DUNNVILLE—This past Saturday, January 27, 2024 the Berrean East Cadets Corp held their annual Snow Derby.
Due to the weather, a different location was chosen because of the significant mud and water where it is typically held in a bush or forest; this year was more of a parking lot derby as it was held at a local school.
Just under 200 boys, Grades 4-8, were in attendance from Dunnville to St. Catharines. On the day of the event, the boys had their winter survival skills tested.
Opening exercises was first on the agenda. We had all the groups line up and say their motto, pledge, the pledge to flag of Canada, and their verse. After this was done, the cadets had to do several different exercises:
Fire Building: the cadets had to explain how to use a hatchet and demonstrate how to properly build a fire using as few matches as possible, and also explain what fire is best for which situations.
Compass: the boys had to properly use a compass on a pre-built course using different coordinates, then answer questions about how to use a compass and also name the four cardinal points and their degree readings.
First aid: the boys had to answer many different questions on how to do a primary and secondary survey and also had to demonstrate CPR on a patient that would have been hypothetically found unresponsive in a bush during winter.
Shelter building: in this exercise the cadets had to demonstrate proper knot tying techniques in order to build a shelter to keep them out of the elements of the winter months.
Mystery: every year a new mystery event is brought forth. In years prior we have done archery and axe throwing. This year’s event was using a sling shot. The boys took five paintballs each and had to aim carefully to knock down the targets.
Once all the events were completed it was time for lunch. Three hot dogs were provided per boy with a side of “cadet soup”.
Cadet soup is amazing, delicious, and full of sodium – it always tastes great. The cadets, upon arrival, each submit one can of soup; what kind, what brand, and how big doesn’t matter.
All that matters is nothing cream of anything. The cooking crew then opens all the cans of soup, mixes them together, and uses an oar to mix it.
After lunch we had closing ceremonies. Awards were given to the groups that scored best throughout the day.
