The Royal Canadian 202 Sea Cadets in Williams Lake are starting a new season and invite youth ages 12 to 18 to join them.
Sea cadets learn all sorts of skills and during the summer many of the cadets have attended camps to hone those skills, says Sharon Haynes, Navy League of Canada Chilcotin Branch 202 branch president.
“Their year was full of training,” Haynes says. “Marksmanship, sailing in Kamloops, fundraisers, a Halloween dance, ceremonial Christmas Dinner, and a Bond Lake Breakout retreat are just some of the interesting activities Sea Cadets do,” Haynes said.
Events and activities held on Thursday evenings are provided free of charge.
Part of the sea cadet training involves learning to sail the Whaler, which was part of the exhibits on display during the sea cadets annual ceremonial review in Spirit Square in June, which is a highlight of the Cadet year.
“The review shows the development of the cadets throughout the year,” Haynes says.
“The Sea Cadets provided the audience with manoeuvres that they perform when they are using the Whaler.”
The reviewing officer was Lt. Col. Awtar Singh Rathor (retired) who put in more than 38 years in the Indian Navy and earned 13 different medals during his honourable service, Haynes says.
Numerous awards were presented during the June review.
Chief Petty officer First Class Dana Rook was presented with the Lord Strathcona Medal which recognizes high performance in physical and military training; with the Sue Prestwich Memorial Trophy which is presented to the cadet who displays leadership skills, dress and deportment, has a good knowledge of seamanship and is motivated; and with her four-year service medal.
The Strathcona and service medals were presented by Suzanne Isabelle, vice-president, North District Navy League BCMD.
Lt. Col. Rathor (Retired) presented Rook with the Sue Prestwich Memorial Trophy.
S/Lt. David Frey was presented with the Commanding Officer’s Achievement Award by Cpt. Bob Harker.
This award recognizes personal dedication and commitment that promotes the RCSCC Chilcotin’s goals as a Sea Cadet Corp.
Past-president Fred Van Kuipers was presented with the Distinguished Service Award, by Haynes. This award recognized 15 years of volunteer service with the Navy League of Canada Chilcotin Branch 202.
Numerous other awards were presented as follows: best first year, LS, Magnell; best dressed, MS Parkins; most improved, MS Bazinet; marksmanship, LS Brunsch; attendance, LS Miller and LS Vankuipers; sailing MS Parkins and PO1 Rook; best leading seaman, MS Johnson; proficiency award, MS Bazinet and PO1 Rook; unsung hero award, LS Magnell; Proficiency, PO1 Rook; top cadet, MS Parkins; top senior cadet, PO1 Rook.
To find out about join Sea Cadets call 250-392-2834 or Capt. Bob Harker 778-267-7946 for more information.