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INUVIK - The cadets of Inuvik spent their New Year's holiday training for an upcoming competition.

Second Lieut. Paul MacDonald is in charge of the group. He said their training from Dec. 30 to Jan. 2 was a way for the cadets to have a safe and happy new year.

"It went extremely well," he said. "I'd say it was the most successful FTX (field training exercise) we've ever done."

The group focused on drill, marksmanship and volleyball.

"We didn't get a chance to do the Arctic tent set up, but we're doing that this weekend," he said.

"For everything we had planned, it went well."

The weather wasn't warm enough for the cadets to bring their fun outside for a bonfire.

"It was -35 C outside. We're only covered to be out in -30 C or warmer," said MacDonald.

The lieutenant said he wanted to give the cadets a safe environment for the New Year's holiday and at the same time, wanted them to have some time together.

"Most of them are friends, so it worked out well," he said.

A total of 16 cadets participated in the exercise. MacDonald said the four-day, three-night event had the boys and girls sleeping in different parts of the school.

"The boys slept on the stage and the girls slept in the library," he said.

On the first day, MacDonald said the group started at 1 p.m. On the last day, the cadets wrapped up their session at 5 p.m.

MacDonald said he wants the cadets to be ready for the Skills at Arms program in Whitehorse. The event takes place next Saturday.

"It will give the kids a chance to show off their skills," said MacDonald.

The meet is usually well-attended and will give the Inuvik team with a good opportunity to show their worth to the rest of the North, he said.

MacDonald said the Inuvik team won the competition last year and followed that with another victory in Yellowknife.

"We want to keep that and win again this year," he said.

Leadership tasking is going to be a part of the Whitehorse training.

MacDonald said that component includes setting up an Arctic tent and boiling water.

"It's all a timed event as well," he said.

Looking back, MacDonald said he's happy with the overall performance of everyone who took part in the event.

"There are some kids that are normally kind of sluggish, but they were working hard," he said.