Canadian Adventure of a Lifetime for Archie

Earlier this summer, we heard that Archie Barker (5FOX)  had been selected to attend Army Cadet exchange in Canada this summer under the control of the Royal Canadian Army Cadets. Out of 68,000 Army Cadets across the UK, Archie was one of only 60 cadets to have been selected.

The exchange programme offers cadets the opportunity of a lifetime. Archie was able to spend six weeks with Canadian cadets from across North America working in groups of up to 20 people, learning to become a team and making friend for life. The four courses the cadets took on were all based on adventure training or sport and fitness. They were physically demanding, requiring resilience, robustness and enthusiasm. Archie was able to learn new skills such as trekking through the wilderness, crossing glaciers, canoeing icy rivers and climbing imposing rock faces. 

When asking Archie about the experience, he said: “I can safely say that my six week Canadian expedition instructor course was a truly life changing experience from start to finish.  I particularly enjoyed the challenges of the 18 day expedition.  The thrill of canoeing the rapids of the Takhini river for five days, wild camping on the shores, through the magnificent Yukon Territory was awesome and memorable. Another high point was witnessing the Northern Lights, an ambition I fulfilled. I would say the 36 hour survival solo was my most demanding time. I made lifelong friends and experiences that have shaped me, I’m very grateful for the opportunity and fully recommend it.”

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