Adventure Training

                                                           

The overall purpose of adventure training fits into the idea of the well-rounded cadet. This program gives the individual cadet the opportunity to experience things that they might otherwise not be able to participate in for reasons such as funding, lack of instruction, apprehension, or just no knowledge that the activity exists.

The purpose behind this program is to expose the individual to activities that provide entertainment, a sense of accomplishment and challenge, as well as a feeling of self-significance to a cadet who may not have had the opportunity. Adventure training is an effective technique to motivate a cadet and encourage the growth of self-reliance and confidence in the individual, as well as promoting good health, fitness and opening the doors of opportunity, possibly even starting a cadet on the path to a new and healthy hobby that will strengthen and improve their lives.

Other side benefits include stress reduction and knowledge of the natural environment. Also, this training, by challenging the individual to do things that that create anxiety, helps them learn to face and overcome personal fears and trepidations, teaching them to try and explore positive new challenges.

The first experience that adventure training exposes the Cadets to is the thirty-four foot jump tower. This tower is a training aid used by the military to simulate a parachute drop. This exercise not only builds confidence and teaches the cadet to face and overcome their fears, but it also teaches attention to detail and trust.

At the site, the cadets are rigged in a modified parachute harness, go through a series of practices simulating a parachute jump and are then fully inspected by a jumpmaster to insure safety. They then proceed up the tower to a height of thirty-four feet. At the top they are hooked to a sliding pulley system and jump. They then slide down a cable and are recovered on a raised mound. The cadets practice and develop teamwork in just the supporting of the exercise and also motivate and support one another as they watch their fellow students make their jump. It should be mentioned that the cadets also have a great time during this event.
 
After the jump tower event, adventure training takes an outdoor flavor, involving camping and other outdoor activities.

First and foremost, the obstacle course is a highly challenging and rewarding activity. This course puts the cadets to the test. The course is designed to require both individual and team effort. The cadets are guided through a series of physically and mentally challenging obstacles that test their fitness level and endurance. It promotes positive group work and is uniquely challenging to each separate individual, the cadets acquire a positive sense of accomplishment through hard work and cooperation. They also build a strong sense of Esprit De Corps and group identity.  A parallel benefit is that each individual gains a sense of worth within the team, and this enhances his or her self-image.

Cadets also receive wilderness survival training and take part in outdoor activities in many different environments. In the survival training class, Cadets receive instruction in shelter building, emergency preparedness, proper water and food procurement, signaling and rescue techniques, and animal and fish identification.

They also learn wilderness first aid, survival kit planning, and fire building. This class covers both summer and winter months to give a complete and well-balanced look into the subject matter. Cadets also receive training in outdoor camping with tents and long distance hiking.

During the summer months, Cadets conduct activities such as road marches, fishing in both streams and lakes, canoeing and swimming, orienteering with map and compass, gold panning, rappelling and climbing, knot tying, and animal and bird watching. This program also offers a hunter safety course for those who display an interest. 

During the winter months, the cadets receive training in cross-country and downhill skiing, and snowshoeing. They conduct several outings using both methods and these skills are usually incorporated into the activities that are planned. Other wintertime activities the cadets experience are ice fishing, sledding, and platoon winter Olympics games. These games involve team building competitions like Ahkio pulls, snowshoe baseball, and ski races.

All summer and winter outings are designed to improve the overall attitude and outlook of the individual cadet, reinforce positive growth and learning and assist in a positive manner the individual cadet's sense of self.