Welcome to one of the first youth programs in Canada. With nearly 75 years of rich history, tradition and tens of thousands of Air Cadet graduates, you are truly in for the ‘flight of your life.’
Air Cadets is a program geared to youth between the ages of 12 and 18. While the ‘Air’ in our program will give you the excitement of flying a glider or airplane, we have plenty of other fun, rewarding a
nd challenging opportunities just waiting for your participation. Successful Air Cadets have graduated and moved on to take leadership roles in many fields of business and across society. Did you know that Chris Hadfield, heading up the space station, started as an Air Cadet? So did Marc Garneau, first Canadian in outer space, and Maryse Carmichael, current Commanding Officer of the Snowbirds and the first woman in this role. The list of successful Canadians who began as Air Cadets is long and continues to fill up each year, from Canadian country singer George Canyon to former Prime Minister Joe Clark. Nearly all of them attribute much of their personal values and skills to their involvement as a young person in the Air Cadet program. Today, in Ontario, there are more than 8,000 girls and boys involved in all levels of Air Cadets. Some are in year 1 and learning basics of flight, joining their first band or participating in a biathlon competition. Others are in their final year and leading other Cadets as a Warrant Officer, can fly their own plane, and are being interviewed to participate in an International Exchange program in Australia. Our Air Cadets appreciate many of the experiences and skills they have been able to gain during their career. Especially true is the broad exposure to new challenges that each Cadet gets to face and experience, both as a member of a Squadron and as an individual Cadet. Learning new skills, becoming a leader of others, helping their community and gaining invaluable skills and discipline are some of the hallmark results that excite our Cadets and attract new youth every year.
