OVERVIEW
142 Mimico ‘Determination’ Squadron will be undertaking a trip to Washington, DC, USA and Baltimore, Maryland, to participate in a citizenship, educational and recreational activities. 272 ‘Ojibwa’ Sea Cadet Corps has been invited to have Cadets participate in this trip. Up to 30 Cadets in total will be selected to participate in this international experience. The trip will take place between 13 – 19 March 2016, inclusive.
Travel will be by commercial motor coach to the USA, which will also provide our transportation throughout the tour to our various locations. The accommodations in the Washington area will be at a US National Park Service campsite, and in Baltimore at the US Naval Yard.
Whilst in the USA, Cadets will participate in a variety of activities, with specific emphasis related to educational, cultural and citizenship experiences, visiting museums, theatres and locations of historical significance.
ESCORTS
A total of seven (7) escort staff will be participating in the trip, providing care and supervision of the Cadet members.
In accordance with Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) regulations, only a Commissioned Officer of the Cadet Instructors Cadre (CIC) may be appointed as the Officer In Charge (OIC) of Royal Canadian Air Cadets and/or Royal Canadian Sea Cadets, and only appropriately trained CF Regular (Reg) and Reserve (Res) personnel and Civilian Instructors (CI) are authorized to supervise Royal Canadian Air Cadets and/or Royal Canadian Sea Cadets.
Exercise Canadian Invasion 2016 will be lead by Capt Ric Rangel-Bron, 142 Squadron Commanding Officer, with Capt JP Ferron, Capt Andrew Bilyk, Lt(N) Scott Sweeney, Lt Sarah Hind-Powell, CI Michelle Norwood and CI Vidur Pannerselvam providing supervisory and escort for this trip.
ACTIVITIES AND ITINERARY
Throughout the Exercise participants will see and experience. Please refer to the ITINERARY for specific details.
DRESS CODE
Cadets will travel in designated “Squadron Wear” attire, consisting of a Squadron golf shirt and appropriate pants and footwear. Some of the tours and activities will require Cadets to be in their issued Air Cadet or Sea Cadet uniform, and the Cadets’ full kit, including outer coat, must be brought with them. Please be aware that the mixing of civilian clothing and Air Cadet/Sea Cadet uniform articles is not acceptable, and the Cadet all-season coat, not a civilian overcoat, shall be worn by the Cadet whilst in uniform.
Cadets should bring appropriate civilian attire for some recreational, social and evening activities. This should include sport wear.
ACCOMMODATIONS AND MEALS
The majority of accommodations will be at the US Park Services Prince William Forest in Virginia, and the last night will be at the US Naval Yard in Baltimore, Maryland, with overnight accommodation on board the USCGC Taney.
The meals will consist of breakfasts at the Prince William Forest Mess Hall facilities, bagged lunches and dinner will be within the local community. A meal allowance will be provided for these occasions for the Cadet to purchase their own food as required.
PERSONAL KIT ITEMS
As meals and accommodations are being provided by the Squadron, Cadets are not required to being money with them on this trip. However, it is suggested that Cadets bring a reasonable amount of “spending money” with them in order to purchase items of personal hygiene needs, souvenirs or snacks. Please note that there may be difficulty in accessing “Interac” by debit card at some locations, so some cash must be carried by each individual. That said, it is strongly urged that Cadets carry the majority of their “spending money” in the form of debit cards for purchases. Travelers cheques (Thomas Cook or American Express, etc) may be difficult to cash in some locations. Neither the Officers nor CI staff will take custody or responsibility for monies carried by Cadets.
Expensive or items of significant personal value should not be brought on this trip. Although locker facilities may be available at some locations, neither the Officers nor CI staff will take custody or responsibility for items lost or damaged carried by Cadets.
RULES AND REGULATIONS
In accordance with Canadian Cadet Movement policies, Cadets are prohibited from consuming alcoholic beverages or the usage of illegal drugs or substances. Cadets found in violation of this policy will be subject to discipline up to and including the following:
The Cadet may be sent home, and if so, it is at the expense of the parent or guardian;
- The Cadet may be prohibited from participating in future trip and/or overnight activities; and,
- The Cadet may loose Cadet training and/or membership privileges.
Cadets are also bound to comply with all other terms and conditions as specified by the Cadet Administrative and Training Orders (CATO’s) and the Squadron Standing Orders.
TRAVEL DOCUMENTATION, MEDICAL AND INSURANCE COVERAGE
Group travel and medical insurance is being purchased for the participants. It is encouraged that Cadets participating in this trip have the additional travel documentation, medical and insurance coverage if it felt necessary by the parent/guardian to participate in an international trip to the United Kingdom and France.
Cadets who are Canadian citizens will require a valid Canadian Passport to enter the United States. Cadets who are landed immigrants or not Canadian citizens will require appropriate travel documents for their country of birth and citizenship. Cadets are responsible for making the necessary arrangements to obtain their own Canadian Passport, Visa, or other travel documentation. If in doubt about necessary travel documentation, Cadets or their parents/guardians should contact the US Consulate for information.
Additionally, Cadets shall be required to have the following documentation in their possession before leaving Toronto:
- Provincial OHIP Card – Cadets are required to have their personal OHIP Card in their possession when they participate in Cadet activities. A copy of the OHIP Card or number recorded on paper is not sufficient evidence of medical coverage and will be refused by medical facilities.
- Personal Identification – Personal photo identification must be carried by the Cadet during the trip. Suitable forms of personal photo identification include a Driver’s License, OHIP Card, school or workplace ID.
142 Mimico Squadron and 272 Ojibwa Sea Cadets will be providing each participating Cadet with a Cadet Identification Card, consisting of the Cadet’s photograph, OHIP and emergency information, prior to departure. However, Cadets will also be required to have other forms of personal or government identification.
Cadets will also be issued an emergency contact card, which will include emergency contact information for the OPI and instructions for Police should they become separated from the main party for whatever reason.
KIT INSPECTION AND VERIFICATION
Prior to departure from Toronto, a full inspection of each Cadet’s personal kit shall occur prior to departure on 10 March 2016 at 1830hrs at the Mimico Adult Learning Centre (MALC). The kit inspection is conducted to ensure safety and hygiene requirements have been met by each Cadet. Cadets and/or parents/guardians are advised that they shall submit to a kit inspection as a condition of travel as part of the Squadron group. Cadets and/or parents/guardians who do not wish to submit to a kit inspection can choose not to participate in the Squadron trip. Failure to attend the Kit Inspection will see the Cadet removed from the trip and there will be no refund of monies paid.
MEDICATIONS
The Squadron will be traveling with a small quantity of over the counter (OTC) medications (Tylenol, Advil, Gravol and Robitussin) that may be administered if necessary to those Cadets who have parental consent (completed Medical Consent Form on file with OPI) by their parent/guardian prior to travel departure. These over the counter medications will only be administered by the Commanding Officer or his designate. Dosage instructions will be followed as directed by the label instructions. Parents/guardians are to initial the Medication Consent Form if they agree or disagree to have certain medications administered to their child/ward during the course of the trip.
Prescription medications must be carried by the Cadet in the bottle/package issued by the pharmacy with the pharmacy label intact. The prescription dosage must be clearly legible for inspection upon demand. The Cadet must bring sufficient medication to last the duration of the trip. (A small percentage of extra medication is recommended in the event of spillage.)
Cadets who require “rescue medication” such as Ventolin or Epi-Pen must bring an extra dosage, a minimum of two (2) complete doses, of the prescription on this trip, which will be secured by the OPI or his designate. For these kinds of medication, or any other medication required by a participant, it is recommended that a written prescription be carried by the participant in the event that it needs to be filled.
Please be aware that it is difficult to acquire medications in another country for non-residents, even with a prescription from a medical doctor. In the event of an emergency, medical aid will be provided by the local Ambulance Service and hospital emergency department.
The Squadron will be arranging standard medical travel insurance for each Cadet participating in the trip. This mandatory coverage will be negotiated by the Squadron for a group rate, with each Cadet being financially responsible for their portion of the group rate. This group rate insurance will provide a similar level of coverage afforded by the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) within Ontario. OHIP Cards will be required to be carried by all Cadets during the trip.
For Cadets suffering from medical conditions or allergies that may be life threatening, it is highly recommended that a Medic Alert bracelet be worn at all times. Please consult your family physician or pharmacist for further information regarding the appropriate use of a Medic Alert bracelet for medical or allergic conditions. Complex or multiple medical or allergic conditions may require that a detailed written explanation by his/her physician be kept on the Cadet’s person whilst traveling, in the event of an emergency.
NOTE: Due to the nature of the medical or allergic condition, the Cadet may not be permitted to travel on this international trip. The welfare of the Cadet in question, and those of the entire group must be considered in these situations.