Check out more recruiting videos created by past cadets at our YouTube channel.

What You Need to Know about Joining Air Cadets

You may register your child for cadets on or after their 12th Birthday however registration for this year is closed.  Check back at this page in late August for registration details for the new cadet year starting in Sept 2024.

If you have questions please contact us by email at 872aviation@cadets.gc.ca

What you will need:

A parent/legal guardian MUST accompany the potential new cadet and remain with them until the registration process is complete. Registration could take up to 90 minutes. If you’re unable to stay that long, please contact us to arrange another date.

Please bring originals & a photocopy of the following:

– current Health insurance card (preference is for OHIP, but private is also acceptable) we do not need a copy of the Health insurance card, we just need to see it to validate the number on the form.
– Birth certificate, Canadian passport or Canadian Government issued ID card

 *If your child has an allergy, two passport size pictures will be required in order to complete the anaphylaxis form along with your doctors signature

Registration Form –  An updated registration form will be posted in August.  Watch for details.

Please note that even if you fill in the application online or email it in you MUST still come with the Cadet’s health card and birth certificate so the ID can be verified.

If you are filling in the application ahead of time please take note of the following:

• • “Health Insurance Plan” for most people (with OHIP) you will check public, provider is OHIP and the Number is your cadets Health Card number and expiry date.
  • Parent #1 & # 2 information – We need an address for each parent. Either:
    • select the checkbox indicating that it is the same as the civic address; or
    • fill in the full address
    • There must be at least one phone number for each parent (it doesn’t matter what type of phone number).
    • Parental access rights for each parent
      • If access is “Limited”, we need documentation
  •  The “applicant” is the child not the parent.

We look forward to seeing you soon!

To join cadets, you must:

• be a legal resident of Canada:
  NOTE: A legal resident of Canada is a Canadian citizen, a landed immigrant, or, the dependent of a person who is lawfully resident in Canada on a temporary basis for the purpose of education or employment.
• be at least 12 years of age, Proof of age:  a birth certificate issued by a Canadian provincial, territorial or federal government agency (bring originals & a photocopy);
• Proof of health insurance: Provincial or Territorial health insurance card.
  Please have these original documents with you when you attend registration.
• not have attained 19 years of age;
• normally be in good physical condition;
• not belong to another corps or squadron; and
• be acceptable to the Commanding Officer (CO) of the cadet corps or squadron.

If you have questions please contact our commanding officer Capt. Emily Ching by email at Emily.Ching@cadets.gc.ca

Do you want to learn more about why you should join cadets?  Check out some recruiting videos created by past cadets at our YouTube channel.

Q – What are the Air Cadets?
A – We are an organization for youth 12 -18 of age. The aims of the cadet program are to develop leadership and citizenship, promote physical fitness and stimulate an interest in the activities of the Canadian Armed Forces.

Q – Why should I join cadets?
A – You will learn about flight (power & gliding), survival, teamwork, leadership and much more. You will make new friends and experience exciting and challenging adventures. Many successful Canadians such as Colonel Chris Hadfield (first Canadian astronaut to take command of the International Space Station), Myriam Bedard, Captain Marc Garneau, Rick Mercer, and actors Timothy Dalton & Jim Carey are all former cadets.

Q – Does this mean I will have to join the Canadian Forces?
A – Absolutely not. This is a civilian organization which fosters youth leadership, physical fitness and active citizenship, with the assistance of Canadian Forces personnel.

Q – What does it cost to join?
A –

• Although there is no official fee to join cadets, parents and cadets are expected to participate in and contribute to fundraising activities throughout the year.  These fundraising efforts are necessary to run the program which is only partially funded by DND.  Our first fundraiser each year is to request a registration donation. This year the amount is $70.  The registration donation helps us to cover the cost of the assessment fee the Squadron Sponsoring Committee is required to pay to the Air Cadet League to help fund the program at the provincial and national levels.  
• The following payment options are available:
  – Cash (exact change would be appreciated)
  – Cheque payable to 872 Kiwanis Kanata Royal Canadian Air Cadet Squadron 
  – E-transfer to 872.treasurer@cadetsair.ca 
  – Credit card 
  
  • Click ‘Donate to 872’ on the front page of the website.

• Please note that if a family cannot make the registration donation in full, they will not be penalized or turned away. However, as the assessment fees are a significant part of the annual operating budget, it is important that we recover that cost.  For any questions, please speak to the Squadron Chairperson or Commanding Officer.

Q – Who instructs the cadets?
A – Senior Cadets instruct junior cadets through weekly classes.  Cadets also learn from members of the Cadet Instructor Cadre (CIC’s), officers who are specially trained to instruct and supervise youth. In some cases civilian instructors and volunteers are called upon to assist.

Q – Can I learn how to fly?
A –Yes, but not everyone gets to learn. The ones who pass medical and written exams qualify for aircraft and glider pilot scholarships. Other advanced training also exists for Senior Leadership, Athletics, Survival, and more.

Q – Do cadets also teach summer courses?
A – Qualified senior cadets get to teach and get paid to be staff cadets. Again small allowances are also given when you attend the summer camps.

Q – Do you have to pay for Camps?
A – No. The meals, travel, lodging and instructions are free.