The 3234 Manitoba Horse Royal Canadian Army Cadet Corps (St. Pierre Cadets) is back in full swing with their regular programming. This is a cadet program for youth ages 12 to 18, which focuses on building good citizenship, leadership, active lifestyles, and team building. Captain Kim Murphy says she and the staff are very excited for another year, and gives an overview of the activities which are part of the program:
"We meet every Thursday evening, but we also meet once a month on weekends where we either have field training exercises where kids, or youth, I should say, learn to build shelters, they learn about map and compass, how to build fires, they put their leadership skills into play as well, it's a really fun program!"
Fun, friendly, and inclusive
Captain Murphy goes on to say the cadets find a huge sense of camaraderie and friendship amongst themselves and their superiors:
"We have an amazing time with our cadets [...] My staff is amazing, they're all ready to take on the new year, you know, they're all ready, we're all excited [...] Kids come in and they're shy right? [...] But it doesn't take long before these friendships and meaningful friendships start to develop and they're helping one another [...] And we're very inclusive as well [...] It's a beautiful program, an amazing program."
Cadet Chief Warrant Officer White has been part of the program for 6 and a half years. He is about to age out of the program, but says he's had an amazing time and would recommend any and all parents look into it for their kids:
"It's been a wonderful experience; it's really been a highlight of my teenage years. [...] I look back on it and it's just been an absolute joy to be a part of this program; It's been an excellent opportunity for myself to develop as a character and as a citizen within my community as well."
Cadet White has had the opportunity to travel across Canada with this program, and says he's made memories and friendships to last a lifetime:
"I could drive across Canada without ever paying for a hotel. You make a ridiculous amount of lifelong friends withing the program and that's truly a reward for me; is to meet so many young people across Canada and to get to know them so deeply. Not only within the cadet training centres during the summertime, but throughout the year as well you get to know your local community very, very well and other cadets within the province. So, it's been an absolute joy."
Building character and confidence
Cadet White goes on to say that he's gained confidence within the program, and feels he's been properly prepared for the adult world thanks to the training he's received.
"Cadets at its core is really, they're character builders. The program is very, very strong in the way it develops youth for their future careers, whatever that may be. It's not really focused on developing cadets for one specific career, it's developing cadets for whatever they want to do in life. And I think cadets has really prepared me for my future career."
Cadet White is starting school for paramedicine and is looking forward to joining the First Responders in the future.
A completely free program
Captain Murphy and Cadet White encourage everyone who may be interested to give the program a try, and explain that there really isn't any risk involved, as it's a free program. Uniforms cost families absolutely nothing. There are no costs for the program at all, including the summer camps and travel. This is largely thanks to grants and funding through the Department of Defense and supplemented by parent-led fundraisers.
Captain Murphy says joining the program couldn't be easier. All you have to do is show up (with a parent or guardian) to the St. Pierre Rec Centre on Thursday evenings. They'll answer questions, give parents some paperwork to sign, take measurements for the child's uniform, and that's it! There isn't a deadline to apply, and new cadets can be added at any time throughout the year. There are no requirements to join, physical or otherwise, other than wanting to be there. Captain Murphy welcomes all who wish to try the program to come and do so at any time. They have the capacity for many more cadets and love welcoming new recruits. You do not have to live in St. Pierre in order to join the program. You can also sign up at cadets.ca.