About the Junior Canadian Rangers

• While visiting Canadian Ranger patrols, Canadian Forces members perceived a need to provide meaningful activities for young people in isolated communities. This idea gave birth to the Junior Canadian Ranger Programme, which was officially launched in 1996.

• The aim of the Junior Canadian Ranger Programme is to promote traditional cultures and lifestyles by offering a variety of structured activities to young people living in remote and isolated communities.
• Junior Canadian Rangers participate in a variety of activities, including those that focus on Ranger skills, Traditional skills and Life skills. Sixty percent of the JCR Programme is optional and left to the community’s discretion, while forty percent (the Ranger skills) is mandated by the Canadian Forces.
• There are approximately 2, 700 Junior Canadian Rangers in 95 remote and isolated communities across Canada. Many of these youth are Aboriginal and speak a language other than English or French.
• Junior Canadian Rangers are between the ages of 12 and 18, and wear a green sweatshirt and ball cap as their uniform. They are not members of the Canadian Forces.

• There are Junior Canadian Rangers in every province and territory except for Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Saskatchewan.
• Junior Canadian Rangers are taught by qualified Canadian Rangers with the assistance of adult volunteers and members of the Adult Committee.
• The Junior Canadian Ranger Programme has been credited with providing a safe, positive alternative to “at-risk” youth in remote and isolated communities across the country.
• The Junior Canadian Ranger Programme is funded by the Department of National Defence and the Canadian Forces in conjunction with Indian and Northern Affairs Canada. Junior Canadian Rangers also benefit from additional funding and support from other levels of government and private corporations.
• Junior Canadian Rangers are bright, capable, young members of their communities who are interested in improving themselves and helping their fellow citizens.