Cadet life valuable for young people Summer camps offer
Cadet life valuable for young people
Summer camps offer
GLENDA JANES
The Amherst Citizen
Glenda Janes - for The Citizen. Cadet life has been an important part of the lives of youth in and around River Hebert for nearly 60 years. Members off the 1442 Army Cadets attended summer camps this year and include MCpl. Jalysa McKinnon (left), Cadet Bradon McLellan, Cpl. Amy Rushton, Cadet Travis Rushton, and W.O. Breanna Clinton
RIVER HEBERT - For nearly 60 years, young people in and around River Hebert have had a history of success in army cadet endeavours.
The area has been home to the army cadets since 1949.
This year 10 army cadets from 1442 River Hebert continued the tradition as they successfully completed summer training courses and employment at Camp Argonaut in New Brunswick and at Camp Connaught in Ontario.
The cadets went through stringent training such as bush survival, marksmanship, platoon command, canoeing, 2.5 kilometre morning runs, and numerous other types of training.
But it wasn’t all work.
“You get to meet interesting people and do new things,” remarked cadet Travis Rushton.
He attended the two-week Basic Army Cadet Course at Camp Argonaut in Oromocto, N.B.
Also attending the two-week Basic Army Cadet Course was Braden McLellan.
“I enjoy the rifles, meeting new people and learning new things. I got to be platoon commander,” McLellan said.
Breanna Clinton, who attended the Cadet Leader Instructor in Physical Education and Recreation Training at Camp Argonaut, was more than pleased with the experience.
“I got a chance to do a lot of new things and I really enjoyed the sports. It’s a real confidence builder”
Jalysa McKinnon was selected to participate in the six-week Cadet Leadership Course in Marksmanship at Camp Connaught in Ontario.
“I spent six weeks shooting and learning new things. I rank 91st across Canada in the 600 yard. Cadets gives me the chance to learn things that I won’t learn in school.”
MacKinnon is a proponent of army cadets stating her desire to encourage others to join.
“Yes it’s a great place to be. You get to try new things. Meet new people and go new places. It’s fun and it really can build your self confidence and everyone needs self-confidence. And best of all it’s free. ”
River Hebert Army Cadets 1442 meet every Wednesday night from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
New members are always welcome.
“It’s an experience you would never get anywhere else,” says Amy Rushton.
“I even made sergeant for the final parade at Camp Argonaut.”
She attended Army Cadet Leadership Course, a six-week training session.
Other cadets that attended Camp Argonaut for the Basic Army Cadet Course included William Miller and Ryan Carmichael. Taking part in the Cadet Leader Instructor in Drill and Ceremonial was Vanessa Nuttall Several members from River Hebert worked as staff members at Camp Argonaut and included Calvin Daborn and Christopher Nuttall.
