CADET ACTIVITIES - D&G FOR REMAINDER OF TRG YR 2021-2022

Sent on the authority of the A/CO RCSU Central
 
Intended for wide distribution to all Central Region Areas offices, CC/Sqns and Cadet Training Sites
 
While an updated COVID-19 posture directive is anticipated to be released by CJCR HQ in the near future, the D&G below is provided in advance of the Area Deconfliction meetings with cc/sqn Trg Os to address potential questions pertaining to planning and conduct of training through the balance of this training year. Updates will be issued as further direction is received and/or as conditions evolve.
 
Refs: A. CJCR Dir for Sustained Trg Activities in a COVID-19 Environment (2021-2022 Posture), dated 29 Oct 21
B. RCSU Central Trg Dir 2021-2022
 
1. As directed in ref A at para 11, sub a, “(1) overnight training for cadets is not authorized at this time”; verbal advice from CJCR HQ has indicated this will remain extant in the updated CJCR COVID Posture anticipated for release in the coming days / weeks.  Therefore requests for overnight activities will not be approved at the corps / squadron level for the remainder of the Trg Yr ending 30 June 22.
 
2. Where return to in-person training is authorized, Corps/Squadrons are encouraged to plan three single-day activities from their elementally defined ten supported days of mandatory / complementary training.
 
3. Cc/sqn participation at Cadet Training Sites (CNS/CES/CFS):

a. no corps nautical training days / weekends are being scheduled at CNS in Spring 2022 (focus is on staff qualifications and currency);

b. Silver/Gold Star Expedition Trg day activities (not weekends) are being planned at those CES supporting Areas identified for Spring 2022 dates in TY21/22 Trg Dir;

c. no squadron gliding days are being scheduled at CFS in Spring 2022 (focus is on staff qualifications and currency); and

​d. direction regarding potential Air Ops conducted and / or SSC-funded Power Famil Flying is forthcoming, more to follow under SEPCOR.  

4. Cc/sqns should not be planning to conduct any training where cadets are expected to stay overnight. The following considerations shall be observed in planning of supported day activities:

a. activities should be planned within the local community or its immediate vicinity. Preference should remain parent drop-off / pick-up (one-way drive should not exceed 30-40 min), but busing is authorized (one-way drive time not to exceed 60-90 min);  

b. lunch is authorized and may be provided IAW Area office SOPs (MREs are only authorized for designated activities);  

c. where a supported full-day activity is scheduled into the evening, a supper meal may be authorized in addition to lunch;  

d. field stores and other training equipment are available and approved IAW local Area office SOPs (see note at para 5 below);  

e. prioritize activities that are well-suited to be conducted within COVID-19 posture directives (outdoor activities continue to have lowest transmission risk);  

f. choose activities that will be most engaging to cadets, will best meet the current needs of the cc/sqn to rebuild skills, confidence, and competencies necessary to regain peak effectiveness next fall (leadership, team-building, fitness, instructional techniques, etc.) and that may assist in attracting and retaining new cadets; and

g. pace yourselves (remember crawl, walk, run), and plan for a steady, progressive and sustainable return to training: now is not the time to burn out staff and/or senior cadets by trying to do too much.  

5. Many of the Warehouses are currently short staffed, and much of the equipment has sat unused for two years. It is recommended support requests be for limited quantities to instruct and demonstrate use of kit only. Ordering a few extra to ensure serviceability is advised. Kit should be inspected carefully prior to use, and some local maintenance may be required (greasing stove / lantern pumps, cleaning / surface rust removal from grills, changing out batteries and cleaning contacts/terminals from crystalized batteries where they were left in, etc.) There may be isolated instances where kit was returned in poor condition and irreparable damage has resulted (a tent returned even slightly damp two years ago may have mildew or rotted out). Ensure any unserviceable items are identified to warehouse staff by segregating from serviceable kit and properly tagging for repair or disposal. Note that warehouses supporting summer training will cease support to cc/sqn training in early to mid-June. If equipment support is critical to the activity, schedule it for May and submit CSAR ASAP. Do your part to assist Warehouse staff so they can focus on providing customer service, and not fixing problems and chasing admin requirements: 

a. take proper care of all equipment on loan, track/account for all items and maintain good equipment storage and control throughout activity;  

b. use equipment properly and only in the manner it was intended;  

c. ensure all equipment is returned clean, dry and serviceable – exactly how you would wish to receive it;  

d. if any equipment has snags or is accidentally damaged, keep it separate from serviceable kit and clearly identify it to WH staff upon return (recovery for loss / damage only occurs in cases of extreme negligence); and  

e. at your cc/sqn, ensure quarterly SNAC reports and regularly scheduled periodic / handover stock taking are completed and submitted on time.  

6. Optional training is authorized at cc/sqns, and requires in-person activity approval. No support is provided, but the same planning factors apply as identified in para 4 sub a & e-g above. LSA should be the first and preferred means to fund any optional training activity.
 
7. Direction on fundraising activities and approval process have been disseminated separately.
 
8. RDA / NDA activities including the modified marksmanship competition series will continue. Other activities organized at the Area and Regional level, to include some CAF famil activities and ACAD, are also possible. Intent remains to conduct the National Army Cadet Expedition in the late summer period, and to conduct additional sailing skill / racing skill / race coach development sessions in place of the provincial and national Sea cadet regattas (with the intent of fostering the skills and competencies necessary to return to the full provincial and national regatta format in summer 2023).
 
9. There will be no Band and Drill Competitions this TY.
 
10. The Col Perron fitness awards will not be presented this TY.
 
11. No recreational trips and no cadet international travel is authorized this TY.
 
12. Canteens may be operated at cc/sqn following local and / or Ontario PHMs and will be restricted to offering pre-packaged commercially prepared food and sundry items.
 
13. League / Sponsor volunteers are permitted to be in attendance at facilities during cadet activities (where permitted by respective League policy and subject to any restrictions the building owner / operator may have in place), but must be counted within any building / room capacity limit. Note the supervision requirements for visitors and guests, and that only screened CAF Mbrs and approved CJCR volunteers may supervise cadets or be in contact with cadets without supervision.
 
14. Visitors to in-person activities must be identified as part of the activity approval process and must follow the necessary PHMs and wear NMMs, as required, to the same standard established for CCO personnel and cadets. Visitors must be escorted / under the supervision of a screened CAF mbr or approved CJCR volunteer.
 
15. RCSU COs have the authority to manage local representation of corps and squadrons at community events in their area of responsibility. These can be approved through the in-person training approval process.
 
16. RCSU COs have the authority to approve ceremonial events. While ceremonial parades such as Changes of Command, promotions and awards are an important part of the cadet program culture, large gatherings such as these continue to represent a risk of virus transmission. Note that the CAF is not currently conducting parades or ceremonial events, and current PHM require cadets to be formed up with 2m spacing with drill restricted to movements at the halt.  At this time, ceremonial events will only be considered on a case by case basis, and approval would be the exception. Further information will be provided when parades and ceremonies are more likely to receive approval.  This does not preclude simple presentation of an award or promotion in front of a gathering of unit members, providing 2m physical distancing is maintained and masks are worn if indoors. Note that any family / friends that are not part of the cc/sqn would be visitors, and their attendance subject to para 14 above.
 
17. Updated CJCR COVID-19 posture direction is anticipated to be released shortly. All cadet activities in Central Region must currently include the following measures:

a. Screening. Prior to departing home for any in-person activity, all adult personnel and cadets must complete the Ontario COVID-19 Self-Assessment Tool: https://covid-19.ontario.ca/school-screening/ (regardless of screening result, anyone feeling unwell shall not attend an in-person activity);

b. Masks (indoors) are required to be worn for all indoor activities with very limited exceptions (if a cadet or adult staff member reports that they cannot wear a NMM due to health restrictions, their in-person participation will be restricted to virtual activities only):  

(1)“indoors” includes vehicles, tents, shelters and any space enclosed by a roof and more than two walls;
 
(2)masks may be removed indoors while adhering to other PHM when one is alone;
 
(3)masks may be removed by active participants in the cadet fitness assessment as long as enhanced distancing (3m) is maintained;
 
(4)masks may be removed on breaks for the purpose of eating and drinking with all seated and distanced 2m; and
 
(5)masks may be removed for playing wind/brass instruments, IAW guidance on music training;

c. Masks (outdoors) are required to be worn outdoors whenever 2m distancing cannot be maintained;  

d. Vaccination status:  

(1)all adult personnel (to include CIs and CJCR volunteers) must have attested to full vaccination status to participate at in-person cadet activities; and
 
(2)cadets do not require vaccination to participate in cc/sqn activities, except those activities conducted at a facility where the facility owner/operator requires users to be fully
vaccinated. CCO members will comply with vaccination requirements that may be in place at federal or independent facilities, and provide proof of vaccination (QR code vaccine passport) as may be required by the facility operator. Proof is required upon each entry, and records of vaccine passports are not to be retained by the cc/sqn;

e. Occupancy limits. Occupancy in buildings and in any room within a building is limited to a number that allows for 2m physical distancing to be maintained;

f. Physical distancing of 2m must be maintained to the greatest extent possible;  

g. Avoid situations involving close contact, enclosed spaces with poor ventilation and any crowded spaces where many people gather;

h. Overnight training is not authorized at the cc/sqn level;

i. Transportation.  Due to the heightened risk travel poses, the following guidelines will be adhered to when cadets and staff are being transported by means other than a personal motor vehicle (PMV):  

(1) Non-medical masks (NMMs) shall be worn in all non-PMVs when there is more than one occupant in the vehicle;
 
(2) additional alcohol-based hand rub (ABHR) and disposable NMMs will be available on all vehicles used for the transportation of cadets and staff;
 
(3) cadets and staff will sanitize hands and don NMMs (if not already donned) prior to loading vehicles and shall sanitize hands immediately after disembarking the vehicle and prior to removal of NMM;
 
(4) meals/snacks should not be consumed in transit. If travelling over a meal hour, the trip should be planned so that the meal can be consumed outside the vehicle where physical distancing can be maintained;
 
(5) vehicle loading capacity will be IAW existing policy direction under the authority of the providing support Base Commander for DND vehicles, and the supplying bus company / operating company for contracted / leased buses and coaches; and
 
(6) DND/contracted vehicles used for passenger transportation will be cleaned / sanitized in accordance with the most stringent current guidance issued by either Transport Canada, the Public Health Agency of Canada, Local Base Transportation section or applicable provincial / territorial health / transportation authority;

j. Music Training may be approved for in-person delivery with the following restrictions:

(1) Indoors. When it is necessary to rehearse indoors, large spaces (i.e., arenas, drill halls, gyms, etc.) are preferred;
 
(2) where smaller indoor spaces (i.e. classrooms) must be used, adequate air ventilation is required;

(3) indoor rehearsals are limited to a maximum of 30 minutes per session. A session is a single period without breaks when musicians are meeting or playing their instruments in an individual location;

(4) an break interval of a minimum 30 minutes duration must occur following any indoor rehearsal session before any subsequent session may be conducted. During this 30-minute break between sessions, all members must leave the room that was used, and allow for at least one complete air exchange cycle;

(5) during rehearsals (both outdoor and indoor), a minimum physical distance of 3 metres must be maintained from any wind / brass instrument;

(6) when establishing physical distancing, the size and ‘bell orientation’ of the instrument must be considered, as follows:

A. for instruments with forward facing bells, such as trumpet, trombone, saxophones, the minimum 3-metre distance is to be measured from the bell of the instrument; and

B. for larger instruments, such as tuba, baritone, bagpipes, more space may be required;

(7) for indoor rehearsals, face masks are not required to be worn by musicians playing wind instruments once they are stationary and minimum physical distancing has been established. Those not playing wind instruments will still wear masks during indoor rehearsals;
 
(8) mouthpieces are not to be shared and should be regularly cleaned and disinfected;
 
(9) woodwind / bagpipe reeds and instrument cleaning supplies (i.e., swabs, pull-throughs, etc.)  are not to be shared;  

(10) instruments should not be shared. If there is a need to transfer an instrument from one cadet to another, it must first be properly cleaned;  

(11) instrument spit valves are not to be drained onto the floor during an indoor rehearsal. To catch the contents of spit valves, disposable absorbent pads, towels or other receptacles must be used;  

(12) bell covers will be used on brass instruments; but

(13)‘Bag Covers’ with hand openings for wood wind instruments are not required.
 
18. Questions should be addressed to the applicable OC, through Z Trg O or applicable CNS/CES/CFS OIC.