Minister tours 1st Junior Canadian Ranger summer camp program

Sandra Kelly, Minister of Youth Services and Post-Secondary Education toured the first Junior Canadian Ranger summer camp program (JCR) held at Square Pond Park near Gander yesterday.

"I am really impressed with this program," stated Minister Kelly. "It offers youths from some of the most isolated rural communities in the province the opportunity to participate in organized youth activities that are not normally available in their communities. This program could become an important component of youth diversity in rural communities and I look forward to working with program organizers through the Department of Youth Services and Post-Secondary Education to ensure its continued success in the province."

The seven day camp included instruction on small craft water safety, first aid, map and compass, global positioning systems, all terrain vehicle safety, air rifle marksmanship, rope knots, and lashings and repelling. Some 48 youths from across the province attended the camp at the Square Pond Park location. 

"The Square Pond Park area was an ideal location for this particular event," stated Minister Kelly. "The facilities were ideal for all camp activities and its close proximity to Gander allowed for tours of the Air, Sea and Rescue Program and other programs of interest. By all accounts, the camp was an overwhelming success and will be the first of many to be offered in the province."

The JCR program was initiated in the Atlantic Canada area in 2000 and parallels the cadet movement. The program is open to youths ages 12-18 and is most often located in smaller isolated communities where other organized youth activities are not available. JCR patrols are active in five communities in Labrador and two on the island of Newfoundland. The main goals of the JCR program are to improve the self-esteem of participants, to help them learn how to handle increased responsibility and to help them better understand and connect with their communities. 

Further information on the program can be obtained at www.dnd.ca.

Media contact: Janice Lockyer, Communications, (709) 729-5730.

2001 08 02                                                   8:50 a.m.