Nelson Six attend Albert Head Cadet Summer Training Centre
By Contributor
A handful of Nelson Air Cadets have left the friendly confines of home to attend Albert Head Cadet Summer Training Centre (CSTC) in Metchosin, a rural community outside Victoria.
The cadets are part of 3000, between the ages of 12-16, attending respective summer camps. This mobilization is almost triple the initial B.C. mobilization for the First World War.
The Nelson air cadets – mostly 12 and 13 years-old – boarded their bus at 2:40 a.m., picking up other cadets in communities on the way to Cranbrook Airport.
Once in Vancouver, they board another bus, take the ferry, board the bus (again) and are scheduled to arrive in Metchosin at 7:30 that night – almost 17 hours after saying good-bye to their loved ones.
The newest of B.C.’s four CSTC, Albert Head Air CSTC was established in 1995. Each year, almost 1000 cadets attend the summer camp between July and August, while a staff of approximately 150 provide supervision and instruction.
As a provincial training facility, air cadets selected for the courses and as staff come from the 58 Royal Canadian Air Cadet Squadrons located throughout B.C. There are approx.. 3600 air cadets in British Columbia.
Albert Head CSTC offers the Air Cadet two-week familiarization course, General Training, as well as the following advanced courses: three-week Basic Aviation Technology and Aerospace Course, Basic Drill and Ceremonial Course, Basic Fitness and Sports Course, Basic Survival Course as well as the six-week Drill and Ceremonial Instructor Course and Military Band Intermediate Musician Course.
The Cadet Program is the largest federally-sponsored youth program in Canada and includes the Royal Canadian Sea, Army and Air Cadets.
It is a national program for young Canadians aged 12 to 18-years who are interested in participating in a variety of fun, challenging and rewarding activities while learning about the sea, army and air activities of the Canadian Armed Forces.
Cadets are encouraged to become active, responsible members of their communities. They make valuable contributions to Canadian society on a daily basis in terms of environmental, citizenship and community activities.
Cadets also learn valuable life and work skills such as teamwork, leadership and citizenship.
