Arctic Bay has a pretty good Cadet Corps program in place here. In a community with not a lot of activities to offer young people Cadets has been a bright shiny light here. Over the past few years they’ve done very well in drill and shooting competitions and have garnered individual awards and accomplishments. Every year, Cadets from Arctic Bay travel to Whitehorse for the camp there; many as staff.
Monday saw another milestone in the local Cadet Corps with a re-badging ceremony as they have just become associated with the Royal Regiment of Canada (not to be confused with the Royal Canadian Regiment – I was). I catered the coffee and snacks for the event, and a delay in starting meant I actually got to watch the ceremony. It was a ceremony filled with dignitaries, including a Brigadier General, the honorary Lieutenant Colonel of the Royal Regiment of Canada, another Colonel (head of the Cadet program and others)
There are benefits to being associated with a Regiment such as the Royal Regiment of Canada (which has two other Cadet Corps in its family – both of which are in it’s traditional area of operations/recruitment). One benefit is the Cadets can get a real sense of history from a Regiment whose battle honours (including those of regiments it perpetuates) include the Northwest Rebellion, the Boer War, Great War, World War II and Korea. Having a sense of history in a unit helps with the building of pride and often makes units try harder. More importantly a Regiment such as the Royal Regiment of Canada has associations that support the Cadet Program with private resources, offering the chance for the Cadets here to be funded for exchanges down south etc. Exchanges amongst the three Royal Regiment Cadet Corps will help foster a larger world view amongst the local Cadets, and that will be a great benefit.
So congratulations to the Cadets and to their officers and instructors. You have done very well.
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Argh…..I’m disappoint I missed that. I haven’t been as involved this year with the corps, but I think this is a great milestone as you say. One of the things I remember most from my time in army cadets was that when you went to summer camp and met cadets from other parts of Canada, one of the first questions you asked and had asked of you was “What regiment is your corps affiliated with?” I found that regimental affiliation really gives you a sense of pride and makes you want to work really hard to to live up your Regiment’s storied history.
It was a nice ceremony Darcy. I have it on good authority that the Carrot Cake that was served afterwards was pretty good also.
Hi…Frank and Ron still as officers…if so please say hello and congrats. I think of Jennifer, Nappassi and many of the other girls and Micki and Ricky and other ones I skied with last winter and.. a surprise ceremony at the end where they gave me a thank-you card after ‘ inspecting” the troops. I was just in blue jeans and they were all so formal. great group of kids and leaders.
Hi Bonnie, Yes Frank and Ron are still officers and they have three or so others helping, what they call Cadet Instructors. Nappassi won an award at the ceremony, which in addition to being a re-badging was also their wrap up for the year. I believe she won, most improved Cadet.