Cadet Week Activities for All Units

Community Engagement Activities

Open House

Invite the public, parents, elected officials, educators, and community leaders to visit your corps or squadron.

Ideas:

  • Meet-and-greet with cadets
  • Training demonstrations
  • Uniform and equipment displays
  • Information booth for prospective cadets
  • Volunteer recruitment station

Mayor’s Proclamation

Work with your municipality to proclaim “Ontario Cadets Week” in your community.

Activities:

  • Attend a council meeting
  • Have cadets present the proclamation
  • Arrange photos with municipal leaders
  • Share on social media and local media outlets

Flag Raising Ceremony

Partner with municipal offices, schools, Legion branches, or community centres.

Include:

  • Cadet honour guard
  • National Anthem
  • Remarks from community leaders
  • Media invitation

Public Awareness Events

Cadet Day at the Mall

Set up an information display in a shopping centre.

Features:

  • Interactive displays
  • Cadet recruitment materials
  • Band performances
  • Cadets engaging with the public

Community Information Booth

Participate in:

  • Farmers’ markets
  • Fall fairs
  • Local festivals
  • Sporting events
  • Community celebrations

Window Display Campaign

Partner with local businesses to create Ontario Cadets Week promotional displays.

Service Projects

Community Clean-Up

Organize:

  • Park clean-ups
  • Trail maintenance
  • Beach clean-ups
  • Community beautification projects

Food Bank Support

Cadets can:

  • Collect food donations
  • Volunteer at food banks
  • Assist with sorting and distribution

Veteran Support Initiatives

Work with local Legions and veterans’ organizations.

Examples:

  • Visit veterans
  • Deliver appreciation cards
  • Assist at commemorative events
  • Support Legion fundraising activities

Recognition Activities

Volunteer Appreciation Night

Recognize:

  • Support Committee members
  • Local Support Committee members
  • CIC Officers
  • Civilian Instructors
  • Community partners

Consider presenting:

  • Certificates
  • Appreciation pins
  • Community recognition awards

Cadet Achievement Ceremony

Celebrate cadet accomplishments.

Recognize:

  • Leadership
  • Citizenship
  • Community service
  • Academic achievement
  • Long service

Alumni Recognition

Invite former cadets to share their experiences and successes.

School and Youth Outreach

School Presentations

Arrange presentations at local elementary and secondary schools.

Topics:

  • Leadership opportunities
  • Summer training experiences
  • Community service
  • Adventure activities
  • No-cost participation

Bring-a-Friend Night

Encourage cadets to invite classmates and friends to a special training evening.

Youth Leadership Workshops

Host leadership and teamwork sessions open to all youth in the community.

Demonstrations and Displays

Cadet Showcase Event

Demonstrate:

  • Drill
  • Band
  • Marksmanship simulators
  • Aircraft models
  • Seamanship skills
  • Expedition equipment

Leadership Challenge Course

Create interactive stations where community members can participate in team-building activities.

Cadet Skills Fair

Set up hands-on activities highlighting cadet training opportunities.

Media and Communications

Media Day

Invite:

  • Local newspapers
  • Radio stations
  • Community television
  • Municipal communications teams

Provide:

  • Stories of cadet success
  • Volunteer profiles
  • Community impact statistics

Social Media Campaign

Feature:

  • “Cadet of the Day”
  • Volunteer spotlights
  • Alumni stories
  • Community partners
  • Historical highlights

Suggested hashtags:

  • #OntarioCadetsWeek
  • #CadetsCanada
  • #YouthLeadership
  • #CadetsInTheCommunity

Fundraising and Partnership Events

Community BBQ

Partner with:

  • Royal Canadian Legion
  • Service clubs
  • Municipal partners
  • Local businesses

Sponsor Appreciation Event

Recognize local businesses and organizations that support cadets.

Charity Walk or Run

Highlight cadets’ commitment to community service while raising funds for local causes.

Signature Ontario Cadets Week Event

Each community could host a “Cadets in the Community Day” featuring:

  • Cadet parade
  • Flag raising
  • Community service project
  • Open house
  • Recruitment activities
  • Volunteer recognition ceremony
  • Community BBQ
  • Family activities

This creates a highly visible celebration that demonstrates the value of the Cadet Program and showcases the positive impact cadets have on their communities.

Key Objective: Every activity should answer one question for the public: “How do cadets make our community stronger?” When communities see cadets serving, leading, and contributing, awareness, support, and recruitment naturally follow.