WHITEHORSE
Rock climbing, rappelling and whitewater rafting were among the activities five Fort Providence Junior Canadian Rangers challenged themselves with last month.

Junior Canadian Ranger Logan Gargan from Fort Providence attempts one of 48 obstacles on the Monkido – an aerial adventure course – during the enhanced training session in Whitehorse for Junior Canadian Rangers last month. - photo courtesy of Cpt. Stephen Watton

The Junior Rangers were among 206 from across the three territories who participated in an enhanced training session in Whitehorse from June 21 to 28. In addition to the adventure-activities, the participants were also kept busy with trapping, woodsmanship and traditional crafts.

"It's to experience activities they would not normally find in their communities," Cpt. Stephen Watton, a unit public affairs representative with First Canadian Ranger Patrol Group, said about the session.

Gathering together Junior Rangers from 35 communities also allows them to make friends with youth from different cultures, he said.

Delaney Vandell said she made lots of new friends during the exercise. As a third-year Junior Ranger, this was the second time Vandell, 15, had been to Whitehorse for the camp.

"I really, really liked laughing with all my friends," she said.

The Monkido, an aerial adventure course with 48 different obstacles, was one of the most popular activities.

"It was really challenging," said Vandell.

She finished all of the obstacles as did Junior Ranger Julien Antoine. Antoine said he liked how the obstacles kept getting higher and higher.

A Junior Ranger for about four years, this was Antoine's first time to the exercise.

"It was awesome. I had a really fun time," he said.

Antoine, 14, particularly liked whitewater rafting – something he'd never done before. He said he enjoyed all the rapids, even though he fell out of the raft a few times.

For Dallas Thom, 13, who was also at the exercise for the first time, swift water rescue was something new. Junior Rangers wore wetsuits and jumped into a river with a swift current where they were rescued by other participants who used throw-rope bags. You learned how to rescue people and what to do to increase your chance of being rescued, said Thom.

Horseback riding and learning about traps, including what types can be used and when, were also highlights for Vandell. She won an espirit de corps award during the exercise. The award was given out to one Junior Ranger in each of the seven platoons.

All of the activities at the exercise were related to the three circles of learning that the Junior Canadian Ranger program is based on – ranger skills, traditional skills and life skills, said Watton.