What We Do

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, sea, land and air cadet corps and squadrons are in communities across Canada.

Sea Cadets develop seamanship skills, including navigation and how to sail. Army Cadets build outdoor and leadership skills through participation in expedition activities such as hiking, climbing, kayaking, orienteering. Air Cadets gain aviation related skills through activities that include flying, gliding, and studies in aerospace.

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.

1.      Invite all Canadian youth – 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. 

2.      Instill Canadian Military Values – 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.

3.  Develop Citizenship, Leadership, and Fitness – 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.

4.  Balance Safety and Challenge – 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.

5.  Leave a positive lifelong impact – 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.

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.

Why Cadets?

The Mission of the Cadet Program is to contribute to the development and preparation of youth for the transition to adulthood, enabling them to meet the challenges of modern society, through a dynamic community-based program.

The Vision of the Cadet Program is to provide a relevant, credible and proactive youth development organization, offering the program of choice for Canada’s youth, preparing them to become the leaders of tomorrow through a set of fun, challenging, well-organized and safe activities.

The Aim of the Cadet Program is to develop in youth the attributes of good citizenship and leadership, promote physical fitness and stimulate the interest of youth in the sea, land and air activities of the Canadian Forces.

We strongly encourage open communication between parents and cadets when it comes to joining the program as cadets who are forced unwillingly into the program may not get much out of it. As the saying goes, “you get out of cadets, what you put into it”. Cadets will be required to maintain a high standard of dress and deportment. Through cadets you will learn so many neat and exciting things that you will not find anywhere else!