Activities
Get involved and enrich your cadet experience! The Cadet Training Program includes many activities aimed at fostering cadet skills and proficiencies. These events support our community partners, boost our fundraising efforts and enhance group camaraderie.
As activities are confirmed, they are added to the squadron calendar. Please refer to the calendar for permission forms, arrival and departure times, and other important details.*
*Participation in these activities may qualify towards Ontario Secondary School Community Service Hours. Please speak to squadron staff prior to the activity to confirm.
Annual Ceremonial Review
The Annual Ceremonial Review (ACR) occurs in June and concludes the training year. The formal parade includes displays from the squadron teams and award presentations. The primary function of the ACR is to give cadets the chance to showcase the skills they have acquired over the year to a crowd of family, friends and dignitaries.
Aviation Days
Aviation days are full-day, offsite activities that engage cadets in learning opportunities to help them further understand aviation principles and industries. In past years, cadets have been to aviation museums, flown drone aircraft, toured airport hangars and towers, and practiced flight simulation.
CO’s Parade
The CO’s Parade occurs once a month, and allows the Commanding Officer to review the squadron and present awards and promotions to notable cadets. These events are open to family and friends.
Field Training Exercise (FTX)
“If it ain’t raining then it ain’t field training.” Field Training Exercises are full-weekend activities that occur twice a year during the fall and spring. Cadets experience training in remote campsites while conducting team-building activities and participating in survival training. From tying knots to creating temporary shelters, cadets are exposed to a variety of survival tactics.
Gliding
Gliding Familiarization Flights allow cadets to experience flight in an aircraft with no engine. This activity is a great primer for cadets who are interested in becoming pilots. Gliding is conducted at CFB Borden and requires favourable weather conditions. Interested in testing the capabilities of the glider? Ask your pilot for the Rollercoaster!
Mess Dinner
The squadron hosts a Mess Dinner once per year. This is a formal, traditional military-style dinner with officers, cadets, family and friends. Cadets receive one ticket as part of their annual program fee, and are encouraged to sell tickets to others who might like to join.
Power Flying
Power Flying Familiarization is conducted twice a year and provides cadets with the chance to fly from Billy Bishop Airport (CYTZ) over downtown Toronto in groups of three (plus a pilot!) for one hour. Spots are limited, but cadets who have shown dedication in tagging and overall attendance can sign up for the opportunity to fly in a Cessna 172 aircraft.
Remembrance Day Ceremony
We are proud to be invited to participate in the Sunnybrook Veterans Centre Remembrance Day Ceremony. This is a local day of observance to recognize fallen military members. It is a great honour to be chosen for this activity that allows us all to reflect on the sacrifice of the Canadian Armed Forces, in past and recent history.
Sunnybrook Parade
The Sunnybrook Parades give cadets a chance to connect with local veterans at the Sunnybrook Hospital Veterans Centre (K Wing). Cadets parade at the Centre and afterwards have a chance to talk with and learn from our veterans.
Tagging
Biannual tagging (fall and spring) allows the squadron to raise the money it needs to conduct year-round training activities. Five shifts are available each season for cadets to politely ask members of the community to provide a small donation in exchange for a “Support Cadets” tag. Cadets are expected to tag a minimum of three shifts per season to aid in meeting our fundraising goals.
Toronto Santa Claus Parade
In mid-November, cadets volunteer at the Toronto Santa Claus Parade selling red noses to spectators. It’s a fun way for cadets to represent 246 while helping to raise funds for the Toronto Santa Claus Charity.
