533 Sabre Squadron
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Frequently Asked Questions
Who can join the cadets?Any male or female between the ages of 12-18 can join. Registration generally takes place in early September with the dates and times being advertised in the local newspapers. Late registrations can be accepted any Thursday until the end of January. To register as a cadet your child must have reached his or her 12th birthday. Back to TopWhat do I need for my child to join?Your child must be accompanied by at least one parent or legal guardian to sign the registration document. We also require a photocopy of their health care card and their birth or baptismal certificate. Back to TopDoes it cost anything to join?Air Cadets is one of the few youth organizations where there are no registration fees. The basic training and Cadet Uniforms are provided at no cost by the Department of National Defense (DND). DND also funds a variety of summer camps and training scholarships. As with many cadet units, our local program is enhanced with extra curricular activities such as extra survival training, sports competitions, flying familiarization, band equipment, local tours, etc. The funding for these and other extra programs must be raised locally. Much of our funding for these extra programs comes from money raised by the Friends of 533 Squadron Society, a parent support society, through bingos, casinos, and other fundraising activities. As the cadets are not permitted to participate in many of these activities, we rely on parent volunteers to provide the necessary manpower for these functions. Without the efforts of this fundraising, we could not provide the high caliber and variety of training experiences that your child will receive. Back to TopWhat sorts of things do cadets do?Cadet training is divided into 2 categories, mandatory training and optional training. Mandatory training takes place primarily on Thursday nights as well as on some weekends. Cadets participate in classroom instruction on a variety of air related subjects, citizenship and leadership development, and squadron drill and marching. Our optional training is quite varied. It includes things like familiarization flying in Cessna 172s and gliders, participating in both open and team sports, drill team competitions, Biathlon training and competition, Duke of Edinburgh fitness, as well as appearances at a variety of community events throughout the year in both St. Albert and Edmonton. These events will be announced periodically throughout the cadet training year. Back to TopDo you have a band?Yes. 533 Squadron has a 25 piece Military marching band. Cadets are not required to read music nor be proficient with any instrument to join. Anyone who is interested in the band only needs to talk to our band officer about joining. While the squadron does have a number of it’s own instruments that cadets can use, cadets that have their own or rented instruments are encouraged to use them. Back to TopI live outside St. Albert, can I still join?Yes you can join the St. Albert squadron as there are no residential boundaries for anyone who wishes to become part of our squadron. At various times we have had cadets in our squadron from Edmonton, Morinville, Legal, Redwater, CFB Edmonton, and Spruce Grove. Back to TopHow does my child get to cadets?533 Squadron meets every Thursday night from September to June at the St. Albert Community Hall, 17 Perron St, starting at 615 pm sharp. Cadets are dismissed around 930 pm. There is no bussing system and for the personal safety of each cadet, we ask that parents make arrangements to drop off and pick up their children by these times. If a problem arises and you are not able to pick your child up on time, please call the squadron 459-7277, and let us know immediately. Squadron staff are not allowed to depart until all cadets are picked up. Back to TopDo I have to drive my child to every cadet activity?Some activities will have transportation provided but only to and from the community hall. There are announcements at the end of every training night detailing upcoming events and requirements for such events. Parents are invited to come into the hall and for the final parade and to listen to the announcements. A summary of the announcements is also published weekly and is available for pick-up in the lobby. Back to TopWhen and where do you meet?We meet every Thursday night from 6:30-9:30 pm at the St. Albert Community Hall located at 17 Perron St. See here for a map to our location. Back to TopIs there an Information Handbook available?Yes, the 15 page 2008 Parent Cadet Handbook (pdf, 89Kb) is available for downloading. Hard copies of the document are also available for pick-up in the squadron's administration office located in the St. Albert Community Hall, 17 Perron St. Is a cadet required to join the military? No, there is no obligation on the part of the cadet to join the military at any time in the future. While many cadets do choose either a military career or an aviation related career after completing their cadet training, others go on to be successful leaders in all walks of life. If you still have questions or would like more information you may phone 780-458-7277 or visit us on our Thursday nights.
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Revised: August 21, 2009 . |
