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Junior Rangers gather for advanced training
Program helps future leaders develop skills, confidence

Darrell Greer
Northern News Services
Published Tuesday, July 17, 2012

WHITEHORSE
A number of Kivalliq youths were among the more than 200 who gathered in Whitehorse, for seven days of challenging activities at the Enhanced Training Session offered by the First Canadian Ranger Patrol Group from June 24 to July 1.

NNSL photo/graphic

Canadian Junior Ranger Wesley Nakoolak, 13, of Coral Harbour descends down a rock face at Mount White Park, Yukon, this past month. - photo courtesy Capt. Steve Watton

Exercise Skookum Ptarmigan IX attracted Canadian Junior Rangers (CJR) from 36 communities across the three territories and Atlin, B.C., concentrating on the three learning circles of traditional, life and Ranger skills.

Capt. Stephen Watton said this year's session was fantastic, with the youths having a great time at the event.

He said the JCR enjoyed the activities held at the gathering, and are already looking forward to the next training session held.

"We conduct a survey on the session to determine, among other things, what the youths consider to be their favourite activities," said Watton.

"According to this year's survey, the favourite activity was the marksmanship program, which consisted of 22 calibre air rifle and skeet shooting.

"Right up there with the marksmanship program was ziplining.

"There were a lot of great screams coming from them as they travelled down a 300-metre line."

Watton said the CJR who attended the session were selected by the adult committee and Canadian Rangers patrol members in each community.

He said the youths were chosen based upon their performance throughout the past training year.

"The Junior Rangers program is, definitely, growing across the North.

"We just opened two new Nunavut patrols in Arviat and Pond Inlet.

"Both of those patrols already have more than 100 members.

"From my understanding, this is the first time Arviat has had the JCR program and, to date, it's doing extremely well."

Watton said the number of JCR has swelled to about 1,600 during the past few years across the North.

He said all requests for a new Junior Rangers patrol, such as the one in Arviat, has to initiate from the community.

"Once they express an interest in starting a JCR patrol, we meet with the community and the local adult Rangers Patrol and move forward from there.

"There's a learning component to every activity, which includes stressing safety in everything we do.

"The skills the JCR learn with ATV and marksmanship can be used out on the land, so they're both transferable skills they can carry with them for the rest of their lives.

"We also work to build their self-esteem and self-confidence -- very important traits for our future leaders -- and some of these JCRs will be our future mayors, teachers and community leaders."

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