The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
The 2328 Royal Canadian Army Cadet Corps got their season underway this past week. The corps operates out of the Maj. Ben Grimmelt Army Cadet Training Centre located at 5 Timber Lane in the Flin Flon Industrial Park. Registration took place within the last two weeks, and Cpt. Bill McLean says he's optimistic about this year's group. "We've got a really good bunch of people this year and I'm pleased with the numbers," he says. After one night of registration, the army cadets signed four new members. Along with the additions, more then 30 cadets have returned from the previous year. According to McLean, cadets learn a variety of important things that can be carried out throughout life. "We try to do two citizenship projects every year," he says, adding that such service is important. The project ideas come from either requests from the community or are near and dear to someone involved in the corps. "The projects teach the young people that if they don't volunteer, things in the community will suffer," says McLean. In the past, the group has fixed footbridges and repaired the Cenotaph war monument, among other projects. "The community is good to us, so it's good to try and return that (favour)," says McLean. "It gives the cadets a positive slant towards their community to be a part of a positive group," he says. He also says, "Youth are an asset to the community." The army cadets have three main goals: to promote physical fitness, community involvement and offer familiarization with army life, such as outdoor survival exercises. McLean says it is important to keep a balance of all three. Aside from regular meetings and volunteer projects in the community, the cadets get a chance once a month to play sports. They play basketball and volleyball, along with other sports. "At the end of the year we have a wrap-up barbecue and the cadets always look forward to that, too, because they get to go canoeing," says McLean. And aside from the hot dogs, hamburgers and canoes, McLean says it's good for them to be out and socialize and meet people. That is linked to two additional benefits that McLean sees cadets walking away with: "confidence and public speaking, which are an asset in school." Putting all the life lessons and fun times aside, McLean says the corps also offers participants a second home. "We're like one big family and a support system," he says. McLean says he would like to make a few changes this year to the way things are done. "I would like to put more emphasis on the younger people taking charge and do more supervising," he says. For more information about the free cadet program, open to males and females ages 12-19, phone 687-4936 or 687-3669.
