Jeff Colbourne
Northern News Services

NNSL (Jul 27/98) - Cadets from Iqaluit, Hay River, Fort Smith, Inuvik, Gjoa Haven, Fort Simpson and Rankin Inlet are among 220 Northern cadets in Whitehorse for a summer training camp.

As of last Thursday things were going well for the NWT contingent.

"It's lots of fun so far. I'm looking forward to doing the canoeing trip and the patrolling exercise," said cadet Sara-Ann Gardlund, 13, of Inuvik.

Gardlund, who is continuing her training from last summer at camp, is excited about seeing her friends from Inuvik arrive early next month for their first crack at cadet camp.

"I looking forward to calling the twinkies," she said.

On Thursday, Protestant chaplin Capt. David Rodriguez returned to camp following a period with the NWT cadets. "They are all having a great time so far," he said.

A common problem some cadets have had during their time at camp is homesickness, he said. But to get them through he tries to remind them that they're not alone.

"Once they get into the activities the homesickness tends to disappear and they start making friends," he said.

During the six weeks of training, which began July 6 and end Aug. 13, some cadets will experience life in camp and life outside their community for the first time. For others the training camp is a continuation of training they received at their home corps or squadron.

Cadets will participate in leadership training, mountaineering, wilderness survival, orienteering and watermanship skills. They will also participate in numerous parades and community events over the summer, including a Freedom of the City Parade on August 7.

The camp, now in its 26th year, is under the command of Major Lance Koschzeck and is the only permanent cadet camp north of 60. Training is conducted by officers of the Cadet Instructors Cadre -- a part of the Canadian Forces' reserves -- staff cadets, civilian instructors and regular and reserve members from across Canada.

The Canadian cadet movement has taken off in the last couple of years in the NWT and Yukon. It teaches young people the attributes of good citizenship, leadership, teamwork and physical fitness. The cadet program currently consists of 56,000 members located in 1,078 sea, land and air units in cities and towns all across Canada. A total of 300 cadets will come through the camp this summer.