Information for parents

Why air cadets? It’s a fair question, but ask anyone who has taken part as a cadet, adult volunteer or parent and you’ll know how special the organization is. It offers young people from all walks of life a chance to get active, learn new skills and make new friends in an inspirational and safe environment.

It doesn’t interfere with their school responsibilities and cadets take an invaluable set of experiences and strong personal ethics with them when they leave that they can put to good use at university or in the career of their choosing. It’s true that some cadets do take up a career within the Canadian Forces, but there is no liability for them to join up after leaving the organization. Their personal development as confident and spirited young people is our main aim.

Under the guidance of our fully qualified staff we’ll offer your son or daughter many activities to take part in and every opportunity to build their strengths and improve their confidence. We hope that they stay with us for several years and thoroughly enjoy their time as a cadet – our staff are always on hand to assist parents with any questions or concerns.

Your responsibilities

We ask parents for as little as possible. We provide the uniform and the musical equipment for the Band and encourage cadets to be self-sufficient and keep their uniform and squadron properties in good order themselves. Don’t be upset if they ask you not to iron their shirt as there is a certain way of doing it and they are encouraged to handle it themselves! However, you are responsible for their uniform, which is valued at around $300.00 and is issued on loan – it should only be used for air cadet activities and must be returned at the end of their time with us.

Beyond this, your responsibility is mainly for getting your son or daughter to the squadron promptly for Parade nights and supporting them as they progress. However, any further involvement is always gratefully received.

Funding

All organizations need funding. We are luckier than most youth organizations as the CF provides the uniforms and some additional funding for flying and several other activities. Each cadet is required to purchase a book of Air Cadet Lottery tickets valued at $50.00; by selling the tickets you can keep the proceeds as your reimbursement.  The funds raised from the lottery goes towards funding the many activities that your cadet will participate in throughout the year.

Squadron citizen trips may lead to extra costs – but we will always keep these to a minimum. We want the organization to be available to everyone and staffs are happy to discuss cost-related issues with parents at any time.

As a squadron we must provide the rest of the required funding, primarily through the fundraising efforts of the Squadron Sponsoring Committee.. We’re always looking for parents who are keen to get involved with their squadron’s Committee or would like to become a volunteer!