Prairie Region Army Cadet Adventure Training Centres
"Where the wilderness
is our classroom"
This page has been compiled to inform parents, cadets, Escort Officers
and Unit Commanding Officers of the activities to expect at the
Prairie Region Army Cadet Adventure Training Centres.
Refer to the Joining Instructions for specific details and schedules.
ABSEILING
Abseiling is one of the most exciting and challenging
activities army cadets can participate in. Our instructors rely
on their excellent training and experience to offer a safe and thrilling
opportunity to the cadets.
Definition: Army Cadet Abseil is defined
as "making a descent of a steep rock-face or approved tower by using
a 10.5 mm diameter doubled or a 10.5 mm diameter single rope fixed
at higher point with the cadet attached to a Top Rope Belay system.
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CANOEING
Canoeing can be a simple leisure activity, an effective mode of
transportation through the Canadian wilderness or even an exciting
trip through white water. Beginning with basic strokes and manoeuvres,
a canoeist will continually add skills and experience as he/she
takes to the water. The aim of paddling activities
such as canoe/kayak training is to expose cadets to an activity
of great cultural significance to Canadians. Water travel in Canada
is part of our heritage.
Adventure Training Centres offer an exciting
way for cadets to explore Canada's waterways through the promotion
of safe canoeing and environmentally sensitive paddling. The discovery
of the Canadian geography can be used to challenge cadets and expose
them to environments or situations with which they may not be familiar.
Paddling instruction and trips can offer an opportunity to appreciate
the Canadian wilderness and for cadets to learn from their experience.
.jpg) Definition:
Canoeing \Ca*noe"ing\ n. The act or art of using a canoe. Canoe
\Ca*noe"\ n. A light, open, slender boat that has pointed ends and
is propelled by paddles.
ORIENTEERING 
Orienteering has been described as "running while playing
chess". It is easy to learn how to orienteer, but the challenges
the sport provides are endless. Orienteering offers an intellectual
challenge in addition to ordinary physical exercise.
Orienteering is the competitive sport of finding one's
way between specified points across rough country, usually in unfamiliar
terrain, using a map and a compass. Orienteering's navigational
skills are easily combined to other adventure activities such as
bicycling, canoeing, cross-country skiing and hiking.
Orienteering offers the perfect opportunity for hands-on application
of map and compass work but is not limited to an extension of those
skills. Basic orienteering can be done with no compass and simple
maps or in a familiar build-up area.
Three main skills are developed in orienteering; physical conditioning,
concentration and three-dimensional thinking/navigation. Since most
of the competition takes place usually for individuals (sometimes
pairs or small teams) away from meet officials, the participants
are personally responsible for their performance and ethical behavior.
As a result, strong traits of independence, sportsmanship and fair
play are developed in orienteering participants.
A typical orienteering race involves
using a detailed map and a compass to navigate one's way round a
course with designated control points, which are drawn on the map.
On the route, orange and white control markers are set in the places
that correspond to the points on the map. The competitors punch
their control cards at each control point. The winner of the competition
is the participant who has used the shortest time to visit the control
points in numerical order. Fast running alone does not make you
a winner. You must also choose the best route between the control
points and find the markers without wasting unnecessary seconds.
HIKING AND BACKPACKING
Hiking is the activity of vigorous walking in the outdoors/wilderness
on an unpaved trace, either a path or navigating an unmarked route.
Usually hiking consists of traveling across country over different
terrains, sometimes with inclines and declines. Hiking is sometimes
referred to as mountain/hill walking. Hiking can take place on a
route with a different start and end point, a circuit or a mid-point
destination and return. Hiking may also include obstacle crossings
of low-level intensity such as logs and fallen trees; however, it
does not include river crossings (fording). Participants will carry
water, food, living and emergency equipment. Hiking is a simple
name for an activity that has a surprisingly large number of essential
skills encompassed in it. It is more than just walking, and different
from just camping.
Described as "Moving from one place to another through the wilderness
with your house on your back." One of differences between hiking
and walking around in town is that you need to become more aware
of your circumstances and what you need in order to take care of
your body. While you are hiking there generally won't be a car,
bus, house, store, or any other shelter to duck into if you get
too hot or too cold or too tired or too hungry. And depending on
when and where you go there may not be anyone else around. If you
miss judge something on a short hike, it won't take long before
you can get back to warmth, shelter, food, water, and more familiar
surroundings.
Definition: hike v. hiked, hik·ing, hikes v. intr. 1. To go on an
extended walk for pleasure or exercise.
ROPE BRIDGING
A rope bridge is a great way to learn a few knots
and have fun while you do it. A rope bridge can be made in many
different ways, depending on the situation and equipment available.
However, the fundamentals and basic knots are the same in all types
of rope bridges. Rope bridging can be classified as either a high
ropes course or a low ropes course. A low ropes course consists
of crossing a single or multiple rope bridge(s) at a height less
than or equal to 1.5 meters. A high ropes course regards any bridge
higher than 1.5 meters. Like Abseiling, safety and attention to
detail is paramount with this activity. Experienced instructors
and the proper equipment make for an enjoyable learning experience.
 Rope bridge skills are taught and practiced at the Adventure
Training Centres to reinforce the skills of communication, decision
making, planning, trust, risk taking, expressing feelings and more.
Cadets will benefit from improved social skills, independence and
self-reliance as well as feel a sence of higher self-esteem.
Definition:
Rope bridge1 n. 1. A structure made of rope spanning and providing
passage over a gap or barrier, such as a river or roadway. |
