CSTC and Courses

Cadet Summer Training Centers (CSTC) and Courses

Summer Training Centres

There are 8 Army Cadet Summer Training Centres across Canada and they are:

Summer Training Courses

Summer Training Courses are as follows:

General Trainng (2 weeks) - The General Training Course provides cadets who have recently joined the Cadet Program an introductory summer training experience where they will participate in a variety of activities from each specialty, to include Drill and Ceremonial, Music, Marksmanship, and Expedition. Cadets applying for this course should have successfully completed Green Star.

Basic Expedition (3 weeks) - The Basic Expedition course provides cadets with the fundamentals of expedition training, building upon what has been taught in Red Star of the Corps program. Activities include navigation, a five-day expedition and adventure training. Cadets applying for this course should be 13–14 years of age, and have successfully completed Red Star.

Basic Drill & Ceremonial (3 weeks) - The Basic Drill and Ceremonial (Army) Course provides cadets an opportunity to build on drill learned at the corps, participate in advanced drill and ceremonial activities, and to develop leadership skills and knowledge; while performing the role of a team leader. Activities include commanding a squad on parade, drill with arms, flag drill, and marksmanship training. Cadets applying for this course should be 13–14 years of age, and have successfully completed Red Star.

Basic Fitness & Sports (3 Weeks) - The Basic Fitness and Sports course provides cadets an opportunity to participate in fitness and sports activities, and to develop knowledge and skills on how to perform the duties of a Fitness and Sports Assistant. Activities include following a personal fitness routine, leading warm-up and cool-down sessions, assisting with the Cadet Fitness Assessment and assisting with recreational sports. Cadets applying for this course should be 13–14 years of age, and have successfully completed Phase Two / Red Star / Proficiency Level Two.

Basic Marksman (3 Weeks) - The Basic Marksman Course provides cadets an opportunity to develop marksmanship skills and subject matter knowledge. Activities include team-building, marksmanship and adventure training. Cadets applying for this course should be 13–14 years of age, and have successfully completed Red Star.

Basic Military Band (3 Weeks) - The Military Band – Basic Musician Course provides cadets an opportunity to participate in music training and military band activities, to prepare them to support corps / squadron music programs. Activities include maintaining a primary instrument, music theory, demonstrating rhythm skills, executing drill as a member of a band, and performing ensemble music as a member of a band. Cadets applying for this course should be 13–14 years of age, and have successfully completed Phase Two / Red Star / Proficiency Level Two.

Basic Pipes and Drums (P&D) (3 Weeks) - The Pipe Band – Basic Musician Course provides cadets an opportunity to participate in music training and pipe band activities, to prepare them to support corps / squadron music programs. Activities include highland dance, maintaining a primary instrument, music theory, demonstrating rhythm skills, executing drill as a member of a band, and performing ensemble music as a member of a band. Cadets applying for this course should be 13–14 years of age, and have successfully completed Phase Two / Red Star / Proficiency Level Two.

Fullbore Marksman Phase I (6 Weeks) (Connaught CSTC Only) - The Full-bore Marksman Phase 1 Course provides cadets an opportunity to develop as a specialist with the attitude, skills and subject matter knowledge required to participate in competitive full-bore marksmanship as an individual competitor. Activities include first aid, biathlon, team development and marksmanship. Cadets applying for this course should be 14–15 years of age, have achieved the Basic Marksman qualification and have successfully completed Silver Star.

Intermediate Military Band (6 Weeks) - The Military Band – Intermediate Musician Course provides cadets an opportunity to participate in music training and military band activities, to prepare them to support corps / squadron music programs. Activities include first aid, maintaining a primary instrument, music theory, executing drill as a member of a band, and performing ensemble music as a member of a band. Cadets applying for this course should have obtained a Military Band Music Level Basic, be 14–15 years of age, and have successfully completed Phase Three / Silver Star / Proficiency

Intermediate Pipes and Drums (P&D) (6 Weeks) - The Pipe Band – Basic Musician Course provides cadets an opportunity to participate in music training and pipe band activities, to prepare them to support corps / squadron music programs. Activities include highland dance, maintaining a primary instrument, music theory, demonstrating rhythm skills, executing drill as a member of a band, and performing ensemble music as a member of a band. Cadets applying for this course should be 13–14 years of age, and have successfully completed Phase Two / Red Star / Proficiency Level Two.

Expedition Instructor (EI) (6 Weeks) - The Expedition Instructor course provides cadets with the knowledge and skills to perform the duties of a specialist with the skills and subject matter knowledge required to be an instructor and team leader for Expedition activities within the Army cadet program. Activities include first aid, navigation, an 18-day expedition, adventure training, leadership and instructional technique. Cadets applying for this course should be 14–15 years of age, have achieved a minimum of the Bronze Level of the Cadet Fitness Assessment Incentive Level, and have successfully completed Silver Star.

Drill and Ceremonial Instructor (DCI) (6 Weeks) - The Drill and Ceremonial Instructor (Army) Course provides cadets an opportunity to develop the skills and knowledge to become a Drill and Ceremonial Instructor. Activities include advanced drill, instructional techniques and leadership. Cadets applying for this course should be 14–15 years of age, and have successfully completed Silver Star.

Fullbore Marksman Phase II (7 Weeks) (Connaught CSTC Only) - The Full-bore Marksman Phase 2 Course provides cadets an opportunity to develop as a specialist with the attitude, skills and subject matter knowledge required to participate in competitive full-bore marksmanship as a member of a competitive team. Activities include advanced marksmanship and adventure training. Cadets applying for this course should be 15–16 years of age, have achieved the Full-bore Marksman Phase 1 qualification and have successfully completed Gold Star.

Fitness and Sports Instructor (FSI) (6 Weeks) - The Fitness and Sports Instructor Course provides cadets an opportunity to develop as a fitness and sports specialist with the skills and subject matter knowledge required to perform the role of a Fitness and Sports Instructor and a team leader for fitness and sports activities conducted at the corps / squadron during regionally directed activities and/or as a staff cadet at a CSTC. Activities include personal fitness and healthy living, conducting the Cadet Fitness Assessment, and leading recreational sports. Cadets applying for this course should be 15–16 years of age, and have successfully completed Phase Three / Silver Star / Proficiency Level Three.

Air Rifle Marksmanship Instructor (ARMI) (6 Weeks) - The Air Rifle Marksmanship Instructor Course provides cadets an opportunity to develop marksmanship skills and knowledge, and to instruct and lead air rifle marksmanship activities. Activities include first aid, advanced marksmanship, instructional techniques and coaching. Cadets applying for this course should be 15–16 years of age, and have successfully completed Phase Three / Silver Star / Proficiency Level Three.

Advanced Training

Once a cadet has completed an Instructor-level course he or she may apply for advanced the training to be appointed as a staff cadet at a summer training centre (CSTC) or engage in the advanced training course or exchange, such as:

Advanced Military Band (6 Weeks) - Course provides cadets an opportunity to participate in advanced music training and military band activities, to prepare them to lead and instruct corps’ music programs. Activities include music theory, executing drill as a member of a band, performing ensemble music as a member of a band, leadership, and instructional technique. Cadets applying for this course should have obtained a Military Band Music Level Basic, be 15–16 years of age, and have successfully completed Phase Four / Gold Star / Proficiency Level Four.

Advanced Pipes and Drums (P&D) (6 Weeks) - The Pipe Band – Advanced Musician Course provides cadets an opportunity to participate in advanced music training and pipe band activities, to prepare them to lead and instruct corps’ music programs. Activities include highland dance, music theory, executing drill as a member of a band, performing ensemble music as a member of a band, leadership, and instructional technique. Cadets applying for this course should have obtained a Music Proficiency Level – Pipes and Drums Level Three, be 15–16 years of age, and have successfully completed Phase Four / Gold Star / Proficiency Level Four.

Leadership & Challenge - The Leadership and Challenge Course provides cadets an opportunity to develop, through the use of unique advanced adventure training leadership and challenge development activities, as a self-aware outdoor leader with the skills and subject matter knowledge required to act as an activity leader at a Cadet Corps, Expedition Centre or Cadet Summer Training Centre (CSTC). Activities include wilderness first aid, outdoor leadership, and adventure activities such as biking, kayaking, horseback riding or mountaineering. Cadets applying for this course should be 15–16 years of age, have achieved a minimum of the Bronze Level of the Cadet Fitness Assessment Incentive Level, and have successfully completed Gold Star.

Outward Bound Scotland is a six-week excursion that includes pre-course training at Connaught Ranges, Ottawa, Ontario and a trip to Scotland. Cadets will develop leadership skills, be introduced to the British Army Cadet Training program, and participate in cultural activities. Some activities the cadets will participate in include obstacle course runs, precision shooting, and visits to cultural and historical sites. Cadets applying for this exchange must be 16 years old before July 1 of the year of the exchange, must successfully complete Gold Star, and must achieve the Bronze incentive level in the Cadet Fitness Assessment.

Outward Bound Wales is a six-week excursion that includes pre-course training at Connaught Ranges, Ottawa, Ontario and a trip to Wales. Cadets will develop leadership skills, be introduced to the British Army Cadet Training program, and participate in cultural activities. Some activities the cadets will participate in include obstacle course runs, precision shooting, and visits to cultural and historical sites such as the Llechwedd Slate Caves. Cadets applying for this exchange must be 16 years old before July 1 of the year of the exchange, must successfully complete Gold Star, and must achieve the Bronze incentive level in the Cadet Fitness Assessment.

Canadian Forces Basic Parachutist Course -

The Canadian Forces Basic Parachutist Course provides cadets an opportunity to develop the skills and knowledge to become a Canadian Forces Basic Paratrooper. Cadets applying for this course must be certified by a CF medical officer as being physically and mentally fit, be 16 years if age by 1 July of the year of training and shall not have reached 19 years of age during the course, have no participation limitations which may preclude them from participating in intense level physical training activities in remote locations and in high altitudes, have achieved the minimum fitness requisite of 31 sit-ups and 7 chin-ups and a 1600 metre run in under 7:30 minutes, and have successfully completed Gold Star.

Maple Leaf Exchange - The Maple Leaf England Exchange is a six-week excursion that includes pre-course training at Connaught Ranges, Ottawa, Ontario and a trip to England. Cadets will develop leadership skills, be introduced to the British Army Cadet Training Program, and participate in cultural activities. Some of the activities that Cadets will participate in include obstacle course runs, precision shooting, and visits to cultural and historical sites such as Windsor Castle. Cadets applying for this exchange must be 16 years old before July 1 of the year of the exchange, must successfully complete Gold Star, and must achieve the Bronze incentive level in the Cadet Fitness Assessment.

National Rifle Team 9 Weeks (Bisley) - The Maple Leaf England Exchange is a six-week excursion that includes pre-course training at Connaught Ranges, Ottawa, Ontario and a trip to England. Cadets will develop leadership skills, be introduced to the British Army Cadet Training Program, and participate in cultural activities. Some of the activities that Cadets will participate in include obstacle course runs, precision shooting, and visits to cultural and historical sites such as Windsor Castle. Cadets applying for this exchange must be 16 years old before July 1 of the year of the exchange, must successfully complete Gold Star, and must achieve the Bronze incentive level in the Cadet Fitness Assessment.

Other various exchanges under the ACE (Army Cadet Exchange) Program