08/19/2020
With the coming of the fall season normally comes the close of our summer activities, and a return to our regular routines. Summer vacations wind down, we return to school, to work, and, of course, back to Cadets.
This year, however, continues to be very different. It is assumed that the COVID-19 pandemic could last 18 months or longer, and the virus will likely return in multiple waves continuing to pose a threat to the Canadian Public. Therefore, a return to normalcy is not forecasted any time soon and we should expect to prepare for a new normal.
As such, we have been hard at work to prepare a plan for what the return of the Cadet Program will look like.
The safety and security of all who participate in our programs remain our top priority, and has been at the heart of every decision made. Steps to ensure that the proper precautions have been taken to ensure we do everything we can to protect our cadets and staff and prevent the Cadet Program from becoming a vector for the further transmission of COVID-19 are being put in place.
To provide corps / squadron staff time to ensure they are able to support the possible resumption of limited in-person cadet activities, there will be a delay in the start-up of in-person Cadet Activities until at least 1 October 2020.
Corps and squadrons are encouraged to use the time in September to connect virtually with their cadets and parents.
Some of the major highlights of Task Order 2 include:
1. Update – for in-person activities
a. No in-person training/events/activities are to commence prior to 1 Oct 20. Virtual engagement may commence on 1 Sep 20 while preparations for in-person gatherings are underway.
b. Facility and event checklists will need to be filled out by corps/squadrons COs for approval by the Chain of command prior to allowing limited in-person activities for parade nights and subsequent activities.
c. Virtual CTC completed Friday 14 Aug, 2020, will be gathering lessons learned to apply to the upcoming cadet year.
2. Planning
a. 1-30 Sep preparations may include staff meetings at the parade location (adults only) provided Public Health Measures (PHM) are adhered to
3. Fundraising
a. No in-person fundraising activities involving cadets and adult staff are authorized until further notice.
4. When training resumes
a. Cadets and adult staff (CAF, CIs, and volunteers) must inform their chain of command if they have been tested for COVID-19 and also the results.
b. When the time comes for in person activities, non-medical masks (NMMs) will be provided by the CAF to all cadets and staff; however, in the interim, cadets and staff may use personally procured NMMs if they have them.
c. Wearing of non-medical masks during in-person activities will be dependent on the local situation (e.g., school board direction, Provincial / Municipal regulations), ensuring 2m physical distancing. Additional direction may following prior to 1 Oct 2020.
d. If COVID awareness training is required for all occupants to enter a facility (i.e. an armoury), cadets will individually complete our online COVID training course and advise their corps/sqn staff of completion, prior to entering the facility.
e. Previous direction regarding international cadet training/events remains extant. Given the state of COVID and global projections; No international cadet training/events will occur prior to 1 Sep 21, this includes all Exchanges (i.e. ISCA, IACE, Maple Leaf, etc.).
f. Inter-provincial/territorial travel is limited to program participants who reside within one hour of a provincial/territorial border and must cross it in order to attend regular parade nights or other approved day only training activities. There will be no commercial air travel, Ground transport must be arranged and carried out in a manner that ensures 2 metre distancing between passengers, with appropriate cleaning protocol. Self-travel for any cadet activities is limited to within 1 hour of the parade location in order to maximize parental drop off / pick up of their child; Exception to the 1 hour limitation will be approved by the RCSU CO.
g. No overnight travel is authorized until further notice. This means, for example, day only field exercises and no recreational trips outside the 1-hour driving limitations.
h. We are planning for day camps during the spring break 2021 period across Canada. Looking at up to approximately 6,000 cadets getting the opportunity and parents dropping off and picking up. We are exploring the use of local armouries, facilities with the focus being on safe, fun and exciting activities for the cadets.
5. Subsequent updates
a. Subsequent direction will follow Not Before 1 Nov 20 in regards to CTCs for Summer 2021.
6. Update - Power Pilot Training Course (PPTC) and Glider Pilot Training Course (GPTC)
a. The decision to conduct the PPTC and GPTC will be made by Comd Natl CJCR Sp Gp in the Nov/Dec 2020 timeframe.
b. Note: Force generation of glider instructors will need to be the first priority to ensure viability of the glider program in the future.
c. There is planned to be a selection process for both GPTC and PPTC this training year.
d. PPTC and GPTC could resume, conditions permitting, during summer 2021, but there are no guarantees that approval will be given to conduct these courses given COVID-19.
e. Additionally, cadet familiarization flying (power and glider), could also resume, conditions permitting, but no earlier than summer 2021.
