For the Townsman
Local air cadets met with their West Kootenay counterparts recently.
Over the weekend of Jan. 16 – 18, East Kootenay Air Cadets — from the 552, 266 and 279 squadrons — met up with West Kootenay Air Cadets for what has become their annual Fitness Weekend at Selkirk College, Castlegar.
In total there were 90 Cadets — 37 from the East Kootenay — between the age of 12 and 18 participating in the Cadet Fitness Program. Some of the local cadets earned Bronze, Silver, Gold or Excellence Badges with their results. The weekend focus was on fitness, but cadets also utilized their leadership skills and built friendships.
Air Cadets offers something different for the youth of today. Cadets can study aviation, flight simulators, survival, leadership, field training exercises, map & compass, orienteering, range, effective speaking, drill, rifles drill, team building, and they get familiarization flights in a Cessna and glider.
Cadets can earn up to 12 high school credits and volunteer hours, awards and medals, as well as gain personal accomplishments. Cadets can also earn their Glider and Power Licences through the air cadet program.
552 Key City Air Cadets meet every Tuesday, 6 – 9 p.m., from September - June at 308-10th Avenue South, Cranbrook. For more information call 250-426-3685 or email trainingdesk552@gmail.com.