2250 Royal Canadian Army Cadets – Bracebridge, Ontario

TROOP SCOOP

Here we are again at the end of the training season and I sit here and ponder how we all do it. We only parade for 9 proper months but there is Christmas, March break and some other long weekends in there and of course you can’t forget the weather here in Muskoka. Through all this we have accomplished lots. There is the teaching of the new cadets that joined us in the fall, continued learning for those that returned. Exercises, fund raising events, our November the 11th vigil and parade, other parades, sports nights and competitions in biathlon, shooting and drill. Now we are getting ready to send you forth for the summer. Some to camps, some not. Each will come back with more learning, whether from the cadet system or from life experience. It is a cycle that happens every year. We always try to end the year on a high note so that you leave looking forward to coming back in the fall and letting your friends know what you did was fun, informative and useful. This fall we will be celebrating 20 years of 2250 being in existence. I think that we have provided hundreds of youth the opportunity to learn new skills and we look forward to doing this for another 20 plus years.

Commander’s Corner

Inside This Issue

Commander’s Corner 1 Messages from Your Liaison Officers 2 Marksmanship Team 2013-2014 3 Cadets& Current Ranking & Award Winners 4 Upcoming Events 5 Support Committee Chair Message etc.. 6 Various Pictures throughout the year 7 Drill Team & Orienteering 8 Biathlon Team 9 Year End Photo of Cadet Core 10

Use the time off during the summer to reflect on how much you have grown and learned. Also, reflect on how we did this as a team and in an impressively small amount of time. Charge your batteries, you will need them as we will be back at it in the fall and, stealing from our navy brethren, “full steam ahead”.

Please see “Cadets and Current Rankings” on page 4

Written by: Captain Harley

2013-2014 Year End Summary

Welcome to this issue of the 2250 Royal Canadian Army Cadets Newsletter.

Messages from your Liaison Officers

Page 2 2013-2014 Year End Summary

JACK ELLIS  CADET LIAISON OFFICER, BRACEBRIDGE ROYAL CANADIAN LEGION BRANCH 161          

As your Legion Liaison Officer, I wish to congratulate all the Officers, former Officers, Cadets and former Cadets as we celebrate 20 years since the formation of 2250 The Muskoka Pioneers Army Cadet Corps.  

I have been your Liaison Officer for the last 18 years and am very pleased with the way in which the Corps has developed these young citizens of Bracebridge and the surrounding areas.  I have witnessed Cadets reach their full potential, and some have become Officers of the Corps.  

Part of my job is to oversee the fundraising which has made it possible to purchase equipment not supplied by the Department of National Defence.  The Cadets have also enjoyed many extracurricular activities and trips, such as White Water Rafting, visiting the War Museum in Ottawa, cruising on the Maid of the Mist at Niagara Falls, and visiting Fort York to name just a few.  We have had an excellent Support Committee over the years and I have worked with every Commanding Officer since the inception of the Core.  Well done Officers, Cadets and Support Committee and my sincere congratulations. 

Jack Ellis Liaison Officer The Royal Canadian Legion Branch 161 

 

Please see “Year End Photo of Cadets” on page 10

Never give up on something that you can't go a day without thinking about. - Unknown

DAVE KINGSHOTT CADET LIAISON OFFICER, GRAVENHURST ROYAL CANADIAN LEGION BRANCH 302           

The training year has come to an end the annual inspection, year end celebration and summer camp are all great to look forward to. Congratulations and have a great summer.   Dave Kingshott  Liaison Officer The Royal Canadian Legion Branch 302  

 

Page 32013-2014 Year End Summary

Marksmanship Team

Please see “Biathlon Team” on page 9

OCDT J.GOHEEN, Marksmanship Instructor

Marksmanship, a year in review It’s been a year of learning and building for the Marksmanship program of 2250. To start off I would like to extend congratulations to C.W.O Pepper, W.O Vivian, Sgt Prentice, Cpl Badger and Cpl Pepper; this year’s members of the team for a hard fought silver medal at the zone shoot. A special congratulation goes out to Cpl Badger for bringing home gold for top junior. As the team knows first hand, this year’s competition was far more challenging than it has been in the past with the introduction of the “standing shoot”. From a coaches perspective I find this very exciting as next year I intend to incorporate the standing position into our regular Monday night practices. On behalf of the corps, I would also like to congratulate 2Lt Pepper on successfully completing her “Range Safety Officers” course this year. With two R.S.O qualified officers on staff we can now begin marksmanship right at the beginning of the training year and maintain consistent practices throughout the season. Next year promises to bring a fun and challenging marksmanship program and I hope to see everyone out to get some rounds down range, some qualifications up and keep 3133 up in Kearney on their toes, because next year we’re taking back our gold!

RANK  SURNAME  FIRST NAME CHIEF WARRANT OFFICER  

PEPPER   LOGAN  

WARRANT OFFICER  

CLEVELAND  TRYSTAN 

LONGHURST   DEREK 

PRENTICE  KURTIS 

RAWN   LEONARD 

VIVIAN   KEINAN 

WILSON   AMOS  

SERGEANT  

CLARK   BRANDON  

FORSHAW  SHANNON  

ROWLAND  STEPHEN  

WESTERN   MOIRA  

MASTER CORPORAL   

BADGER  HUNTER 

BELAIRE  JESSE  

CLARK   KIRA  

CONAGHAN   AARON  

FORSHAW  SHAWN  

PEPPER   JADE  

WESTERN   MACKENZIE 

CORPORAL 

GEROW  TRINITY  

ROBINSON   MEGHAN  

SKINNER  INDIGO  

STEELE   BROOKE  

LANCE CORPORAL 

KACSMAR  COLTON  

REID   NOLAN  

Page 4 2013-2014 Year End SummaryCadets and Current Ranking (As of May 28, 2014)

Please see “Commanders Corner” on page 1

AWARDS AT ANNUAL

**BILL PORTER MEMORIAL AWARD

**TOP GREEN STAR CADET

CORPORAL BROOKE STEELE

**TOP RED STAR CADET

MASTER CORPORAL JADE PEPPER

** TOP SILVER STAR CADET

SERGEANT STEPHEN ROWLAND

** TOP GOLD STAR CADET

WARRANT OFFICER KURTIS PRENTICE

TOP GUN MARKSMANSHIP AWARD

MASTER CORPORAL HUNTER BADGER

PRIVATE ALEX BALL MEMORIAL AWARD “DRILL PROFICIENCY”

WARRANT OFFICER DEREK LONGHURST

SERGEANT LAWRENCE A. RUTTAN

MEMORIAL AWARD “MOST IMPROVED CADET”

SERGEANT BRANDON CLARK

A/B ARTHUR HAMMOND MEMORIAL AWARD “ESPRIT D’CORPS”

WARRANT OFFICER KEINAN VIVIAN

COMMANDING OFFICERS AWARD “TOP OVERALL CADET”

WARRANT OFFICER KEINAN VIVIAN

ROYAL CANADIAN LEGION “CADET MEDAL OF EXCELLENCE”

WARRANT OFFICER AMOS WILSON

Please note:

Awards marked ** are presented to the Cadet with the highest points in their respective star level and who demonstrate personal excellence and commitment to the values of the Corps. This is done so as to be fair and not for or against any one Cadet in particular. All points obtained by Cadets have been verified by the Commanding Officer of 2250 The Muskoka Pioneers Royal Canadian Army Cadets.

2013-2014 Year End Summary

Page 5

KIT SHOP ITEMS:

HAT: Price for Cadets: $12.00 each Price for Others: $15.00 each

SWEATER: Price for Cadets: $20.00 each Price for Others: $25.00 each HOODED SWEATER:

Price for Cadets: $35.00 Price for Others: $40.00 **See A Support Committee Member to purchase any of the items. Please see “Message from Support Committee Chair” on page 6

Upcoming Events

September Cadets Resume ParadeSeptember Bracebridge Fall Fair ParadeSeptember Gold ZetSeptember Senior Leadership WeekendSeptember NOA Orienteering CompetitionOctober Fall Exercise October Tag Day Bracebridge/GravenhurstNovember Regional Orienteering CompetitionNovember Poppy Campaign November Cenotaph Vigil November Bracebridge & Gravenhurst

Remembrance Day CeremoniesNovember Gravenhurst Santa Claus ParadeNovember Biathlon Team Practice RangeDecember Bracebridge Legion DinnerDecember Gravenhurst Legion DinnerDecember Bracebridge Santa Claus ParadeDecember Gravenhurst Legion DinnerDecember Cadet Christmas DinnerJanuary NOA Biathlon Competition (SSM)February Winter Exercise February NOA Marksmanship CompetitionMay NOA Band & Drill Competition (NB)April Regional Marksmanship CompetitionApril Bracebridge Legion DinnerApril Gravenhurst Legion DinnerApril Spring Green-Red FTX May Bracebridge Legion Flag DayMay National Marksmanship CompetitionMay Tag Day Bracebridge/GravenhurstMay Silver ZetJune Annual Inspection June Year End Trip

Canteen

Support Committee Volunteers

2013-2014 Year End Summary Page 6

It seems as if we just enjoyed our welcome back BBQ in September, and yet here we are with another training year coming to a close.     I am so proud to be able to tell people that I am connected to this Corps, and that I can be part of a team that works so hard to ensure that the Cadets are able to enjoy new experiences and have a lot of fun.  

The Support Committee has had another successful year.  We have served 3 spaghetti dinners, had bake sales, helped with tag days and ordered pizza several times.  The funds that we raise go to financing trips and purchasing new sports equipment for the Corps.  This year we were able to purchase brand new and complete sets of ski equipment for the biathlon team.  We are also working hard on the planning of the Muskoka Pioneers 20th Anniversary Celebration.A huge thank you to all who helped out with fundraising activities this year.  Your hard work and dedication to these Cadets is absolutely wonderful. The Support Committee couldn’t function without the help of our volunteers and parents.  

We will need more volunteers to help us in the coming year.  If you are interested in what the Support Committee does, please feel free to sit in on our meetings.  Although we are always looking for people to join the Support Committee, you do not need to be a member to help out.  Can you provide transportation for the Cadets on Tag Days?  Are you able to help out with a fundraiser dinner?  Have a new fundraiser idea?  Please feel free to approach me any time to ask questions or make suggestions, or best yet, volunteer! Being a part of this amazing group of people, and knowing we are helping to make Cadets a great experience for our young men and women is one of the most fulfilling things I have ever done.  I look forward to seeing everyone at the 20th Anniversary Celebration and when the new Cadet year begins in September.  I hope that the Cadets who are attending camp have a great time at Summer Training, and that everyone has a safe and happy summer.

Written by: Lisa VivianMessage from Support Committee Chair

The Support Committee runs a Canteen at 20:00 hours at break time on Wednesdays for the Cadets at BPS.  The money that is collected is used to support the activities that the Cadets take part in throughout the year.  

Chocolate Bars  $1.00 each   Pop      $1.00 each     

Please see “Various Pictures” on page 7

Chair:      Mrs. Lisa Vivian  Treasurer:    Ms. Kimberly Redwood  Secretary:    Mrs. Barb Longhurst  Media Relations:  Mrs. Rose Jackson  Liaison Officer:    Mr. Jack Ellis, Royal Canadian Legion Branch 161 Liaison Officer:    Mr. Dave Kingshott, Royal Canadian Legion Branch 302 Volunteer:   Mrs. Jane Allin  Volunteer:    Mrs. Colleen Western  Volunteer:    Mrs. Kim Conaghan     

    

STAFF    COMMANDING OFFICER: HARLEY, ROBERT  CAPTAIN   SUPPLY OFFICER/DCO: HASTINGS, PAUL  CAPTAIN   OPERATIONS OFFICER: PAGE, JENNIFER  2ND LIEUTENANT    ADMINISTRATION OFFICER: PEPPER, LAURA  2ND LIEUTENANT      TRAINING OFFICER: GOHEEN, JEFF  OFFICER CADET 

   CIVILIAN VOLUNTEER: CLARK, ROB      

    

2013-2014 Year End Summary Page 7

' When you feel like giving up, remember why you held on for so long in the first place ' - Unknown

Please see “Marksmanship Team” on page 3

Various Pictures throughout the year

Orienteering September Orienteering is a family of sports that requires navigational skills using a map and compass to navigate from point to point in diverse and usually unfamiliar terrain, and normally moving at speed. Participants are given a topographical map, usually a specially prepared orienteering map, which they use to find control points.  Originally a training exercise in land navigation for military officers, orienteering has developed many variations. Among these, the oldest and the most popular is foot orienteering.  Cadet Orienteering takes place every fall in Sudbury for NOA qualification and CFB Borden for regional’s.  Interested Cadets should tell us now they would like to participate. We have room for team and individual participants. 

Always be a first-rate version of yourself, instead of a second-rate version of somebody else. - Judy Garland

Congratulations to all cadets for your outstanding efforts this training year! Many of you joined cadets for the first time this year, and at the beginning you may have been a bit intimidated by everyone and everything. By now, you are getting comfortable, making new friends, learning new skills and hopefully having fun! For our seasoned cadets, you have honed your skills, tried out for teams, participated in regional competitions, achieved new qualifications and challenged yourself to try new things. As I write this, our Drill Team is heading for North Bay for the Regional Band & Drill Competition. They have worked very hard to prepare for this event, and I am confident that they will “do us proud”. From Orienteering and FTX weekends, to Marksmanship, Biathlon and Drill teams we have something for everyone. Oh, did I mention camp opportunities? There is so much more to experience next year…so stick around and I hope to see everyone on parade in September.

Bravo Zulu to all the Cadets! 2Lt Laura Pepper

Drill Team 

Drill Team & Orienteering

Page 8 2013-2014 Year End Summary

2013-2014 Year End Summary

Please see “Messages from Your Liaison Officers” on page 2

Biathlon Team

Page 9

Never tell me the sky's the limit when there are footprints on the moon - Unknown

Captain Paul Hastings, Biathlon Instructor Biathlon is a winter sport that combines cross-country skiing and rifle shooting. A variant is summer biathlon, which combines cross-country running with rifle shooting.

2250 has had a Cadet Biathlon Team for several seasons. We train in Bracebridge, Huntsville and Sunridge on weekends during December and January. It is fun and challenging sports/skill activity. The Cadet competition is the final weekend in January at SSM Rod and Gun Club. This year the cadets were unable to compete. Even though we trained and travelled to SSM the competition was cancelled due to severe weather that weekend. Thanks to everyone who trained and participated.

Page 10 2013-2014 Year End Summary