395 Griffon Edmonton Squadron Parent/Cadet Information Handbook
395 Edmonton “Griffon” Squadron
Royal Canadian Air Cadets
Parent/Guardian Information
Last updated: September 2015
Dates: Registration starts in September and we take new cadets all training year. Mandatory training is held every Tuesday from September to early June with some training on various weekends. There are normally no activities over the Christmas holidays.
Time: 6:30pm to 9:30pm (cadets should arrive by 6:15pm)
Location: HMCS Nonsuch
11807 Kingsway Avenue
Between Superstore and Canadian Tire, behind the Chateau Louis Hotel
Squadron Office Phone: 780-454-5434
Squadron Office Email:
Parents’ Association Email:
Stay Connected:
1. FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/395Squadron
2. TWITTER: https://twitter.com/395AirCadets
3. TEXT MESSAGE: Send “@395ca” to (204) 809-8799 to subscribe
Fees: There are no registration costs for the cadet program including no cost for receiving an Air Cadet Uniform (on temporary loan while the youth is a cadet).
Additional activities, such as sports programs, karate, band, special trips, banquets and awards require fundraising! It is important that all parents/guardians participate in fundraising, volunteering and attend Parent Committee Meetings. In order to provide equal opportunity to all cadets, all local operating costs, most mandatory training costs, and most optional training costs are provided through local fundraising.
All summer training and scholarships, including transportation, are provided by the Department of National Defence (DND) at no cost to the cadets.
Aims: To develop in youth the attributes of good citizenship and leadership
To promote physical fitness
To stimulate an interest in the air element of the Canadian Forces
Support
Air Cadet League of Canada
The Air Cadet League of Canada, in partnership with the Department of National Defence (DND) is the organizational body within which all Air Cadet Squadrons operate. The League provides the basic operating guidelines for Provincial Committees, Sponsors, Sponsoring Committees, and Squadrons on all non-military issues. The League also represents the organization and provides input on these cadet issues to DND.
Sponsor: Rotary Club of Edmonton West
The role of the sponsor is to assist in local operation of the Air Cadet Squadron. This includes the provision of suitable staff (both military and civilian); helping to arrange certain recreational programs; representing the squadron at league functions; providing for some of the financial needs of the Squadron; and a variety of other items. Our Sponsor is thoroughly involved and has been a major support to the squadron for several decades. The Sponsor is the local level of the Air Cadet League.
Major Supporter: Three Nine Five Squadron Parents’ Association
The Parents’ Association is an extension of the Sponsoring Committee. The association provides two representatives to participate on the Sponsoring committee thereby ensuring that the concerns regarding the funds raised by the parents are considered by the Committee. These funds, raised through sources not available to the Sponsoring Committee, make a significant contribution to financing the local operational requirements of the Squadron. These include optional activities and trips, extra equipment, training supplies, administrative supplies, etc., which are in addition to those provided by DND.
Parent’s duties and obligations:
All Parents / Guardians are members of the Three Nine Five Parents’ Association and as such have a responsibility to:
o attend Parent Meetings (when possible)
o sit on committees (when possible)
o participate by volunteering; and
o assist with fund raising and other events.
Parents’ Association Mission
The 395 Squadron Parent’s Association is a non-profit organization who’s sole purpose is to further the Edmonton 395 Air Cadet Squadron through it’s ongoing support. The Mission of the 395 Squadron Parent’s Association is to enhance the experience that each cadet has with 395 Squadron. We exist and operate within our own charter and are not Governed by the 395 Squadron, or their sponsors. We are required to work in conjunction to and with the Commanding Officer, and their Sponsors, to provide a spirit of co-operation and support to achieve the goal common to us all…
“Giving our children the best cadet experience possible.”
Parents’ Association Objectives
· Provide moral and financial support to the Cadets of 395 Squadron
· Promote physical fitness
· Develop in the Cadets the attributes of good citizenship, leadership, and community involvement
· Promote the aims of the Air Cadet League of Canada
Fundraising
All parents are strongly encouraged to assist in fundraising activities as often as they are able. Many of the activities and opportunities that 395 cadets participate in are entirely dependent on the success of this fundraising.Fundraising requires volunteer work from the parents of the Cadets and the Cadets themselves. Without these funds many “extra” programs will not be available for the cadets. The Parent’s Association needs a commitment of 3 Bingos and 1 casino shift per family in order to meet that need.
Volunteer screening is NOT required for most fundraising activities and ANY parent can help out. Volunteer screening is required for volunteering in the kitchen at the Survival camps as well as any direct Cadet related activities.
a) GAMING Funds are earned by having volunteers work at casino and bingo events. Income earned is used to pay for cadet programs not covered by the Department of National Defense (DND). Gaming funds are restricted and permission needs to be granted for use of these funds by Gaming. Bingo income is generally used to cover office costs such as on-going internet access, website hosting, telephone costs, general office supplies, and costs of optional cadet activities as required.
Casino income is generally used to fund additional/optional trips and excursions not otherwise funded by DND such as; larger items, band instruction, Karate, trips such as CFB Cold Lake, and major trips every 2 years or so (past trips: Quebec, Victoria, Banff/Calgary, Seattle, Ottawa, San Diego).
b) SOCIAL Funds are earned from a variety of activities as listed below:
• Cookie Dough Sales
• Mundare sausage
• Funscript Gift Card Program
• Bottle Drive
Social Funds are used to cover costs which cannot be paid for by using gaming funds; the most notable is cadet tickets for the Annual Banquet & Awards night. Funds are also used for the End of Year Family BBQ.
Canteen: a cost recovery fund which provides cadets with snacks at their Tuesday nights’ breaks. Items range from $0.50 - $1.00 each
Spiritwear: clothing and additional items which can be purchased for Cadets and their family. These items are sold twice per year, usually in the fall (delivered before Christmas) and spring (delivered before the end of the year). These items are not mandatory for training.
Reminders to Parents
Do not stop or park in the fire lane
HMCS Nonsuch is DND facility. Rules governing the use of this facility are not necessarily the same as those of civilian facilities. You may be asked to show ID and sign in upon entry.
Come inside and know what your cadet(s) is doing
Listen to the nightly announcements
Attend Parent Committee Meetings
Support the fund raising efforts of the parents committee whenever you can
Tempting as it may be on occasion, please do not drop and run or sit in the car waiting for your cadets to come out.
Be involved for the betterment of your children.
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