Return from Summer Camp

All cadets will be returning from summer camp this Friday. Bus times are approximate as all of our cadets will be passing through traffic in Toronto, which has been known to delay the buses. All returning cadets who are on the buses can be picked up at the Niagara Region Headquarters on St. Davids Road where cadets were dropped off. Scheduled arrival times are below:
Blackdown (Borden) - 11:55 a.m.
Trenton                     - 11:40 a.m.
Connaught                 - 3:45 p.m.

General Training Summer Camp Bus

For all cadets going to the GT summer camp, the bus will depart the Niagara Region Headquarters (2201 St. Davids Road) on Sunday Aug 3 at 8:20. You need to arrive 30 minutes prior (7:50) and wear your summer dress uniform. This includes your pants, dress shirt, wedge and boots. You should take off your epaulets and leave them at home. You will need your health card, offer of participation, behavior contract and cadet transportation form with you.

Summer Camp Information

We have been getting some questions regarding summer camp information. We have provided below some links that will hopefully help find the information you are looking for. All documents can be found on the CCO Extranet. You can sign up with your own email address.

Once logged in, click on Central -> CSTC Joining Instructions and click on the specific joining instructions for where your cadet will be attending. These documents will give you directions on clothing, what to pack, etc.

You will be called with the travel arrangements prior to the camp. When you arrive to get on the bus you will need:

1) Health Card
2) Cadet Transportation Form
3) Signed Offer of Participation
4) Cadet Conduct Form
5) Any prescription medications/eye glasses

In general our cadets are being picked up at the Niagara Region Headquarters on St. Davids Road.

Annual Ceremonial Review

This coming Saturday is the Squadron's Annual Review. This is one of the most important events of the training year as the squadron will be inspected by a guest Reviewing Officer (LCol Suzanne Bailey) as well as our Detchment. It is also an opportunity for everyone to recognize the accomplishments of our cadets over the past training year and so we invite parents, grandparents, friends and family to attend. This also means that cadets should dedicate time this week to washing and pressing their uniform, ensuring badges are sewn on properly, polishing boots, etc.

Annual Practice
There will be an ACR practice this Thursday May 29 from 2030 h (6:30 pm) to 2100 h (9:00 pm). All cadets should be in attendance. Please bring with you your boots, tunic and pants.

The Day Of
On Saturday May 31 all cadets are to arrive at the cadet hall by 0800 h. We will use these hours for extra practice, to set up the armoury and static displays and to fix any last minute uniform problems. Lunch will be provided. All cadets are to arrive in appropriate civilian clothes and MUST bring the following items when they arrive and all items MUST have your name in them so you don't lose them (Use this as a checklist):

• Boots
• Grey Socks
• Pants
• Wedge
• Tie
• Tunic
• Dress Shirt
• Epaulets 
• Name tag
• 1812 Pin
• (Whites for those cadets that wear them)

Also bring a bag or label your civilian clothes so they don't get misplaced.

After Annual
There will be NO CADETS on Monday June 2, 2014. The following Monday (June 9) there will be a BBQ and summer camp information night. All cadets and parents of cadets who are going to be attending (or are on standby) for summer camp need to come this night to get the necessary information. The BBQ will start at 6:30 pm and family is also invited to the BBQ.

MESS DINNER

A reminder that this coming Monday night will be our Mess Dinner. Mess Dinners are a long standing military tradition. You can see some of the tradition here. We will celebrate a Mess Dinner in as much the traditional way as possible.

This is a formal dining evening. The dress will be full uniform without a wedge or name tags. In the past many senior cadets have substituted their blue shirt and cadet tie for a white dress shirt and bow tie. This is acceptable for the Mess Dinner.

Please remember your manners and dinner etiquette and plan on enjoying yourself.

NAG Weekend Kit List

The weekend of 2-4 May 2014 the staff and cadets of 23 Sqn will be joining those of Niagara Air Group for our Annual Field Training Exercise. The exercise is being held at Valens Conservation area. This camp will focus on mandatory survival training including construction of shelters, building fires, search and rescue techniques and orienteering.

Cadets are to meet at the Optimist Hall on May 2, 2014 at 4:30 pm (1630hrs) with the following items on the kit list. Cadets can be picked up on Sunday May 4 at 5:00pm (1700hrs) at the Optimist Hall.

PERSONAL CLOTHING AND EQUIPMENT LIST

1.                             All cadets should be in possession of the following clothing and equipment in order to ensure a safe, productive, and enjoyable training exercise:

a.       T-shirts                                                                                                   (3)

b.       Pants (NO denim[JEANS], preferably quickdry)                           (2)

c.        Sweater or sweatshirt                                                                          (2)

d.       Underwear                                                                                            (3)

e.        Socks (at least 1 pr wool)                                                                   (3)

f.        Raincoat AND Rainpants                                                                  (1)

g.        Windbreaker/Warm Jacket                                                               (1)

h.       Boots (Water proof/Hiking)                                                              (1)

i.         Gloves AND Toque                                                                            

j.         Ground Sheet                                                                                       (1)

k.       Sleeping Bag, Pillow                                                                         (1)

l.         Air Mattress SINGLE PERSON (optional)                                      (1)

m.     Extra Blanket (if weather to be cold)                                              (1)

n.       Face Towel (no shower facilities available)                                    (1)

o.       Flashlight                                                                                               (1)

p.       Sunglasses                                                                                             (1)

q.       Large Water Bottle                                                                              (1)

r.         Travel cup (for hot drinks – Styrofoam will not be provided     (1)

s.        Toiletries and Personal Hygiene Items

t.         ONTARIO HEALTH CARD

u.       Prescription Medication (ONLY ENOUGH FOR WEEKEND)

2.                             Do NOT bring any of the following:

a.       Expensive jewellery

b.       Money

c.        Electronics

d.       Two Way Radios ( walkie talkies)

e.        Knives

f.        Food of any kind

g.        Non-prescription medication ( Advil, Tylenol)

NOTE: If you bring it, YOU carry it!!!!!!! 

3.             a) Cadets MAY wear surplus Canadian olive drab combat clothing with rank if it is properly worn.

                b) Cadets are NOT to wear CADPAT clothing

                c) Cadets may wear other surplus combat clothing if they wish but cannot wear rank slip-ons

This exercise will be conducted in all weather. Please ensure that clothing is warm enough and dry enough, and that sleeping bags are adequate for the conditions. If they are not it is your responsibility to bring extra blankets. A general rule of thumb is to plan for the worst and hope for the best.

If there are any questions please follow your chain of command and contact your Flight Commander or Deputy Flight Commander.

Important Events in April

TAG DAY
Tag Day is our most important fundraiser of the year. This is when the Squadron will bring in funds for the majority of the following years operating budget. Therefore, attendance is MANDATORY. If you cannot attend for some reason you MUST speak with the CO.

For those cadets that volunteered for the early tagging at the Legion Fish Fry's a reminder that you should be at your respective Legion (Br. 24-Church St., 350-Port Dalhousie, 138-Merriton) for the times you signed up for in your full dress uniform.

For ALL cadets the official Tag Day info is:
Date: Saturday April 19, 2014
Time: 7:30 am - 5:00 pm (0730-1700 hrs)
Dress: Full Uniform + Parka

Breakfast and lunch will be provided to all cadets. A reminder to dress for the weather. You will be outside most of the day, so wear extra layers under your uniform and wear your issued parka.

Easter Monday
There will be NO cadets on Monday April 21, 2014. We will see you back the following week.

NAG Meeting
For those cadets holding staff positions at the upcoming NAG Field Exercise in May, there will be an information meeting held on Thursday April 24 at 7:00 pm (1900 hrs) at the headquarters of 809 Sqn (the former Vineland Public School). Dress is civilian clothing.

Battle of St. Julien Parade
This is an important event for those that support us in the Armoury and is therefore important that we have maximum attendance.
Date: Saturday 26 April 2014
Time: 12:30-2:30 pm
Location: Lake St. Armoury
Dress: Full Dress Uniform

Bowl-a-thon
This is a fun event hosted by the sponsoring committee to raise funds for the Squadron, so find some sponsors and come bowl a few rounds.
Date: Sunday 27 April 2014
Time: 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Location: Merriton Community Centre
Dress: Civilian clothes

Airport Tour
In order to cover one of the performance objectives for the Level 1 program, all Level 1 cadets will be travelling to the Niagara District Airport during the normal cadet training night on 28 April 2014. They will be touring the airport and flight service facilities. Cadets are to meet at the Optimist Hall and will be transported to and from the airport.