How To Join

The Commitment

Cadets in 337 Queen's York Rangers Cadets are expected to attend all weekly Tuesday training nights and monthly weekend activities. Tuesday night training operates from September to June, with a two-week winter break, and a week-long March Break. There is also a monthly activity that is either a full weekend (Friday night to Sunday afternoon) or a full Saturday or Sunday. There are also two fundraising weekends, usually one in October and one in April, which are mandatory, as well as the Annual Ceremonial Review, held at the end of the training year in late May or early June.

 

Other activities, such as teams, unit recreational activities, expeditions, and summer courses, are optional, but highly recommended. Attendance at mandatory activities is a big determinant for these optional activities, so cadets should try hard to keep their attendance up.

 

At a minimum, cadets must have 60% attendance, and not miss more than three consecutive training nights. Should this commitment not be met, than cadets must return their uniform and any issued items. Cadets must inform their leaders when expecting to be absent for an activity or an extended period of time, and must sign-in at the office if they miss roll-call at the beginning of a training night.

 
Uniform

Cadets are issued a uniform two to three months after joining. This uniform remains property of 337 Queen's York Rangers Cadets, and cadets are expected to maintain and look after it. Any losses or damage must be reported to the Supply Officer. Cadets must return all uniform parts when leaving 337 Queen's York Rangers Cadets (with the exception of the socks). Click here for more information on uniforms. 

 
Costs

There are no costs to join and stay in the cadet program, including all mandatory activities, summer courses, and expeditions. There may be costs to attend some recreational activities. Other secondary costs may be necessary for uniform maintenance (such as boot polish kits), snacks from the unit canteen, and other items such as a nametag or non-uniform clothing.

 
Staff & Instructors

All adult staff and instructors are trained and screened by the military to work with youth, and maintain a high-level of professionalism. Other support staff and sponsoring committee members are screened by the Army Cadet League of Canada. Senior cadets are also trained to instruct and lead activities, under adult staff supervision.

 
Summer Courses

Summer training is available to cadets, and is made up of courses ranging in length from 2 to 7 weeks. Individual courses focus on drill and ceremonial, fitness and sports, marksmanship, music, and expedition training. Courses are primarily held at two Cadet Training Centres (CTCs): Blackdown CTC (at CFB Borden, near Barrie), and Connaught CTC (at Connaught Ranges, near Ottawa). Applications for summer courses are done in February, and selections are done in April. Most cadets who apply are selected for summer courses, but due to limited course availability, not all cadets may be selected. Cadets are selected on the basis of attendance, cadet level, previous courses, training performance, and attitude.

 
Teams

337 Queen's York Rangers Cadets operates some teams during the year, which train on Wednesday nights (AT FORT YORK ARMOURY, 660 FLEET ST, TORONTO), and participate in inter-unit competitions. These teams are optional to join, but require a high level of attendance for those on them. The teams are the Air Rifle Shooting Team, Band, Orienteering Team (outdoor map and compass navigation), Biathlon Team, Duke of Ed Team and Drill Team.

 
Joining the Military

 

Army Cadets are not part of the Canadian Forces. While a close and unique relationship exists with our veterans and the men and women who currently serve our country, Army Cadets is a civilian youth program that provides young people with many skills and experiences. There is no expectation to join the military: that’s a personal, voluntary decision which Canadian citizens, including Army Cadets, may make.