“GET A LIFE” CALL TO LOCAL TEENS

Local teenagers are being encouraged to put real-life fun, friendship, action and adventure ahead of social networking for a few hours each week.

The cadet organisations are inviting local teens to take a break from their computers, phones and digital devices in order to check out what’s happening at Cadet Detachments right across Northern Ireland. 

On offer will be everything from boredom-busting outdoor adventure to confidence-building accreditations, with the opportunity to create a new network of friends while gaining skills and discovering hidden talents.

Colonel Sam McCammond, Commandant of 2nd (NI) Battalion Army Cadet Force, says, “We know just how much young people can achieve when they are given the opportunity and support to succeed, and that’s exactly what we offer in the Cadet movement. It’s always good craic, but our Cadets also put in some serious work, learning something new every week and stretching themselves with training that can lead to respected accreditations.  Acquiring those new skills – whether that’s a BTEC in Public Services or how to abseil off a cliff – creates a real sense of achievement.  Importantly, it also gives our Cadets something significant to put on their Personal Statements as they prepare for college or apply for their first jobs and everyone comes away feeling positive about themselves. 

“No-one can be good at everything, but we believe that everyone can be good at something and our hugely committed Adult Instructors make sure that every one of the Cadets under their care has the encouragement and opportunity to shine.”

Teenage Cadets are already getting behind the membership campaign, preparing to welcome newcomers; amongst them is16-year-old Anisha Anil from Lurgan (pictured above), an enthusiastic member of the Banbridge Academy ACF Detachment.  Anisha, whose cheerful image features strongly on recruitment advertising, says, “We all know how much you can get out of being a Cadet, but we also know that it can be awkward to walk into somewhere new, knowing no-one.  Hopefully anyone coming along to check out our Detachments will see how friendly we all are and will feel welcome. … it’s up to us to persuade them to give Cadets a try!

“If you tried to do outdoor activities alone or with mates you’d find it very expensive, but we get to do all sorts of things as part of our involvement with Cadets – mountain biking, climbing, marksmanship, abseiling and kayaking, plus we can do the Duke of Edinburgh Awards, work towards BTECs and we get the chance to go on Camp every year.  There’s so much happening that there really is something for everyone and most of us manage to find something we particularly enjoy doing – but, even if you aren’t great at a particular activity, it’s always good craic having a go!”

Colonel Adrian Donaldson, Commandant of 1st (NI) Battalion Army Cadet Force, adds, “Parents naturally want to give their children as many opportunities as possible but there have to be limits to withdrawals from the Bank of Mum & Dad!  A key benefit of the cadet movement therefore is that all our activities are affordable or, even better, totally free … even the uniforms are free; all kids pay for is their footwear.

“Cadet membership is open to boys and girls from age 12 to 18 (upper age is 20 for the air cadets) and, right now, local detachments are encouraging potential new members to come along and see for themselves what the Cadet movement has to offer. The earlier you join the more time you have to fit in all the experiences, but people shouldn’t be put off by the idea that they’ve maybe left it too late. You can join at any time.

“Some Detachments are within schools, so information about how to join will be readily available from fellow students and schoolteachers, while other Detachments are open to wider membership.  Certainly, for most people, there will be a Detachment within easy reach, and we are hoping that we’ll see plenty of potential new members coming along to check us out, without any obligation to make a commitment. 

“Mums and dads are welcome to come along too, to see what the kids are getting involved with … and we’re hopeful that we may even be able to persuade some intrepid parents to consider working with us as Adult Volunteers! It’s not just children’s lives which can be energised through the cadets!”

For more information on how to join, contact us at here or call us on 0800 730 730.