exercises (FTX) away from the Connaught Youth Centre.  These exercises involve camping outside, learning bush craft and survival skills, making shelters, fires, signals, navigation and GPS, rope work, and many other things vital to a member of the Cadet Corps. These weekends are also free and meals (or army rations!) are provided. Cadets may need to be dropped off at some of these events.

There are also day long or weekend long in-house sessions held at the Youth Centre to build teamwork and friendship between the Cadets. These weekends focus on leadership for the Seniors, dress and deportment, sports, and having some fun. All activities are currently day-only events with no overnight activities due to COVID.

During the summer while we are on stand down, some will have the opportunity to attend Summer Training. First year Cadets will attend basic General Training and in following years can attend Summer training such as: Expedition, Marksmanship, Leadership, Pipes and Drums, Drill and Ceremony, Fitness and Sport, and many instructor level courses. Some Cadets will have an opportunity for an International Exchange to another country and even to train as a parachutist!

Cadet are paid while at Summer Training and Seniors can work at the Summer Training Centers much like a summer job.

What Army Cadets Do:

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.

Two cadets sit in a canoe on a lake surrounded by trees.

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.

Two cadets are on a rope course wearing gloves and helmets.

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.

Two cadets wearing field training uniforms are making the structure to light a fire in the woods.

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.

Two cadets wearing backpacks and red shirts are looking at a map together in the outdoors.

All info from https://www.canada.ca/en/department-national-defence/services/cadets-junior-canadian-rangers/cadets/about.html

Past activities:

  • Canada Day Ceremony
  • Royal Canadian Legion Poppy Campaign
  • Remembrance Church Parade and Day of Remembrance
  • Remembrance Day Ceremonies
  • Remembrance Day Ceremony Senior Citizens Gateway and Simon Fraser Lodge
  • CANFOR Children’s Christmas Party
  • Christmas Cheer and Carols Gateway and Simon Fraser Lodge
  • Vimy Ridge Parade
  • Vimy Ridge 100th Anniversary Trip to UK & France
  • Rocky Mountain Ranger Regimental Dinner
  • Annual Dinner and Dance with Silent Auction
  • Liberation of Holland Tulip Parade
  • Trips to Edmonton, Quebec
  • Swimming
  • Air Rifle, .22 Rifle, and C7 range shoots.
  • Field expeditions to PG Rod & Gun Club, Willow River, Houston, Valemount, Bobtail Lake, Shesta Lake
  • Regional and provincial biathlon competitions
  • Regional air rifle, drill, and first aid competitions.
  • We soon hope to hold courses such as: WHMIS, Fire Suppression, Babysitter Course, Bear Aware, CORE course, and Foodsafe to help Cadets get into the job market