Although those ages are quiet young I am sure any parent would worry about their child being sent off to camp with a bunch of people and being far away. But I think this is a terrific program and surely it helps to mature these young adults into fine respectable adults. I think letting them call their parents once in a while is a must, I know i would be worried sick if they did not let them call me, they must be brave little ones and so must the parents. We have something similar to this in the USA and it is truly amazing the changes it does for these kids.

Barb, that sounds more like the militia, or reserves. Most of our reservists train one night a week, one weekend a month, and then for about 6 weeks in summer. Many of the young cadets do eventually join either the reserves or the regular forces once they are old enough. They can join at 16 with parental consent, or at 18 on just their own consent. There is also the Royal Military College, which offers young people a university education during the school year and then puts them to work, with the rank of Officer Cadet, during the summer. These young people are considered reservists as well.

The cadet program is mostly about training during the school year. The summer training is an earned privilege. I believe at this point, about 1 in 3 cadets will be offered summer training for anywhere from 10 days to 6 weeks. Staff cadet positions are even more precious because the young people work for the government and are paid to attend the camp session.

Cadets are not part of the military, and cannot be called into service. There are a number of cadets who do choose to join the military upon ageing out, but it’s not required. My MamaOzzy is planning to take her recommended time off in order to attend to her studies; she then wants to return first as a civilian instructor, and then as an officer with the Cadet Instructor Cadre.

Yes, I am a very proud Mama!

Angel, I wasn’t aware the US had a similar program. I know about ROTC but it seems like that’s quite different. I’ve actually been told by many Americans that they wish there was a cadet program like ours in the US.

I also wanted to reassure you: cadets are allowed to call home whenever they have liberty – which is usually several hours after supper Monday – Saturday, and all day on Sundays. They may or may not be allowed to keep a mobile phone with them during training, depending on the rules of their particular camp and course. But they are always given the phones back while on liberty, and there are pay phones they can use when they have the time.

Kids are just very busy at camp – especially staff cadets! Many times they arrive late on their travelling day and so cannot call home that day. But by the time our young cadets go to camp even the first time, parents are used to them travelling with other cadets for shorter field training exercises. We know they’re in good hands, between the senior cadets and all the adult staff. They all watch out for the younger ones especially, and there is ALWAYS a phone call home if a cadet is even late for a regular training night at the local headquarters.

The cadet program is a really safe place for our kids to make friends, learn new skills, and mature into exceptional adults. They have everything at their disposal to become, truly, Canada’s finest young people.

There are camps for thee disabled that are fantastic. I do not understand why they have to be so expensive. Even with a scholarship it could cost 600 dollars.