What is the Cadet program?
What is the purpose of Cadets?
What do Air Cadets do?
Who joins Cadets?
Will Cadet training affect my schoolwork?
How old must I be to join the Air Cadets?
What are the requirements of membership?
What do I need to join?
How do I join Cadets?
What will it cost?
Will I have to pay dues?
Do I buy my own uniform?
If I only make a nominal donation to join Cadets, then who pays for everything else?
When and how often do Air Cadets train and meet?
What kind of commitment is expected?
What will I do at weekly meetings?
Are there any extra curricular activities?
How often do Air Cadets get to fly?
Do Air Cadets receive pay?
If I join Cadets, will I be joining the Canadian Forces?
Do I have to join the Canadian Forces after Cadets?
Who instructs and supervises Air Cadets?
What about pilot training?
What is the training year?
Can Air Cadets obtain summer employment?
What about summer training?
What do I do at summer training?
Are there travel opportunities?
About Cadets
What is the Cadet Program?
The Cadet Program is the largest federally-sponsored youth program in Canada that includes the Royal Canadian Sea, Army and Air Cadets. It is a national program for young Canadians aged 12 to 18 who are interested in participating in a variety of fun, challenging and rewarding activities while learning about the sea, army and air activities of the Canadian Forces.
Cadets are encouraged to become active, responsible members of their communities.
They make valuable contributions to Canadian society on a daily basis in terms of environmental, citizenship and community activities.
Cadets also learn valuable life and work skills such as teamwork, leadership and citizenship.
What is the purpose of Cadets?
Cadets form a national organization whose purpose is to develop in youth the attributes of leadership, engaged and active citizenship and physical fitness, all within a safe environment that stimulates an interest in the Canadian Forces.
What do Air Cadets do?
Lots of different things, many of which relate to flying!
- gliding
- precision drill (military marching and parades)
- team sports
- target shooting
- public speaking and leadership training
- first-aid
- camping
- summer camps and international trips
- survival
- band
You will participate in these activities during the weekly meetings and on the weekends. You will also support your community by taking part in citizenship events organized by your Cadet squadron. It all happens in a fun, friendly, safe environment that will motivate you to give your best.
Joining
Who joins Cadets?
With over 24,000 Air Cadets across Canada, we're an organization with a proud history. Many former Cadets say that the Cadet Program gave them a head start in their successful careers. For example, did you know that astronauts Marc Garneau, Chris Hadfield and world junior biathlon champion Jean-Philippe Le Guellec were once Cadets? Rick Mercer (actor and comedian), Myriam Bédard (Olympic Gold Medallist in Biathlon), The Honourable Brian Tobin (Former premier of Newfoundland & Labrador), The Right Honourable Joe Clark (former Prime Minister of Canada and Ernie Boychuck (Associate Chief Justice of Saskatchewan) were also once Cadets. Maybe someday we'll be using your name on our site!
Will Cadet training affect my schoolwork?
Education is very important to Cadets. Cadet training is a hands-on, activity-based program that should complement school studies. In fact, some provincial and territorial education boards accept Cadet subjects for school credits. As well, there are several scholarships available through Cadets. The skills you develop at Cadets will benefit you with your schoolwork. You'll be more organized, you'll be better able to focus and you'll learn to work in a team.
Many Cadet activities can also count towards the mandatory community involvement component (40 hours) required to graduate.
How old must I be to join the Air Cadets?
You are eligible to join a squadron if you have reached your 12th birthday but not your 19th.
What are the requirements of membership?
All potential Cadets must be of good character, interested in the program and prepared to attend parades regularly. You must be Canadian Citizen or landed immigrant and in good health. Permission of your parent or guardian is also required.
What do I need to join?
The documents required are:
- proof of provincial health insurance
- proof of age
- proof of Canadian citizenship or landed immigrant status
How do I join Cadets?
The 62 Phantom Squadron regularly recruits every training year. Please call the squadron at 289-440-2641 or send an e-mail to info@62phantomaircadets.ca to find out more information.
Cost
What will it cost?
There is a small nominal fee requested by the Ontario Provincial Committee of $125 for the first child of each family, and $100 for every other child in the family (for example: a family with 2 cadets = $225, 3 cadets = $325). You will receive an official charitable tax receipt. There are no other weekly dues. A uniform (valued at more than $600) will be provided, on loan, free-of-charge. There is no charge for all mandatory training activities. On occasion there are optional social activities such as dances, dinners, March break and year-end trips that may have nominal charges. Many times these optional social activities are partially or fully subsidized by the Squadron Sponsoring Committee (SSC).
Will I have to pay dues?
No. But you will be asked to participate in fund-raising activities such as Tag Days, special parades, etc.
Do I buy my own uniform?
No. Complete uniforms (valued at more than $600) are loaned to Cadets by the Canadian Forces. You are expected to keep the uniform looking clean and neat. As you grow you may exchange your uniform for a large size at no charge.
If I only make a nominal donation to join Cadets, then who pays for everything else?
The major partners in the Cadet Program are the Department of National Defense and the Air Cadet League of Canada (civilian non-profit corporations.) These organizations work together to provide the facilities and material required to operate each Cadet corps and squadron. The Squadron Sponsoring Committee also organizes fundraising, applies for grants and accepts donations.
Activities
When and how often do Air Cadets train and meet?
Cadets usually meet once a week on Friday nights 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at the Mountain Ridge Community Center and some weekends throughout the school year. A Cadet must participate regularly in the activities to remain in good standing at the corps or squadron.
What kind of commitment is expected?
You are expected to attend your weekly parade each Friday. In addition, you will be expected to participate in some mandatory fund raising activities throughout the year. Many other activities are available throughout the week. You may join as many as you have time for.
What will I do at weekly meetings?
Some of the activities you can expect at the Cadet unit include ceremonial drill, first aid, sports, and citizenship events that support your community. Many corps and squadrons also have music programs. Occasional weekend activities include sailing, camping and marksmanship. There will also be plenty of time to have fun and make new friends!
Are there any extra curricular activities?
62 Phantom Squadron has many activities five days a week. A Drill team, Rifle Team, Debating Team, Band, Flying Scholarship Program, Gliding, Model Building, etc..... We also participate in occasional weekend activities, trips and competitions.
How often do Air Cadets get to fly?
Generally our squadron goes gliding 5 times a year. We encourage each Cadet to fly at least once a year.
Do Air Cadets receive pay?
Air Cadets are not paid during the year, however Cadets have an opportunity to earn training bonuses for summer courses. In addition, some Cadets have an opportunity to work at summer training centres.
Canadian Forces
If I join Cadets, will I be joining the Canadian Forces?
Not at all. Cadets is a civilian youth organization with ties to the Canadian military, but it is not part of the Canadian military.
Do I have to join the Canadian Forces after Cadets?
Absolutely not! Cadets is a great way to find out more about Canada, make friends and develop new skills that will be with you for life, no matter what career you choose. There is no requirement or commitment to join the Canadian Forces
Training and Instruction
Who instructs and supervises Air Cadets?
Air Cadets are instructed by officers of the Cadet Instructors Cadre (CIC) or Senior Cadets who have completed the Cadet Level Program - a component of the Canadian Forces who are specially trained to instruct and supervise youth. Also, Civilian volunteers such as ex-Servicemen, school teachers, former Air Cadets and other persons willing to devote time to this activity are also active in the Air Cadet program.
What about pilot training?
Air Cadets who can pass the required medical and written examinations can qualify for aircraft and glider pilot scholarship courses conducted at flying clubs, schools and special camps across Canada.
What is the training year?
The Cadet training year parallels the school year, September to June.
Summers and Travel
Can Air Cadets obtain summer employment?
Yes. For senior Air Cadets who are properly qualified, the summer camps and special courses offer worthwhile summer employment opportunities - a chance to "earn while you learn".
What about summer training?
For those interested, Cadets have 28 summer camps located across Canada. Cadets can go to camp for two to eight weeks on a variety of courses. Attendance at Cadet summer camps is free. The Canadian Forces provide all transportation, meals, lodging and special equipment. Every Cadet attending summer camp receives a training allowance; Cadets in staff positions at camp receive a salary. Each camp offers a unique mixture of outdoor activities and valuable instruction.
What do I do at summer training?
The thrill of gliding and flying provides the backbone of the Air Cadet program. Each year nearly 600 deserving Advanced Air Cadets receive powered flight scholarships and gliding scholarships. The remaining Cadets learn valuable life skills and important values like mutual respect, integrity and professionalism through lessons in navigation, theories of flight and aircrew survival.
Courses offered at Air Cadet summer camps include training in leadership, instructional techniques, music, marksmanship, flying, navigation, meteorology, air traffic control, ceremonial drill, physical education, computer skills, survival training, aerospace studies and citizenship.
Are there travel opportunities?
Definitely! For summer training, Cadets may have the opportunity to travel to one of 28 summer training centres located in different parts of Canada. In addition, selected Cadets go on exchange trips to countries such as the United Kingdom, Australia, Singapore, France, Sweden, Turkey, Hong Kong, Belgium, Japan and the United States under an international exchange program. Exchange Cadets are selected on their standards in performance, fitness and involvement in squadron activities.
62 Squadron endeavours to travel each March Break and sometimes in the summer. Some of our trips have included: Washington, DC; US Atlantic Fleet Base Norfolk, VA; Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Dayton, OH; Canadian Forces Base Valcartier, PQ; London, England are just some of the highlights!