COLD LAKE— A group of young cadets returned to the Cold Lake Cadet Training Centre last week with a little more confidence, plenty of stories and, understandably, a serious appetite.

The cadets had just completed a survival solo experience that put them in the field on their own for a couple of days with very limited contact with others.

The challenge gave cadets the opportunity to put their training into practice, relying on their own outdoor skills, judgment and decision-making while testing their resilience away from the comforts of camp.

Bonnyville-Cold Lake-St. Paul MLA and Alberta Military Liaison Scott Cyr was at the training centre as the cadets marched back in.

“Watching them march back into the training centre was impressive,” Cyr said.

“Completing an experience like this requires more than knowing how to survive outdoors. It requires confidence in your training, the ability to make decisions independently, perseverance when things become difficult, and the determination to keep going when there is nobody standing beside you telling you what to do.”

Hungry, ready for a shower — and willing to do it again

Despite spending days testing themselves in the field, Cyr said the returning cadets were in good spirits.

They were hungry and looking forward to a shower, but the sense of accomplishment was hard to miss.

Cyr asked the cadets a fairly simple question after their return: would they do it again?

The answer was an enthusiastic yes.

“I think that says a great deal about both the experience and what they took away from it,” he said.

The survival experience is about more than learning outdoor skills. It gives young people an opportunity to step outside their comfort zones, trust their training and discover what they are capable of accomplishing independently.

A summer of training in Cold Lake

Cyr’s visit also included time with leadership and staff at the Cold Lake Cadet Training Centre and a closer look at some of the training being delivered this summer.

The centre provides hands-on experiences designed to develop teamwork, citizenship, physical fitness, leadership and practical skills.

Cyr recognized Commanding Officer Lieutenant-Colonel T. Marchinko, Deputy Commanding Officer Major K. Winterhalt and Chief Warrant Officer S. Baker, along with the officers, adult staff, instructors and staff cadets involved in delivering the summer program.

“The time and mentorship they invest in these young Canadians make a lasting difference,” Cyr said.

Another connection to Cold Lake’s military community

For Cold Lake, the training centre is another piece of the community’s longstanding relationship with Canada’s military.

Home to 4 Wing Cold Lake and a large population of Canadian Armed Forces members and military families, that connection is woven deeply into the community.

Cyr said having the Cadet Training Centre in Cold Lake provides another opportunity for the region to support young Canadians as they develop skills that can follow them well beyond the program.

“The Cadet Program helps young Canadians develop leadership, citizenship, confidence and physical fitness, qualities that will serve them well wherever their future takes them,” he said.

And for the cadets who completed their solo survival challenge, there was one final message waiting when they returned to camp.

“Well done and welcome back,” Cyr said. “You earned that march back into camp and should be proud of yourselves.”