TISDALE 鈥� The #624 Tisdale Royal Canadian Air Cadet Squadron has resumed in-person training, with strict COVID-19 precautions.
Mike Benjamin, the squadron鈥檚 commanding officer,聽 said the squadron has been given specific orders on how to resume their training.
鈥淚t鈥檚 a gradual approach, it鈥檚 not 鈥榚verybody comes back right away,鈥欌�� Benjamin said. 鈥淲e鈥檙e going to slowly start up our operations, our in-person training. It鈥檚 very important that we don鈥檛 become a conduit to spread the COVID-19 virus.鈥�
These guidelines include mandatory masks for staff and cadets, physical distancing, a mandatory screening process, and strict cleaning protocols before, during and after training.
Anybody who is showing symptoms of the virus or has been in contact with someone who has tested positive is asked to stay away from the training area until such time as they feel better or have been medically cleared.
鈥淲e also have the option to resort to online virtual training, and we have a contingency plan in place should a restriction come back.鈥�
Benjamin said the squadron has continued to grow, with another increase in first and second year cadets resulting in approximately 40 cadets and six staff.
鈥淲e are now on pace to become one of the largest air cadet squadrons outside of a major centre in Saskatchewan, so that鈥檚 an excellent bonus for us in Tisdale,鈥� he said.
鈥淥ur numbers are the highest they鈥檝e been for a very long time.鈥�
To prevent the spread of COVID-19 and comply with provincial crowd guidelines, the cadets are broken up into two separate squadrons that don鈥檛 physically interact with one another.
Benjamin credits the continued growth to the shift of cadet led activities, as well as cadets telling their friends and peers about their enjoyment in the program.
鈥淭hey鈥檙e telling their friends and their friends are very interested in becoming members of the squadron.鈥�
In particular, Benjamin said the number of girl cadets has continued to grow. He called this an 鈥渆xcellent thing to see.鈥�
鈥淭he program is meant for both boys and girls, and it鈥檚 an excellent opportunity for girls to develop their leadership skills, their confidence, self-esteem, [and] pride,鈥� he said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 great to see our girl numbers are increasing, that鈥檚 something I鈥檓 very happy with.鈥�
