On June 5, the 858 Air Cadet Skookumchuk Squadron had their 23rd Annual Ceremonial Review (ACR) at the Holy Family Catholic Church in West Sechelt.
This was the year-end event to celebrate all of the cadets’ accomplishments, present special rewards and promotions and allow our air cadets to display what they have learned over the past training year (static displays) to their families and assembled guests. It was also an opportunity to say thank you to all of the amazing individuals who volunteer their time and to several organizations and businesses in our community that make the Sunshine Coast’s Air Cadet Organization possible.
At this event, we were delighted to welcome Sechelt Mayor Darnelda Siegers, Gibsons Mayor Bill Beamish, Sechelt Councillor Eric Scott, LCmd – reviewing officer – Jeff Baxter, master of ceremonies Sara Douglas as well as the BCPC Greater Vancouver Wing Chair, Lydia Ting, who traveled from Vancouver to attend. Many friends and family also joined us for this event, including several former cadets who previously aged out, supporting the squadron.
Despite the effects of COVID, the squadron has grown to about 30 cadets, ages 12 to 18. Cadets is an amazing youth program with many great activities that continue year-round (range, marksmanship, ground school learning to fly planes, effective speaking, special weekend training activities, regular training meetings as well summer camps.) Some of the cadets will soon embark on their journeys to attend various summer camps throughout the province in July and August. Some of our senior cadets have received the opportunity to become “staff cadets” at these camps, allowing them to grow even more as leaders in our community and teach cadets from other units across B.C.!
We would like to thank the Gibson’s Royal Canadian Legion Branch 109, Sechelt Seniors Centre, Rockwood Pavillion, Tyee Storage, Sechelt Regional and the Holy Family Catholic Church for their support in making our in-person meetings possible and keeping our uniforms safely stored. We would like to also thank BCPC, RCSU, Elphinstone Flying Club, Airspan Helicopters, Lions Club, Rotary Club, Town of Gibsons and District of Sechelt for their commitment and support. Finally, we send our thanks to all of the individuals who have dedicated their time to our squadron, including (but not limited to) the parent committee, cadet staff, RCSU, BCPC and many other people in our community.
We look forward to another year starting in September and welcome any new youth between the ages of 12 and 18 to visit or join our squadron!
