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- Cadets from Navy League #24 Chambly undergoing sailing training. Photo: Bruce Forsyth.
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- Cadets from Navy League #24 Chambly undergoing sailing training. Photo: Bruce Forsyth.
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- Perry Officer 1st Class Ainsley Shaw and Petty Officer 1st Class Schyler Larcina, with awards won by members of Navy League #24 Chambly at an annual training competition. Photo: Bruce Forsyth.
August 2014
During this summer, the cadets with Barrie’s own Navy League #24 Chambly won’t be making the annual complaint that there’s nothing to do. For them, the fun is just beginning.
Established in 1895, the Navy League of Canada currently has a presence in over 260 communities across Canada. The Navy League Cadets is an organization for boys and girls between 9 and 13 years of age, providing an opportunity to develop good mental, moral and physical training; to develop patriotism, good citizenship, a sense of duty, discipline, self-respect, teamwork, friendship and to respect others, in a naval environment suited for young people.
Navy League Cadets attend training once a week and on occasional weekends throughout the school year. Some of the things cadets learn are: communications, marching, boating, first aid and water safety, knot tying and other seamanship skills in a fun and challenging environment. Cadet training should complement their school studies and cadets are expected to make their school work a priority.Cadets also go on camping trips, participate in parades and community events, play sports, go on citizenship tours and other trips.
Uniforms and accouterments are provided without cost. There is also no cost to join the Navy League Cadets, but cadets are expected to participate in occasional local fund-raising efforts, which helps to develop a good work ethic, responsibility and fostering community spirit.
During July and August, Navy League #24 Chambly train at the boathouse on the Barrie waterfront, where they undergo sail training supervised by qualified sailing instructors. During the winter months (September – May), cadets undergo training at the Barrie Armoury.
When Navy League Cadets reach 12 years of age, they have the option of joining the sea cadets. In Barrie, this is Royal Canadian Sea Cadet Corps #53 Barrie, where the sea cadet program expands upon the skills and lessons previously learned. During the summer months, Royal Canadian Sea Cadets attend training camps for anywhere from two to six weeks. Some sea cadets even go on to a career in the Canadian Forces.
For further information about Navy League #24 Chambly or Royal Canadian Sea Cadet Corps #53 Barrie, visit them at the Barrie Armoury at 37 Parkside Drive, by telephone at 705-728-3761 Option 3 (Sea Cadets at the Barrie Armoury) or 705-721-8161 (summer boathouse). E-mail contacts are: nlcc24chambly@hotmail.com for the Navy League and Amy.Lawrence@cadets.gc.ca for the Sea Cadets.
