Bonfire & Parents Night

Arctic Bay.

Operation Bonfire 17 took place on the evening of October 14 behind the airport.  The cadets of 3045 were transported to the airport by truck and atv.  I drove my skidoo because I could use it to ferry cadets down to the bonfire site.  (The site is actually located behind the airport, near the open water).  We brought many essential supplies: roasting sticks, marshmallows, hot dogs, buns, juice boxes, matches, flashlights, Firestarter sticks, a shovel, and a first aid kit.  Night was beginning to settle as cadets collected pieces of wood and constructed the bonfire.

            

Roasting over an open fire.

The senior cadets were able to light the fire despite the cold weather.  Everyone gathered around the fire to warm up.  We slowly fed the fire with more pieces of wood and after about 10 minutes, we got our bonfire.  The roasting sticks and snacks were brought out.  We surrounded the fire, roasting hot dogs & marshmallows.  There was enough food this time for seconds & thirds. 

Me roasting a hot dog.

Artistic photo.

I passed my camera around and many photographs were taken of the event.  There would be enough pictures by the end of the night for me to create a photo album on the corps’ Facebook page.  The bonfire lasted about 90 minutes.  When it was time to go, we extinguished the fire using snow and cold water. 

Group photo.

The cadets & the leftover supplies were transported back to the airport parking lot using atvs and my skidoo.  The experience made me feel like an Uber driver.  Two pickup trucks were waiting for us to transport everyone home.  I followed the trucks to Frank’s shop where a quick debrief was held.  The shop also gave the cadets a chance to warm up. 

3045 Army Cadet Corps of Arctic Bay held its first Parents Night Parade of the 2017-18 regular training year on Wednesday, October 18.  The parade would give parents the opportunity to see what their children were learning at the corps and to be present for the awarding of badges.  A local RCMP officer would be act as the Guest Reviewing Officer (GRO). 

The parade began at 6:30pm.  All the cadets were formed up in the middle of the gym wearing their green dress uniforms.  I marched in, escorting the RCMP officer to the “front” of the parade square.  The audience stood for the playing of the national anthem.  The cadet platoon commander escorted the GRO through the open ranks, inspecting the cadets.  I used the time to welcome everyone to the parade and briefly explain the aims of the Canadian cadet movement.

Cadet Willie, E receiving his
badge.

The cadets did a March Past to showcase everyone their drill skills.  The GRO then gave a short speech to the cadets & the audience.  The GRO assisted me in presenting the marksmanship & fitness badges.  There are four marksmanship levels that a cadet can attain.  They’re conveniently numbered 1 to 4, with 4 being the highest.  Attaining a Level 1 requires a cadet to shoot 10 rounds at two grouping targets and each grouping has to be a minimum of 3cm in diameter.  To earn a Level 4, the groupings have to be 1.5cm in diameter or less.  I called out the cadets one by one and the GRO presented them with their badges.  They also had their pictures taken.

Three cadets salute after receiving their badges.

Cadet Pauloosie, S receives her PT
badge.

Physical fitness/training is one of the main components of the Canadian Cadet movement.  The cadets have a PT Test once a month.  I participate despite my old age.  My body gets a good workout doing all the required activities.  There are four PT levels: Bronze, Silver, Gold, Excellence.  Again, I called out each individual cadet and the GRO presented them with a badge. 

The parade concluded with the Advance in Review Order and a General Salute.  I escorted the GRO out of the gym and the cadets were dismissed.  The audience applauded the cadets.  Everyone stayed for 20 minutes to enjoy the snacks prepared by local volunteers.