Empowering Youth Through Leadership and Adventure
Welcome to
878 Banff/Canmore Royal Canadian Air Cadet Squadron
Join us in a journey of growth, leadership, friendship, and community service for Bow Valley youth.
The Air Cadet program is FREE to join
Who We Are
The 878 Banff/Canmore Squadron is dedicated to fostering leadership, citizenship, and personal development among youth aged 12-18 in the Bow Valley region. Our mission is to provide a supportive environment where cadets can thrive through engaging activities and community involvement, all at no cost to families.
The Cadet Program provides opportunities for youth to gain valuable knowledge and skills that build confidence and help pave the way in a transition to adulthood. Cadets engage in varied and unique experiences, while developing competencies in leadership, citizenship, and physical and mental fitness. Offering positive youth development programs, sea, land and air cadet corps and squadrons are in communities across Canada.
Sea Cadets develop seamanship skills, including navigation and how to sail. Army Cadets build outdoor and leadership skills through participation in expedition activities such as hiking, climbing, kayaking, orienteering. Air Cadets gain aviation related skills through activities that include flying, gliding, and studies in aerospace.
The Cadet Program strives to offer Cadets a safe, welcoming, and supportive program environment where all feel respected, valued, included and able to achieve their full potential.
1. Invite all Canadian youth – The Cadet Programs are open to youth aged 12 to 18 that are Canadian citizens or are authorized to reside in Canada. Programs are inclusive and celebrate the rich diversity within Canadian society.
2. Instill Canadian Military Values – Cadet Program training, direction, decision making, and behaviour are guided by ethics and values of the Canadian military. Values include loyalty, integrity, courage, inclusion, excellence and accountability. Cadets embrace and embody these values.
3. Develop Citizenship, Leadership, and Fitness – The Cadet Program offers cadets opportunities to develop skills and knowledge that: enable them to positively contribute as leaders in Canadian society, instill a lifelong appreciation of health and fitness, and support successful transitions to adulthood.
4. Balance Safety and Challenge – The Cadet Program offers activities and events that are challenging and safe. Cadets and their parents/guardians can be confident that the adults leading the program are focused on the development of youth and invested in their health and welfare.
5. Leave a positive lifelong impact – Whether cadets stay with the program for many years or for just a few weeks, it is hoped that their experiences were impactful, educational and are regarded (or remembered) as positive.
Cadets are supervised, administered, and trained by Cadet Instructor Cadre officers and non-commissioned members of a sub-component of the Reserve Force of the Canadian Armed Forces who, by the terms of their enrolment or transfer, have undertaken as their primary duty the safety, supervision, administration, and training of Cadets..
Did you know...
Figures received regularly from Transport Canada and the Airline Pilots Association, Canada reveal that one out of every five Private Pilots in Canada is an ex-Air Cadet and 67%of the Commercial/Airline Pilots flying today got their start in Air Cadets. No statistics are available on how many Air Cadets join the Canadian Forces; however, it is estimated that 28% of the flying, technical and administrative members serving in the Air Force today had some form of Air Cadet training. Even more important, the failure rate among ex-Air Cadets joining the service is almost nil.
What We Offer
Leadership Training
Our program focuses on developing leadership skills through hands-on experiences and mentorship.
Aviation Education
Cadets have the opportunity to learn about aviation, including flight theory and practical experiences.
Outdoor Adventures
We offer exciting outdoor activities that promote teamwork, resilience, and a love for nature.
Life Skills
Public speaking opportunities and competitions, first-aid and CPR courses, and physical fitness
Summer Camps
Summer Camps can range from 2-7 weeks and can include opportunities like glider and power licensing, musician, physical fitness instructor, international exchange and more.
Scholarships
Multiple scholarships are available to cadets who wish to obtain their pilot’s license or when entering post-secondary studies.
Organization Structure
The 878 Banff / Canmore Royal Canadian Air Cadet Squadron is run as a partnership between the Department of National Defense Cadet / Junior Ranger program and a local sponsorship committee which is part of the Air Cadet League of Alberta. Through the generous support of the Canadian Government and vigorous fundraising efforts by our sponsorship committee joining and participating in our squadron free of charge. Please click the links below for more information about each of our supporting organizations.
Department of National Defence
Air Cadet training, uniforms, and adult leadership is provided for by the Government of Canada’s Department of National Defence.
Local Sponsorship Committee - Air Cadet League of Canada
The 878 Banff / Canmore Royal Canadian Air Cadet Squadron Sponsorship Committee is a registered charitable organization in the Province of Alberta and is associated with the Air Cadet League of Canada and the Alberta division. The sponshorship committee provides all funding to support the training oppertunities provided including building rental, headquaters operational costs, transportation expenses and other funding not provided by DND.
Support Our Program
