Royal Canadian Army Cadets is a national program for all young Canadians aged 12 to 18 who are interested in participating in a variety of fun, challenging and rewarding activities. These activities will encourage and help develop: 1) physical fitness; 2) leadership skills; 3) engaged and active citizenship; and 4) personal health and well-being. Many cadets are high achieving students that go on to become Canada’s future leaders. The Government of Canada is committed to investing in our youth and expanding the reach of the program. Through the Cadet Program, young Canadians can experience positive development opportunities and strengthen communities across Canada.

As an Army Cadet you will learn to become an active and responsible member of your community. You will make valuable contributions to Canadian society on a daily basis through citizenship and community-service activities. Here are some examples of the skills you will learn as an Army Cadet: Outdoor expeditions, map and compass, GPS technology, orienteering, first-aid, camping and survival skills, canoeing, abseiling, trekking, mountain biking, marksmanship and leadership

All Army Cadets have the opportunity to apply for summer training courses ranging from two to six weeks in duration. There are also employment opportunities for senior cadets to work at Cadet Training Centres as instructors or support staff. There are even specialized training opportunities that Army Cadets can undertake, including Basic Parachutist, Leadership and Challenge in the Canadian Rocky Mountains and the National Rifle Team. There are international exchanges to countries such as Wales, Scotland, England, South Korea and Australia. In these exchanges cadets might participate in training with that country's Army Cadet Program or focus on exploring the many cultural and historic aspects of the host nation. There are also national and regional expeditions where cadets spend several days doing intensive training in such activities as rock climbing, rappelling, hiking, mountain biking, canoeing and white-water rafting.

To be eligible for membership as an Army Cadet one must: be a legal resident of Canada (e.g. be a legal resident of Canada is a Canadian citizen, a landed immigrant, refugee claimant, or the dependant of a person who is lawfully resident in Canada on a temporary basis for the purpose of education or employment); be at least 12 years of age; not have attained 19 years of age; normally be in good physical condition; not belong to another corps or squadron; and be acceptable to the Commanding Officer (CO) of the cadet corps or squadron.

The Royal Canadian Army Cadet program is funded by the Department of National Defence in partnership with the civilian Navy League, Army Cadet League and Air Cadet League of Canada. The civilian sponsor requires local community support to meet its obligations that include accommodations, training aids and equipment and program enhancements not otherwise provided. Parents and Cadets are expected to participate in and contribute to fundraising as required by the League’s local sponsoring element. The Department of National Defence/Canadian Armed Forces assumes costs (including uniform and travel) for Cadets. Consequently, membership in the Cadet Program provides thousands of Canadian youth with unique opportunities free of charge that they might not otherwise experience — making the Cadet Program a viable option.

Through the mandatory Positive Social Relations for Youth training program, you will learn how to: interact within the cadet community interact positively with others exercise sound judgment accept personal responsibility for your actions and choices deal with interpersonal conflict and seek assistance from available resources when needed

The safety and well-being of all cadets and other personnel in the Cadet Program is our top priority. The Cadet Program offers many challenging activities to the Army, Sea and Air Cadets. All of these activities have some element of danger, and this risk is increased because of the young age of cadets. Cadet leadership and participants take every measure to reduce and eliminate dangerous situations. We place a high level of importance on making sure that all members of the Canadian Cadet Organizations (CCO) follow the General Safety Program. Supervision Commanding Officers are responsible for ensuring that all Corps or Squadron activities are appropriately supervised. All Reserve Force members other than members of the Cadet Instructors Cadre must successfully complete the screening process before becoming a Cadet Instructor. Phase Training / Star Program / Proficiency Level Program Each authorized cadet activity that is part of the Mandatory Training Program must have at least 1 paid Cadet Instructor or a paid Civilian Instructor. These instructors are responsible for the cadets and physically participate in the activity. This includes Phase Training for Sea Cadets, Star Program for Army Cadets, or Proficiency Level Program for Air Cadets. Optional activities All approved activities must be under the responsibility and supervision of a Cadet Instructor or paid Civilian Instructor. The Cadet Instructor can either be on paid service or be providing support without pay during the optional activity. Day Activities For every 20 cadets there must be at least 1 adult supervisor of each gender, for mixed gender activities. This also includes day activities where no overnight accommodation is required such as a tour or visit. If required, a senior cadet of the appropriate gender may assist in supervisory duties for this type of activity. Overnight Activities There must be at least 1 adult supervisor of each gender, for all mixed gender activities. The minimum ratio for overnight activities is 1 adult supervisor for 15 cadets. There are separate sleeping accommodations for male and female cadets and staff. The following are the safety standards for billets: In Canada, cadets will only be billeted in private residences where all adult residents have successfully completed the appropriate League screening process Cadets participating in international exchanges will only be billeted in private residences where all adult residents have been screened to the maximum extent allowed under the laws of the host country Cadets billeted in private residences will be provided with contact phone numbers where the officer in charge of the activity can be contacted at all times

If a cadet suffers from an illness or injury during an approved cadet activity, you have access to the same level of medical care as a Private of the Reserve Force who is serving on a short-term basis. This includes emergency medical and dental care, and follow-up care if required, at public expense. You also have access to long-term insurance coverage through policies maintained by the civilian Navy League, Army and Air Cadet Leagues of Canada.

Absolutely not. Cadets is a great way to find out more about Canada, make friends and develop new skills that will be with you for life, no matter what career you choose. Army Cadets are not members of the military.