CANORA – The Canora Air Cadets squadron held an open house on Oct. 1 at the Canora Composite School gymnasium, and judging by the turnout, the group is in for an exciting and busy season.
“We were happy with the turnout,” said Captain Darren Paul, commanding officer. “We held the open house to increase awareness of our Canora cadets program and hopefully attract new recruits.”
The cadets program is open to young people aged 12-18. The potential recruits took in a variety of different stations at the open house that highlight cadet activities during the upcoming season.
A tent was set up at the survival station. Survival training received by the cadets will teach them skills and exercises that can be vital for survival in the outdoors. They also got to see actual MRE packets that are part of survival training
“These are meals ready to eat,” said FSgt. Maisie Kuzminski, a fourth-year cadet. “You just boil the food bag in water and it’s ready to eat. You can get things like hash browns, beef patties, maple rolled oats, and rice and beans.”
Visitors could also get a close look at the flight simulator which is part of the cadets program.
“The simulator has three screens,” said 2Lt. Wade Stachura. “It gives cadets a pretty accurate experience of what it’s like to fly a plane, and how a plane reacts to the pilot. You can do actual checks and it simulates a lot of different Saskatchewan and Canadian airports.”
Stachura said, if the cadets mess up on the simulator, they will even learn what it’s like to crash and burn.
“You learn what to look for when you’re flying. One of the few things that’s different is you don’t feel actual G-forces.”
A rocket launch station was set up, explaining how cadets get to assemble and launch rockets.
“It teaches them the principles of flight and propulsion,” said Captain Paul.
One of the fun activities for cadets to enjoy is flying remote-controlled model planes, and visitors had a chance to give it a go during the open house.
A main area of focus in the cadets program is physical fitness. During the season, members will have the opportunity to participate in sports such as: soccer, volleyball, badminton and dodgeball.
Sgt. Max Paul, a third-year Canora air cadet, said the program is “very inclusive. You get opportunities here that you can’t get anywhere else.”
Paul said being a cadet has definitely broadened his horizons.
“Shining your boots and taking care of your cadets wardrobe is important,” he continued. “It gives you confidence and you learn discipline.
“I enjoy the marching drills. After working on it for a while, it feels really good when you get it right.”
FSgt. Maisie Kuzminski, now in her fourth year in the cadets program, said the experience has helped her “become a good leader. You meet new people, make new friends, it’s a great learning opportunity.”
Kuzminski has taken advantage of travel opportunities offered to cadets, including Moose Jaw, the Saskadet program near Kelvington and even survival training in Whitehorse, Yukon.
“If you have the time, take the chance and join cadets,” she concluded. “It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity.”
