DIDSBURY - Cadet members of the 3025 Didsbury Service Battalion, Royal Canadian Army Cadet Corps (RCACC), recently took part in a field training exercise west of Water Valley, putting their classroom training into practical use through such things as the use of compasses in land navigation.
Taking place at Camp Howard in the Ghost Public Use Zone, the exercise included setting up tents, starting and using fires for warmth and cooking, and practising basic survival skills such as fashioning improvised fishing rods.
Master Corporal Kaydence King-Smith, a third-year member of the 3025, created a day navigation course for junior cadets to gain experience in land navigation in a wilderness setting.
“The cadets were quick to figure out that a metal radio and watch was causing an issue with the compass which was taking them off course,” King-Smith said in a press release from the RCACC. “I was really impressed with how quickly they figured it out and got back on course.”
Ghost Public Use Zone is 1,500 square kilometres of mixed-use wilderness west of Water Valley.
The year-round Canadian Cadet Program is peer-led, giving participants an opportunity to undertake physical activity while learning new skills. It is open to boys and girls 12 to 18 years of age.
The program is currently looking for new members, as well as adult helpers. Anyone interested can contact the 3025 Didsbury Service Battalion at 403-426-0014 or email [email protected].
The 185 Olds Royal Canadian Air Cadet Squadron is also looking for members at 403-556-7630 or [email protected].
