NI CADETS HEAD TO CANADA FOR THE ADVENTURE OF A LIFETIME

As part of the Royal Canadian Army Cadet (RCAC) and UK Army Cadet Forces’ bilateral exchange programme, 3 groups of UK Army Cadets have been invited to attend one of three 6-week RCAC courses in Canada. There are 43 cadets and Cadet Force Adult Instructors (CFAVs) heading to Canada, including 6 cadets and 2 adults from Northern Ireland.

After a final briefing at Hammersmith Cadet Training Centre in London, the cadets and CFAVs  from all over the UK set off from Heathrow. Their first journey took them to Toronto, Vancouver and Calgary and on to one of three Canadian Cadet Summer camp locations: Rocky Mountain, Argonaut and Whitehorse. They join cadets from all over Canada also taking part in the Summer Camp season at some of the most awe inspiring camp venues.

As the teams left Hammersmith for Heathrow the air was filled with excitement and, despite the early hour, there were huge smiles on the faces of the adventurers.

During the course of the 6-week camp, a programme of adventurous training is planned and is expected to be the highlight for many of the cadets.  The exchange group is made up of both ACF and CCF cadets and resulted from a selection exercise earlier in the year. 
 
ACF Training Advisor, Colonel Clinton Riley said “It’s great to see the Cadets heading off on a life-changing summer of a lifetime. Building on this year’s exchanges, Lt Col Jimmy Beggs, who has recently been appointed OC Regional Command Exchanges, already has plans in hand to expand the opportunities for our Cadets.”

One of the Northern Ireland Cadets, Cadet Sergeant Mark Townsley from Newtownabbey, was recently presented with a plaque from Antrim and Newtownabbey Council in recognition of his selection for the course, illustrating that he and the other cadets selected are great ambassadors for the Army Cadets.

We wish them all a wonderful trip and look forward to hearing about their adventures.

 
Pictured above are Cadet Corporal Charlie Griffith from 2nd (NI) Bn ACF and Cadet Corporal Lucy Sommerville from 1st (NI) Bn ACF, who are both taking part in Expedition Instructor Course Argonaut at the Cadet Summer Training Centre, Gagetown Camp, Fredericton, New Brunswick. During this course the cadets will also get the opportunity for some sightseeing in  the Bay of Fundy and Prince Edward Island.

 
Pictured above are Cadet Sergeants David Morgan and Mark Townsley, both from 1st (NI) Bn ACF, who will be taking part in Leadership and Challenge Course Rocky Mountain: at the National Army Cadet Summer Training Centre, Calgary, Alberta They will transit through Calgary and have a chance to explore Banff and Calgary during their stay.