Creemore Cadets rebuilding corps

 In Community

1944 RCEME Army Cadets in Creemore is going strong, having recovered from a slump in participation.

The cadet corps has a history of being a very robust program but numbers had dwindled even prior to the pandemic. Capt. Jason Higgins said when he took over as Commanding Officer in March 2022 membership was at zero. Since then enrolment has grown to about 35 cadets and Higgins said that means their presence is starting to grow in the community through participation in events and community service.

Since March the corps is growing, training, participating in community activities and has been received several accolades.

This weekend, three of the Creemore cadets are heading to the provincial biathlon championships, after winning seven medals at the area finals at CFB Borden.

In November, the corps’ most senior cadet, Warrant Officer Brooklyn Higgins won the Major General W.A. Howard award, presented to one cadet in each province and territory who has achieved the highest results in the 4th year annual Gold Star Training Level.

“For our Cadet corps that was a huge deal because literally six month prior there were zero cadets in the cadet corps. Six months later we have someone winning the award for the top Army Cadet in Ontario,” said Higgins, who is also her father.

The Cadet corps was recently denied relief on rental fees for the Creemore arena but has been granted permission to use the arena hall for marksmanship training.

The Creemore Legion is home base but Cadets will use the arena for marksmanship training in the month of February and their annual review on June 3.

Higgins said he is confident the corps will find financial support elsewhere and they have been encouraged to apply for funds through the township’s community grant program.

Higgins said there is a misconception that the Cadet program is fully funded by the federal government. He said some activities are funded, but the corps relies heavily on the Army Cadet League for fundraising.

Cadets are preparing for a change of command in the next month or so and registration is open. Anyone who joins now can still apply for summer opportunities, like free summer camps.

1944 Army Cadets is open to all youth from Creemore, Stayner, Wasaga Beach, Shelburne, New Lowell, Dundalk, Flesherton, Alliston, Lisle, Everret, and surrounding areas.

Weekends activities include camping, survival training, marksmanship, obstacle course, and abseiling.

Army Cadets is open for all youth aged 12-18, and registration is free. The Army Cadet program provides experiences and training in camping, adventure training, citizenship, leadership, physical fitness, marksmanship, drill, band, and more.

For more information email 1944army@cadets.gc.ca, visit Creemorearmycadets.com, or stop in on any Thursday night from 6:45 p.m. to 9:15 p.m.

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