Trip Information March 2014 | Exercise Canadian Invasion

OVERVIEW

102 Barrie Silver Fox Squadron will be undertaking a trip to the United Kingdom and France to participate in citizenship, educational and recreational activities. 142 Mimico Determination Squadron has been invited to include up to five Cadets in the trip. Up to 35 Cadets in total will be selected to participate in this international experience. The trip will take place between 6 – 24 March 2014, inclusive.

Travel will be by commercial airline to the United Kingdom. Whilst in the UK, we will travel by public transport to our various tour locations. Travel to France will be via the public ferries, and travel in France will be by motor coach hire transport to our various tour locations. The accommodations in the UK will be at MOD military establishments and in France at youth hostel facilities – U.N.C.M.T. and Centre des Fontaines.

Whilst in the United Kingdom and France, Cadets will participate in a variety of activities, with specific emphasis related to educational, cultural and citizenship experiences, visiting museums, theatres and locations of Canadian historical significance and Canadian, Commonwealth and Allied War Cemeteries. Cadets will also have the opportunity to visit Canada House in London, Buckingham Palace, and British Ministry of Defence (MOD) facilities.

ESCORTS

A total of ten (10) 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 only appropriately trained CF Regular (Reg) and Reserve (Res) personnel and Civilian Instructors (CI) are authorized to supervise Royal Canadian Air Cadets.

Exercise Canadian Invasion 2014 will be lead by Major Collin Scott, 102 Squadron Commanding Officer; and, the Ex OIC/OPI Captain Rangel-Bron, Deputy Commanding Officer of 142 Squadron, assisted by Civilian Instructor Dale Valentine from 142 Squadron and Ex 2IC. Supervisory/escort personnel for this trip will be Captain Lennard Johnston; Captain Barry Paull; Lieutenant Cailey Lenehan; Second Lieutenant Peter Carman; CI Renee Griffith; CI Carla St. Jean, and CI Andrew McInnis.

ESCORTS

A total of ten (10) escort staff will be participating in the trip, providing care and supervision of the Cadet members.

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 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 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 and swim wear.

ACCOMMODATIONS AND MEALS

The majority of accommodations will be at military and/or government youth hostel facilities in the UK and France.

The majority of meals will be at military Mess Hall facilities, although there will be occasion where Cadets will eat 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 Kingdom and France. 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 British and French Consulates 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.

102 Barrie Silver Fox Squadron and 142 Mimico Determination Squadron will be providing each participating Cadet with a Squadron 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 RAF host Officers 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 for the airport terminal building. 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.

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 (A&E).

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.