Junior Canadian Rangers in the Community

The Junior Canadian Ranger Programme could not exist without the full support of the local community and its citizens. Anything not provided for by the Canadian Forces – participants, leaders, resources – is drawn from the local community. From the mayor or community council members who sanction the formation of the patrol, to the elders who patiently teach the lost skills, to the corporate and private citizens who volunteer either their time, the loan of their equipment, vehicles and resources – the entire community is involved.

In fact, the only way a Junior Canadian Ranger patrol can exist is if the community requests its formation and is able to prove to the Department of National Defence that sufficient local interest and support exists to sustain the program in the community.

As uniformed young adults, members of the community look to the Junior Canadian Rangers and their instructors (Canadian Rangers) for leadership and inspiration. Canadian Rangers are often called upon to act in times of crisis above and beyond their regular duties. Due to their high visibility, both Canadian Rangers and Junior Canadian Rangers are frequently pointed out as positive role models to their peers and the young or at-risk members of the community.

Having a Junior Canadian Ranger patrol is a point of pride in many remote and isolated communities. Junior Canadian Rangers take their participation very seriously and are proud to be active members of the youth program.

Adult Committees

As part of the local community, Adult Committees play a very important role in the Junior Canadian Ranger Programme. Adult Committees are composed of well-respected and capable members of the local community, and their members have a vested and active interest in the success of the program.

Each Junior Canadian Ranger patrol is overseen by a local Adult Committee, which is formed of eight (8) community members. Normally the Adult Committee is formed of respected members of the community like the tribal council elder, the mayor, the local RCMP officer, social workers or teachers, who can bring their professional experience and background to bear on the workings of the JCR Programme.

The Adult Committee has a myriad of responsibilities, including:

• Establishing the training timetable
• Screening and selecting the instructors for the program
• Screening of volunteers
• Raising of resources to support the patrol
• Fostering awareness and understanding of the Junior Canadian Ranger Programme
• Encouraging interest and participation from the local population
• Other as required