More than 3,000 teenagers from around the country are taking over CFB Borden this summer, participating in a special training course that teaches them about leadership, staying focused, and conquering their fears.
They are our future military leaders. And this summer they are going through it all at Canada's largest military training facility at Borden.
The cadets are on the ground, in the air, and in many cases somewhere in between.
At just 15, Jessika Hardy of Brighten already knows she wants to join the military when she's old enough.
“I find it helps you to get to know people and get closer and find out how to work with people together,” she says. “Like I'm terrified of heights but last night conquered that because of my friends that help me.”
The Blackdown Cadet Training Centre doesn't accept just anyone. These kids are the best of the best cadets around.
“We expect standards high standards,” says Lt.-Col. Jack Kelly. “When I say Canada's best, I have great expectations for these young people.”
Kelly is the commanding officer.
“We notice a great difference in our young people. When they first get here until they graduate the level of confidence goes from down here to up here – I mean, amazing results we have in this program.”
The focus of the program is to teach the cadets leadership and how to get over their fears. And it’s not easy.
Working as a team and doing things outside your comfort zone are a big part of this program.
The programs leaders are quick to say this isn’t a summer camp – it’s a training course for military life.
And Bruno Monardo of Tottenham is all in.
“We all help each other in any way that we can so we just help each other,” he says. “If a buddy is having trouble fixing a bed and you know how to, we help with that. Everybody is struggling, trying to do this level of the obstacle course, you're a buddy and will help them with that.”
Cadets are purposely put in situations they haven’t experienced before. Even zip lining can teach people how to depend on others.
Charlotte Coxhead is almost done the program. Tonight she is marching into a new chapter of her life because of the obstacles she has been able to overcome here.
“Four abseiling, I’ve never done it before and at first I was kind of scared but then once I was out there and I got off the ledge, I was really proud of myself for doing it and I was really confident,” she says.
Getting into the summer program is a challenge all to its self. About 10,000 kids apply and just one third gets selected. Everyone at Blackdown will take their experiences back to their home units and act as leaders for other young cadets.
