Cadets host annual open house

Shannon LeClair

Times Reporter

 

The RCACS 903-Squadron Air Cadets hosted an open house at the Quonset on the agricultural grounds on Oct. 13. Every fall the cadets host an open house to showcase what they are all about and allow interested families a chance to ask questions. 

“It’s a super program,” said Joanna Howard, public relations for the squadron. Howard is on her third generation of cadets. Her husband was a cadet and had been an officer of a squadron in Calgary, and when their son and daughter turned old enough, the Howards asked them to spend a year in cadets and go to at least one camp. Their kids loved it enough to continue on, though neither pursued the aviation industry. 

Cadets are free to join and the uniforms are supplied, but like any club, fundraising is needed to help keep the club running.  

“We rely a lot on fundraising and parent support for fundraising,” said Howard.  

The squadron is open to kids aged 12 to 19, and while kids can join when they’re a little older, it’s recommended they start earlier rather than later. The main reason is because there are different levels which need to be completed and a few of them can be combined but at a certain point it will be to late to join. 

Cadets can teach kids leadership skills and help them achieve a higher level of confidence, along with many other skills which can help them later in life. 

“You can tell a kid who’s in cadets whether he’s in uniform or blue jeans on a bottle drive. The politeness and civility is there and just a general respect,” said Howard.

Cadets have a chance to take part in the music, athletics or aviation aspects. All Air Cadets have an opportunity to obtain two different types of Transport Canada Pilot Licenses, the Glider Pilot License and the Private Pilot License. There are scholarships available to the cadets to obtain the licenses. 

The cadets meet every Wednesday at the Quonset and are always looking for new members.