The 2328 Royal Canadian Army Cadet Corps program provides opportunities and challenges for young people between the ages of 12 and 18 from Flin Flon, Creighton, Denare Beach, Cranberry Portage and the surrounding areas.
Participation does not require a commitment for the cadet to join the Canadian military.
The military provides cadets a structured training program, uniforms, limited military camping equipment, transportation and meals when travelling outside of the Flin Flon area.
The military also supplies officers who train cadets in the areas of citizenship, summer and winter wilderness survival, navigation, leadership skills, physical fitness and safety programs. They also seek to generate interest among cadets in a military career.
The training and safety training programs are an asset for cadets and can help in their future sport recreation activities.
Cadets in good standing with the corps policy on attendance, uniform dress and deportment, and attitude may be selected for summer camp in other parts of Canada such as Vernon, BC, Whitehorse, YT, Cold Lake, AB, Ghost River, AB, and Connaught, ON.
However, the military does not provide funding for hall rentals, camping trips, school gym rental for sports activities, cadet and family appreciation suppers, equipment trailer insurance, trophies and awards or additional training outside of the military curriculum.
Additional training includes but is not limited to hunter safety, watercraft safety and snowmobile safety training. These additional costs are funded through local fundraising coordinated by the 2328 Army Cadet sponsor group.
Dedicated cadet parents, army cadet corps officers, volunteers and local organizations and businesses all combine to make the army cadet program a success.
Recently, the army cadets have benefited from grants and donations that allowed the purchase of equipment for training and camping exercises.
An enclosed 16-foot cargo trailer with industrial shelves was purchased to create a mini warehouse that is used to transport field training and camping equipment in a secure, waterproof and organized manner.
This purchase was made possible through funds from the Northern Neighbours Community Foundation, Youth In Philanthropy, Royal Canadian Legion Branch 73 and the army cadet sponsor group.
A 12- by 20-foot training/HQ tent and several water purification kits were purchased for the club by the Rotary Club of
Flin Flon.
Northern Neighbours also purchased several tents and single-burner campstoves for the cadets’ use.
The 2328 Army Cadets hold their training most Monday evenings at 7 pm in the Flin Flon Community Hall. Anyone interested is welcome to attend to learn more about the program. More information is also available by calling Daryl Wilkinson at 306-688-7420 or Bill McLean at 204-687-5878.
Al Mymko is treasurer of the 2328 Army Cadet sponsor group.
