Vernon Army Cadet Summer Training Centre

Every summer, hundreds of young cadets from across British Columbia and beyond gather right here in Vernon for one of the most unique youth training experiences in Canada, the Vernon Army Cadet Summer Training Centre (VACSTC). For many, it’s more than a camp, it’s a life-changing chapter filled with challenge, growth, and friendships that last long after the final parade.

A Legacy of Leadership and Adventure

The Vernon Army Cadet Summer Training Centre has been a cornerstone of youth development for decades. Set against the stunning Okanagan backdrop, VACSTC brings together over 1,000 cadets each summer, ranging from brand-new recruits attending their first two-week introductory course to seasoned senior cadets taking on leadership and instructional roles.

Throughout the summer, cadets live, train, and grow together in an environment that encourages responsibility, teamwork, and pride. The experience mirrors many aspects of military structure, morning inspections, leadership chains, unit cooperation, but it’s all built around one purpose: helping young people become capable, confident, and community-minded leaders.

Skills That Shape the Future

At Vernon, cadets don’t just learn how to march in step, they learn how to take the lead. Training programs are hands-on, exciting, and designed to push comfort zones while building real-world skills. Courses often include:

• Fieldcraft and Survival Training: Shelter building, map and compass navigation, teamwork in outdoor environments.

• Expedition Training: Multi-day hiking, camping, and canoeing adventures that teach perseverance and leadership under pressure.

• Marksmanship and Range Safety: Safe firearm handling, discipline, and precision.

• Fitness and Drill: Physical conditioning, coordination, and confidence.

• Leadership and Instructional Skills: Senior cadets learn to mentor others, manage teams, and take responsibility for real outcomes.

Beyond technical training, cadets develop communication, time management, and resilience, skills that benefit them for the rest of their lives.

A Summer to Remember: Friendships and Growth

Ask any cadet who’s attended Vernon, and they’ll tell you, it’s not just the skills, it’s the people that make the experience unforgettable. Cadets forge friendships with peers from all over the country, bonding through shared challenges, campfire laughter, and the pride of completing something extraordinary together.

Many cadets describe their summers at Vernon as a turning point, where they first discovered their voice, their leadership potential, and the confidence to take on bigger roles back home in their corps.

Earn While You Learn

One of the best-kept secrets of the cadet program is that cadets are paid for their work during summer training. It begins as a small weekly stifle, but as cadets progress through the ranks, they can apply for advanced positions, such as section commander, instructor, or course staff, where they not only gain leadership experience but also receive paid training opportunities.

These positions recognize the effort and dedication cadets invest throughout the year, and they prepare them for even greater challenges, both within the cadet program and in life beyond it.

Opportunities for Promotion and Leadership

Every summer at Vernon, cadets can see the path ahead, from leading a section for the first time to becoming part of the staff team that trains others. Promotions aren’t just about rank; they’re about responsibility, respect, and earning the trust of peers and superiors.

A cadet who begins at the basic level can, over a few years, work their way up to Master Cadet, Warrant Officer, or even Chief Warrant Officer, taking on leadership roles that teach accountability, decision-making, and mentorship. These are experiences that build confidence and maturity in ways few youth programs can match.

A Foundation for the Future

The Vernon Army Cadet Summer Training Centre represents everything the Cadet Program stands for: leadership, service, adventure, and growth. The lessons cadets learn here extend far beyond the parade square, they carry them into classrooms, careers, and communities.

For parents, it’s reassuring to know their children are spending their summers in a safe, structured, and empowering environment, one that fosters independence, discipline, and genuine friendship. For cadets, it’s an adventure that shapes who they become.

If your child is curious, motivated, or simply ready to try something new, we encourage you to learn more about the cadet experience, and see how a summer at Vernon could be the start of something incredible.

Because the skills learned here don’t fade when summer ends, they become the foundation for a lifetime of leadership.