Cadet Training: Summer Activities

Summer camps are a very large part of the Air Cadet Program. Cadets are held at Canadian Forces Bases and other locations across Canada, giving cadets the opportunity to experience various training courses. The courses are divided in familiarization, introductory specialty, and advanced specialty courses. The training courses can be of two, three, or six weeks long. Cadets are paid while on course and meals, housing, and transportation are free to participants.

Click on any of the blue bars to see the different courses that fall under each specific category.

Familiarization Courses

Introduces new cadets to the summer training center environment and program. The training provided in these courses supplements the training the cadets receive at the squadron

General Training Course (GTC): This is a two-week course that introduces first-year cadets to the cadet summer training centre environment and program, as well as supplementing the training the cadet receives at the squadron. The cadets attend classes in citizenship, aviation, and drill; as well as participating in citizenship tours and participating in team sports.

Military Band - Basic Musician Course (MB – BMC): This course allows cadets to develop music proficiency so that they are prepared to support their squadron's band and related music activities. Cadets also gain experience in other areas of the summer training centre environment and program.

Pipes & Drums – Basic Musician Course (PD – BMC): This course is identical to the Military Band – Basic Musician Course except that it provides music training for cadets of a squadron with a pipes and drums band.

Introductory Specialty Courses

Deliver training directed more specifically towards certain specialties. All of these are three weeks long, and most are available to cadets who have completed Level 2 or above.

Basic Leadership Course (BLC): This course provides cadets with training in the basics of followership, teamwork, and leadership through the development of self-confidence, knowledge and skills, and by providing opportunities for practical application.

Basic Survival Course (BSC): This course provides cadets with the basics of survival training. Cadets are given the opportunity to learn about the various aspects of a survival situation.

Basic Aviation Course (BAC): This course provides cadets with the basics of aviation training. Cadets will learn the knowledge and skills through practical applications.

Basic Fitness and Sports Course (BFSC): This course provides cadets with the training about fitness and recreational sports. Cadets will also promote ethical sports conduct, sportsmanship, and teamwork. The cadets will be provided with the basic theoretical, technical and practical skills required to assist in the delivery of the Squadron fitness and recreational sports training program.

Basic Aviation Technology & Aerospace Course (BATAC): This course is designed to teach cadets on aerospace, airport operations, aircraft manufacturing and maintenance, and inspire them to pursue specialist training in some or all of the subject areas. Cadets will learn through a variety of hands-on practical activities.

Military Band – Intermediate Musician Course (MB – IMC): This course is designed to raise each cadet's musical skills to the next music proficiency level. This course also provides cadets with instruction on instrument maintenance and repair, as well as instructional techniques relating to music

Pipes & Drums – Intermediate Musician Course (PD – IMC): This course is identical to the Military Band – Intermediate Musician Course that it provides music training for cadets of a squadron with a pipes and drums band.

Advanced Courses

Deliver training within a certain specialty. These courses range from three to seven weeks long, and most are available to cadets who have completed level three or above. The application process for some of these courses is more extensive.

Glider Pilot Scholarship (GPS): This course is an intensive program of ground school and in-flight training. Cadets who successfully complete their flight test and Transport Canada (TC) written exam will qualify for a Glider Pilot License and be awarded Air Cadet Glider Pilot Wings. Cadets who want to apply must not hold any other pilot's license; must be 16; must be physically fit; must pass a Canadian Civil Aviation Medical Exam; must be in Level 3 and grade 9; must complete ground school at the squadron and receive a passing grade on the qualifying exam. There are also height and weight restrictions.

Power Pilot Scholarship (PPS): This course is an intensive program of ground school and in-flight pilot training. Cadets who successfully complete their flight test and TC written exam wil qualify for a Private Pilot License and be awarded Air Cadet Pilot Wings. Cadets who want to apply must be 17 years of age; must be physically fit; must pass a Canadian Civil Aviation Medical Exam; must be in Level 4 and grade 10; must complete ground school at the squadron and receive a passing grade on the qualifying exam.

Advanced Aviation Course (AAC):This course is for cadets in Level 3 and above. It teaches the skills and knowledge required for cadets to be an instructor and team leader for aviation activities within the Air Cadet program.

Leadership and Ceremonial Instructor Course (LCIC): This course is designed to teach senior cadets the skills and knowledge to become a specialist instructor for drill and ceremonial activities. Cadets are exposed to a variety of drill and ceremonial opportunities.

Survival Instructor Course (SIC): The course provides cadets with the skills and knowledge required for them to be an instructor and team leader for aircrew survival activities within the Air Cadet program. The cadets will learn advanced theory and technical skills required to assist the delivery of survival training at their local squadron.

Fitness and Sports Instructor Course (FSIC): This course teaches cadets the skills and knowledge required for them to take on the role of a fitness and sports instructor and a team leader for the fitness and sports activities conducted at the squadron.

Air Rifle Marksmanship Instructor Course (ARMIC): This course allows cadets to develop individual air rifle marksmanship and summer biathlon skills, while reinforcing and further developing leadership and instructional techniques to prepare the cadets to help support these activities at their squadron. Cadets will learn the necessary theoretical, technical, and practical skills required to monitor and instruct other cadets during marksmanship activities.

Advanced Aviation Technology Course – Airport Operations (AATC – AO): This course introduces cadets to airport operations. Cadets will learn theoretical ideas and reinforce them through practical hands-on learning.

Advanced Aviation Technology Course – Aircraft Maintenance (AATC – AM): This course introduces cadets to aircraft construction and maintenance. Cadets will learn theoretical ideas and reinforce them through practical hands-on learning.

Advanced Aerospace Course (AASC): This course will provide cadets with the skills and knowledge required to be an instructor and team leader for aerospace activities within the Air Cadet program. Cadets will have many opportunities for practical applications within the format of a simulated space mission project. Cadets who apply for this course should show interest and ability for math and physics.

Military Band – Levels 4 & 5 (ML45C): This course is designed to raise each cadet's musical skills to the next music proficiency level. This course also provides cadets with instruction on instrument maintenance and repair, as well as instructional techniques relating to music.

Pipes & Drums – Levels 4 & 5 (PD45C): This course is identical to the Military Band – Intermediate Musician Course that it provides music training for cadets of a squadron with a pipes and drums band

Exchanges

Allows senior cadets to travel outside of Canada and be ambassadors of the Air Cadet program.

International Air Cadet Exchange (IACE): This provides senior cadets with the opportunity to visit Australia, Belgium, France, Hong Kong, Japan, Netherlands, Philippines, Singapore, Turkey, New Zealand, Britain, or the United States, as an ambassador of the Royal Canadian Air Cadets. Cades who apply for this must be 17 years of age; must be medically and physically fit; must be in Level 5; and must be able to gain entry into the destination country.

Oshkosh Trip: This trip to Oshkosh, Wisconsin in the United States provides cadets an opportunity to participate in various aspects of aviation. Cadets will visit one of the largest air shows in the world and other aviation museums; as well they will take part in some flights as a passenger.

Staff

Provides senior cadets with the opportunity for paid employment in various roles in various cadet summer training centres. The application process for each summer training centre is different.