Exciting opportunities will open up for young people from the district when the Junior Canadian Rangers program is launched in Kitimat for the first time.
Capt. Scott Macdonald, Officer Commanding of 4th Canadian Ranger Patrol Group’s JCR Company, said the decision to establish a program here was made following strong support from both Kitimat and Kitamaat Village.
“This program is very important for children. It provides them with training and opportunities they wouldn’t get otherwise,” said Macdonald.
He said while there was tremendous support for the program, the town ultimately qualified for a program because it has an effective Canadian Ranger Patrol, whose members will help lead the Juniors.
Macdonald said while they were interested in signing up young people aged 12 to 18, they were also looking for adults to volunteer to help and to support the program.
“We’re not necessary looking for people with military background, although we will definitely take advantage of that,” said Macdonald. “We are also looking for volunteers who have special skills and who are interested in youth development.
“If the parents just want to help out, that works too. Their input is very important for us.”
He said the company also likes to bring in experts to provide knowledge on speciality fields like hunting and fishing.
While the program runs all year round, it is only active during the school year and not during the summer.
“Every summer I run big summer camps, bringing Junior Canadian Rangers in from all over western Canada to a central location to do some fun stuff,” said Macdonald.
He said there is a marked difference when young people enter the program at 12 and when they leave at 18.
“They leave the program as switched on, well-adjusted and capable adults, confident, knowledgeable and displaying leadership abilities,” said Macdonald.
The program develops skills in three areas: ranger skills, which includes navigation, the safe handling of firearms, bush craft, field craft, camping skills and some drill practices in preparation of Remembrance Day; life skills, which includes everything from learning how to open a bank account and preventing harassment and bullying, to cooking and changing a tire on an off-road vehicle; and traditional skills, skills reflective of the community tied to First Nations culture, history, language and craft, including activities such as crabbing, harvesting salmon, the ethical harvesting of game and even surfing.
“We want to give youth the skills they would need to survive on the land, up in the mountains or on the ocean if they find themselves in trouble one day,” said Macdonald.
As a result the training the Rangers undergo is flexible and responsive to the community’s needs.
“There is no set training program – that is decided upon by the patrol leadership. If there are aspects that are important to the community, we can tailor the training specifically for them.”
He said two local Rangers will be appointed patrol leader and second-in-charge, supported by a committee made up of adult volunteers who will provide strategic direction.
He said most patrols set up set up regular meetings, typically once every two weeks or once a week, typically in the evening at a location decided on by the community.
The Rangers will go out on at least two field training exercises every year where they go camping out in the bush, undergo skill development and participate in fun activities.
The parents don’t have to make any financial contributions – the Rangers are provided with very simple uniforms, including pants, hoodies, toques and gloves.
To establish the patrol, Macdonald and his co-workers will be in Kitimat on Tuesday and Wednesday this week (January 30 and 31). On Tuesday there will be a presentation just for parents and guardians about the program, and on Wednesday a presentation for youths and their parents.
In order to join the program, a parent or guardian will have to attend and sign their consent.
Presentations on both days will be held at the Tamitik Sports Complex meeting room from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m
For parents who are unable to attend either presentations, or for more information, contact Capt. Macdonald on 250-208-2647.
