Hamilton Ontario Cadets Summer Camps

Army Cadet Training Center Blackdown (2003)

Ontario's regional army cadet training center established in 1984 following the close out of ACSTC Ipperwash. During early July to the middle of August this cadet camp, located West of Barrie, ON, trains approximately 2000 cadets.

Training Bonus:  All cadets receiving summer camp training receive a $60.00 per week training bonus.  This bulk of this bonus is paid at the end of the summer.  We suggest cadets leave home with some money to allow them to buy snacks and required items, such as a company t-shirt, polish, etc…  A secure bank is available to the cadets on the camp.  The camp does not assume any responsibility for money lost due to carelessness.  The Military Police will investigate cases where money is stolen from a secure location, ie. barracks box, however, the chances of retrieving those funds is small.  No bank machine is available on the camp.

Transportation / Rations / Equipment:  Transportation to and from the camp is provided by DND as are rations and most required equipment.  Please read the joining instructions for your camp carefully for further details.

Year I - Familiarization Training

All Basic Army Cadet Courses are held at Army Cadet Summer Training Centre (ACSTC) Blackdown located on Canadian Forces Base Borden, near Barrie Ontario with the exception of the Basic Cadet Marksman Course which is located at ACSTC Connaught in Ottawa.  Cadets receive basic familiarization with living in a camp environment and spend two days in the field.  Cadets are expected to learn how to maintain their own bed space and take care of their daily hygiene requirements.  A review of the practical material in the Green Star Program is the focus of the training given during this course.  Cadets completing the course will receive their Green Star Level if not achieved at the cadet corps previously.  Courses run for 2 or 3 weeks.

Basic Army Cadet (BAC) (2 Week)

Recommended for the average cadet.

Basic Army Cadet - Marksman (3 Week)

Designed for cadets who have shown strength in marksmanship at the local level.  Cadets will be required to submit targets as part of their application process for this course.  Targets will be shot using the pellet rifle as listed in the attached instructions.  Cadets wishing to apply for this course must attend that target shooting.

Basic Army Cadet - Band (3 Week)

Designed for cadets with an interest in Military Marching Band Music.  We encourage cadets to attend the Pipes and Drums Course as the cadets can continue that training at the cadet corps.

Basic Army Cadet - Pipes and Drums (3 Week)

Designed for cadets who are members of the corps Pipes and Drums Band.

Year 2 - NCO Qualifying

Candidates must have successfully completed a familiarization course or received a waiver of that course in order to attend.  All Army Cadet Leader Courses are designed to develop the leadership abilities of the junior cadet leader.  Development of practical skills and basic leadership task procedure is taught.  Cadets spend about a week in the field during this course.  All courses with the exception of ACL Marksman are held at ACSTC Blackdown.  Cadets completing a NCO Qualification Course are qualified to the rank of Sergeant at the cadet corps.

Army Cadet Leader (ACL)

Recommended for the average cadet.

Army Cadet Leader - Marksman

This course, run out of our Summer Training Centre at Connaught (Ottawa) works on developing the cadet as a marksman as well as covering some of the basic ACL course material.  Cadets accepted for this course are normally drawn from the previous years BAC Marksman Course high achievers.  Cadets may be able to move from the BAC course to ACL Marksman provided they show strong marksmanship abilities.  As with BAC Marksman targets are required to be submitted which will be shot on a scheduled date.

Army Cadet Leader - Band

This course builds on the military band music skills learned in the previous year.

Army Cadet Leader - Pipes and Drums

This course builds on the highland traditional music skills learned in the previous year.  Cadets who are members of the corps Pipes and drums are encouraged to attend this course.

Year 3 - WO Qualifying

All Cadet Leader Instructor Courses are similar in that they are designed to develop leadership skills and teaching abilities.  Courses spend about a week in the field, slightly more in the case of adventure.  All courses with the exception of the ACLI Marksman course are held at ACSTC Blackdown.  All ACLI courses qualify the cadet to the rank of Chief Warrant Officer.

Army Cadet Leader Instructor (ACLI) - Drill and Ceremonial

Cadets on the ACLI Drill and Ceremonial course spend about half of their course working on their parade square manner and developing their abilities as drill instructors. 

Army Cadet Leader Instructor - Marksman

This course is designed to work on the marksmanship abilities of the individual with the goal of attending the Bisley shooting competition as part of the Canadian Team in the following year.  Candidates are chosen from the previous years ACL - Marksman Course.  This course is held at Connaught (Ottawa).

Army Cadet Leader Instructor – Adventure Training

This course is designed for the cadet who enjoys the outdoors.  Cadets are taught leadership and self-discipline through use of adventure training.  This is a physically demanding course so potential candidates should plan to be in shape prior to attending.

Army Cadet Leader Instructor - Smallbore

This course is designed to develop the skills to act as an effective coach on a range.  Candidates cover rifle theory and act as coaches for other companies of cadets as part of their training.

Army Cadet Leader Instructor - Band

This course builds on previous band courses.

Army Cadet Leader Instructor - Pipes and Drums

This course builds of previous Pipes and Drums courses.  Recommended for cadets who are members of the corps Pipes and Drums.

Year 4 - Advanced Training

All Advanced Training Courses require that the candidate have completed a WO Qualifying Course and have achieved their National Star Certification in the year of application.  Advanced Training Course Candidates are selected from the top achievers in the cadet system.  Exchanges and courses are conducted across Canada and Europe.  Candidates are expected to be in good physical condition prior to attending these camps.  The Area Cadet Office prior to forwarding the CF 51 will test physical conditioning at a test held during the March Break.

Army Cadet Leadership and Challenge

Held near Banff, Alberta this course is a physically challenging course that takes advantage of its location near Banff National Park.  Various outdoors activities in the park are undertaken to challenge the cadets to achieve beyond their expectations.

Army Cadet Advanced Band

Held at Blackdown the candidate spends most of the summer developing their musical abilities.

Army Cadet Advanced Pipes and Drums

Held at Blackdown the candidate spends most of the summer developing their musical abilities.

National Army Cadet Pipes and Drums

Held at Banff Cadet Camp the course emphasizes pipe band performances at parades etc...

Army Cadet Parachutist

This course held at Connaught and Trenton qualifies the cadet as a Basic Military Parachutist.  This is a very physically demanding course.  Candidates MUST be in top physical condition prior to attending this course.  2814 sent a cadet on this course in 1998.

Army Cadet Bisley Team

Cadets compete in national / international largebore rifle competitions and are introduced to the British Army Cadet training program.  This course is conducted out of Connaught and England.  Prerequisite is ACLI Marksman.

Outward Bound Exchange (USA)

Designed to develop leadership skills.  This course is conducted out of Connaught and in the United States.

Outward Bound Exchange (Scotland)

Similar to OB England this course emphasizes leadership British style.  Expect treks and other physically demanding activities.  Conducted out of Connaught and Scotland.  2814 Sent a cadet on this exchange in 1999.

Maple Leaf Exchange (England)

Designed to develop leadership skills and introduce the cadet to the British Cadet Program.  This course is conducted out of Connaught and England.  2814 Sent a cadet on this exchange in 2001.

Federal Republic of Germany Exchange

Designed to familiarize the cadet with the training objectives of the German Army and to participate in cultural activities.  Conducted out of Connaught and Germany.  2814 sent a cadet on this exchange in 1999.

Finland / Italy / Sweden / Austria / Norway Exchange

This is a three week touring exchange where cadets visit the country they have been selected for and primarily tour the country.  This exchanges was first run in 1999 and we have sent one cadet on this exchange!

Year 5 - Staff

Staff cadets are chosen to staff our various regional and national summer training centres.  Cadets are paid based on pay rates published in the Summer Camp Staff Vacancies Directory.  This job requires the cadet be responsible and well disciplined.  These cadets are roll models for the younger cadets.  To receive a corps level recommendation, the cadet must demonstrate their leadership ability and maturity.  Most openings are available at ACSTC Blackdown, however openings are available at all cadet camps.  This provides cadets with 7 weeks of employment. 2814 sent two cadets as staff in 2000.