Aviation Days
Aviation days are full-day, offsite activities that engage cadets in learning opportunities to help them further understand aviation principles and industries. In past years, cadets have been to aviation museums, flown drone aircraft, toured airport hangars and towers, and practiced flight simulation.
Biathlon
General
1. This order defines the types of biathlon training authorized within the Canadian Cadet Movement (CCM) as well as the policies that govern the use of resources associated to this type of activity.
2. Biathlon is part of the complementary and optional programs at the Corps/Squadrons level, part of the Regionally Directed Activities for the zone and provincial competition and part of the Nationally Directed Activities for the national championship.
3. Biathlon is a sport that combines physical fitness with marksmanship skills through a combination of two activities.
- physical fitness: a macro-level muscle activity with high aerobic demands that requires strength, speed, endurance with the ability to rapidly recover to a resting heart rate. The physical fitness aspect may be conducted in the traditional winter version of skiing or through the use of an equally physically demanding summer version with running; and
- marksmanship: a micro-level muscle activity that requires fine motor control and delicate precision. The marksmanship aspects may be conducted using either smallbore or air rifle.
4. Furthermore Biathlon is a sport where the use of cadets in official’s positions is practical, thereby allowing additional leadership opportunities for senior cadets. Opportunities for senior cadets to be incorporated into the official’s organization at appropriate levels should be maximized.
Aims
5. The aims of the cadet biathlon program are:
- to allow all cadets an opportunity to participate in a progressive biathlon program;
- to promote physical fitness;
- to compliment the cadet marksmanship program;
- to promote the safe handling of rifles;
- to produce proficient coaches and officials; and
- to stimulate and maintain an interest in the Canadian Cadet Organizations (CCO) and act as a recruiting tool.
6. The Biathlon Program has both recreational and competitive aspects:
- Recreational: Basic physical activity combined with introductory air rifle firing is integrated into a simple activity that can be performed by each cadet at the local corps or squadron. This should also include a confirmatory activity combining the marksmanship and fitness activities into a true biathlon; and
- Competition: Various levels (local, zone, provincial, national) and types of competition (individual and team races) that allow cadets to participate in progressively challenging activities.
Recreational Activity
7. This should consist of a simple program that is accessible to cadets from all three elements in order to meet the following objectives:
- introduce all cadets to the concept of biathlon;
- be practised at the corps and squadron level;
- promote physical fitness at the corps and squadron level;
- compliment the Cadet Marksmanship Program; and
- have cadets participate in a fun filled activity.
Competition Activity
8. This component will incorporate the various skills learned into an activity that will introduce cadets to friendly competition. These competitions will be structured as part of the CCM Biathlon Championship Series (CCMBCS).
9. The CCMBCS will serve to meet the following objectives:
- to enhance the training done at the corps/squadron or at the development centres;
- introduce cadets to the competitive process;
- to improve the personal development and physical fitness of competing cadets;
- to improve the personal development of cadet officials relating to leadership skills;
- to promote sportsmanship, sports etiquette and fair play; and
- to provide a tri-service activity.
Commanding Officers Parade
The CO’s Parade occurs once a month, and allows the Commanding Officer to review the squadron and present awards and promotions to notable cadets. These events are open to family and friends.
Community Engagement
Biannual community engagement (fall and spring) allows the squadron to raise the money it needs to conduct year-round training activities. Five shifts are available each season for cadets to politely ask members of the community to provide a small donation in exchange for a “Support Cadets” tag. Cadets are expected to tag a minimum of three shifts per season to aid in meeting our fundraising goals.
Effective Speaking
Aims
- To provide an opportunity for Air Cadets to increase their self-confidence; and increase their ability to reason, organize and express ideas;
- To promote the citizenship component of local squadron training;
- To provide a focus at the Local, Regional/Wing, Provincial/Territorial, and National levels, to promote and encourage Air Cadets to participate in an optional activity that will provide them with an opportunity to acquire effective speaking skills through instruction and practice in a structured and competitive environment;
- To increase public awareness regarding the citizenship and leadership aspects of the Air Cadet program at the national, provincial and local levels.
Implementation
In the Air Cadet program, we use words such as leadership, teamwork, self-discipline, self-confidence, good citizenship. Cadets who participate in the effective speaking program will learn all of these things.
The skills they learn here will help them immeasurably in other areas of their life as well, whether they are making class presentations in secondary school, or later, interviewing for admission to professional
faculties at universities, making presentations to colleagues at work, leading volunteer organizations, or running for public office.
Field Training Exercise (FTX)
“If it ain’t raining then it ain’t field training.” Field Training Exercises are full-weekend activities that occur twice a year during the fall and spring. Cadets experience training in remote campsites while conducting team-building activities and participating in survival training. From tying knots to creating temporary shelters, cadets are exposed to a variety of survival tactics.
Marksmanship
General
1. This order defines the types of marksmanship training authorized within the Canadian Cadet Organisations (CCO).
2. The marksmanship program is comprised of: the mandatory, complementary and optional activities at the corps/squadron level; the Cadet Summer Training Centre (CSTC) program; the Regionally Directed Activities for zone and provincial competitions; and the Nationally Directed Activities for the national championship.
Definition
3. The terms Cadet Instructor and Civilian Instructor (CI) used in this order have the same meaning as defined in article 1.02 of QR (Cadets).
Aims
4. The aims of the Marksmanship Program are:
- to allow all cadets an opportunity to participate in a progressive marksmanship program;
- to promote the safe and proficient use of firearms for sport and recreational purposes;
- to produce proficient coaches and officials; and
- to stimulate and maintain an interest in the CCO and act as a recruiting tool.
5. The Marksmanship Program has both participatory and competitive aspects:
- Participatory Aspect: introduction to air rifle firing includes familiarization, classification and recreational marksmanship:
(1) Familiarization marksmanship is part of the mandatory activities at the corps/squadron level and is described in the elemental cadet training manuals,
(2) Classification marksmanship is part of the complementary activities at the corps/squadron level and is described in Annex A, and
(3) Recreational marksmanship is part of the complementary activities at the corps/squadron level and is described in the elemental cadet training manuals; and - Competitive Aspect: various levels (corps/squadron, zone, provincial, national) that allow cadets to participate in progressively challenging activities. Details on the CCM Marksmanship Championship Series (CCMMCS) can be found in Annex B. The CCMMCS is fully described in the Cadet Marksmanship Program – Reference Manual (A-CR-CCP-177/PT-001).
Marksmanship takes place at: 142 Chem. Freeman, Gatineau, QC J8Z 2B4 -We encourage parents to carpool if possible.
Mess Dinner
The squadron hosts a Mess Dinner once per year. This is a formal, traditional military-style dinner with officers, cadets, family and friends. Cadets receive one ticket as part of their membership, and are encouraged to sell tickets to others who might like to join.
Power Flying
Power Flying Familiarization is conducted twice a year and provides cadets with the chance to fly from Ottawa flying club over downtown Ottawa in groups of three (plus a pilot!) for one hour. Spots are limited, but cadets who have shown dedication in tagging and overall attendance can sign up for the opportunity to fly in a Cessna 172 aircraft.
Remembrance Day Ceremonies
We are proud to be invited to participate in various school Remembrance Day Ceremonies. This is a local day of observance to recognize fallen military members. It is a great honour to be chosen for this activity that allows us all to reflect on the sacrifice of the Canadian Armed Forces, in past and recent history.