First Aid Course

There will be a first aid course running Saturday Feb 25th-Sunday Feb 26th. 
This course is being offered free of charge to the cadets.   Cadets who would like to attend but have not yet signed up may do so by emailing the squadron at 638air@cadets.gc.ca

2012 Wake-A-Thon March 3 & 4

Wake-A-Thon is coming up fast. Hope everyone is working hard collecting pledges in order to win one of the awesome prizes!!

Permission forms are due back February 22.

If you require additional pledge sheets or a permission form please see CI McGinley.

Aren't we getting tech savy...

Part of being a leader is being a good follower.  Did you know that you can follow this blog?  Sign up to receive emails when new posts are added.  Simply enter your email address in the "follow by email" section on the right hand side of this page (underneath the squadron crest).  Once you have confirmed your email you will be notified each day that a new post has been added.

2012 Canada Day Poster Challenge

The 2012 Canada Day Poster Challenge is underway!

You are invited to share your thoughts about what Canada means to you by creating an original poster that reflects this year's theme:

The years 2012–2014 mark the 200th anniversary of the War of 1812, an important chapter in our history. In Upper and Lower Canada (Ontario and Quebec), the British, with the help of First Nations allies and Canadians, succeeded in protecting their territory against the American invasion. These historic events led to the establishment of our country and 200 years of peace between Canada and the United States.

Prizes
VISIT TO THE MONTRÉAL AND NIAGARA REGIONS OFFERED BY PARKS CANADA

In the week of July 9, 2012, each of the 13 provincial and territorial winners and a parent or guardian will have the opportunity to visit some of the most important national historic sites connected to the War of 1812. They will meet their fellow artists and enjoy activities planned especially for them. They will visit the Richelieu Valley and the Niagara Peninsula and walk in the footsteps of some of the heroes and heroines that helped make Canada what it is today. They will have the chance to discover forts, historic encampments, and tall ships, as well as to take part in re-enactments and personal tours conducted by Parks Canada's interpreters.

NATIONAL WINNER GRAND PRIZE

Prize offered by Encounters with Canada, a program of the Historica-Dominion Institute.

OTHER PRIZES

The national winner, as well as the 2nd and 3rd place finalists, will receive a laptop computer complete with software and a carrying case. Prizes will also be offered to the 52 age category winners by the proud sponsors of the 2012 Poster Challenge.

CELEBRATE CANADA SOUVENIR

Everyone who participates in the Canada Day Poster Challenge will receive a Celebrate Canada souvenir.

EXHIBITION OF THE ARTWORKS

From June to September 2012, the original artwork of the 13 provincial and territorial finalists will be on display at the Canadian Children’s Museum located in the Canadian Museum of Civilization in Gatineau, Quebec.

For more information please visit www.posterchallenge.pch.gc.ca.

Shoulder Flashes

There are still some cadets out there that do not have shoulder flashes sewn onto their uniform. It should be worn on both sleeves of the tunic only. The top of the badge is to be 2 cm below the shoulder seam.

WO2 Merit Boards

A merit review board will be held on Wednesday February 15th for all cadets eligible for promotion to the rank of Warrant Officer Second Class.  In order to be eligible to participate, cadets must have held the rank of Flight Sergeant for a minimum of 6 months.  Dress for the interviews is C-2.

Effective Speaking Competition 2012

Foreward
Each of us, by the very biology of our design as living beings, is alone. We are firmly contained inside our skins, physically separated in feeling and thought from all others. But we also have the tremendous gift of speech, and with it, the ability to rapidly communicate complex ideas. It is to promote this facility for the spoken word that the Royal Canadian Air Cadets have a competition for effective speaking.

Effective speaking requires the following things: well-formulated thought, understanding of language, strength of voice, and confidence of idea. Throughout life, your ability to convey your thoughts and feelings to others will determine how well you connect with the rest of humanity.

As an Air Cadet, you have already started on a path that can lead higher than you can imagine. The necessity to be able to pass on what you've seen and done, to express your own life experience to others, is key.

I congratulate you on your choices in life, and your initiative in entering this Competition. I wish you the very best of success.
Ad Astra!
Colonel Chris Hadfield

The basics about the competition
The effective speaking competition involves creating and delivering a five minute prepared speech and a two minute impromptu speech.  The competition is open to cadets of all levels who have a desire to improve their skills.  There will be weekly meetings from 6:00-6:35 on Wednesdays for participants beginning Wednesday Feb 15th.  There will be a local competition held on March 7th for all interested cadets and a regional competition in North Bay on March 31st for the two advancing cadets.

More information will be provided to the interested  cadets at the first meeting. Here are this year's topics:
1. The British Commonwealth Air Training Plan and What It Means to Canadian Aviation Today


2. Using Cadet Leadership to Improve Your Community Environment

3. Canada’s Contribution to the International Space Program

4. 70 Years of Air Cadets

5. My Greatest Air Cadet Achievement

6. Why Is Giving Back to the Community Important?

7. Which Leadership Skills Acquired in the Air Cadet Program Have Affected  My Life and Future?

8. Social Media – Its Impact on Air Cadets

Drill Team Practice

For All Levels
Monday Night’s 1830-2030

Competition is coming up in May!!!!

Drill team is an awesome way to work towards perfecting your drill skills along with having fun and spending time with your friends. This year we plan to take 2 teams to competition, Drill without Arms (no rifles) and Drill with Arms (with rifles). Drill team is a fun way to learn drill movements while carrying a rifle. Remember everyone that puts an honest effort into drill team is eligible to participate in the competitive team trip at the end of the cadet year. There will be a surprise trip planned for all those that participate in Effective Speaking, Biathlon Team, Orienteering Team, Marksmanship Team and Drill Team.
Hope to see you there!!!!

Snow-Fun at Calabogie

638 Algonquin Squadron will be taking to the slopes at Calabogie Peaks on 18th February for a day of downhill skiing or snow-boarding. Don’t worry if you’ve never tried these great winter sports before, we’re arranging for lessons for the less experienced, and you don’t even need to own your own equipment since we can rent everything that you need. We’ll be meeting at the Pembroke Armoury at 0700 for a 0715 departure. Issue of equipment and lift tickets will be completed by 0930 when our group lessons will start – after the lesson is over, the cadets can put their new found skills to use with a few hours of free skiing on Calabogie’s many trails. On completion, we’ll be back at the Armoury around 1530. The costs of this activity will vary based upon the equipment owned and the expertise of the cadet. All non-skiers and those with only some experience of skiing or boarding beginners must sign up for a lesson. The costs are as follows:

•        Beginner Lift ticket, beginner lesson, full equipment rental: $35
•        Full  Lift ticket, group lesson, full equipment rental: $40
•        Full  Lift ticket only $20.

These costs include lunch and transport. For further information please contact CV Ashworth