Cadet Training Centres, Army Cadet Summer Training Centres, Army Cadet Summer Camps, Army Cadet Trades Training Centres & Overseas Exchanges

1920s to date

If you don't see your photo here, please email us a 300dpi scan of it and we'll include it.

Throughout the history of Army Cadets, summer training camps existed across Canada. Pre WWII most camps were usually 10 days long and provided an opportunity for collective training in sports, signaling, marksmanship and drill. There would be a fundamental shift in training after WWII. Firstly, the Canadian Technical Training Corps was formed Dec 10, 1941.

The corps opened the Canadian Army Trades School (CATS) in different regions across Canada with a view to training the various soldier-tradesmen within the forces.  It enrolled young men of 16 for training as electricians, machinists, draftsmen, surveyors, clerks, and auto mechanics; so that they could complete trades training by 19 and be directly enrolled into the Canadian Army. This program was adopted by the emerging Army Cadet Camps as a model for training.

After WWII, the summer camp philosophy changed to incorporate the lessons learned from 1940-45, that primarily being the evolution of technology and it's various uses in the Canadian Army. Now the Army Cadet summer camps became much more than the traditional 10-day camps, they now would include trades training: Infantry Basic Training; Signals, Special Engineering Equipment, Driver & Mechanic, Fire Control Equipment. All trades that had been important during war time, this time with a threat implied, Canada would not be caught unprepared. 

During the 1950s, 60s and 70s the courses would evolve further. Cadet Leader and Cadet Leader Instructor would eventually replace most of the trades training. There was more of an emphasis on adventure training including, canoeing, mountain climbing and hiking. 

The names of the camps went through many changes reflecting the shift in training: Trades Training Camps 1940s -50s, Army Cadet Camps 1950s to 1990s, and since 1996 Army Cadet Summer Training Centres. Rather interestingly is the undeniable fact that camp life is and has always been one of the most important and rewarding aspects of the cadet career. 

On the left  you will find a vast resource of many of the summer camps & training centres since 1943.