General Info

The Royal Canadian Army Cadets is the oldest youth organization in Canada! We trace our origin to the year 1862, five years before confederation, when “associations for drill and musketry” were formed in schools in response to Fenian raids. In those days, drill was not just a parade square exercise but the method of manoeuvring on the battlefield. In 1887, the government began issuing arms and equipment to schools that agreed to form drill associations, now called “Cadets Corps.” By 1908, the government was training teachers as army reserve officers to conduct physical training, drill, and musketry in schools. Provincial departments of education agreed to encourage cadet training, and this partnership contributed to the development of physical education programs in Canadian schools. The Canadian Cadet Organization, which includes Royal Canadian Sea, Army, and Air Cadets, enrols both males and females and currently enrolled are about 70,000 cadets across Canada of which 25,000 are army cadets! 2551 RCACC was formed on April 2, 1955 as 2551 Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry Cadet Corps. In October of 1968, our affiliation changed from the Princess Patricia’s to the Canadian Airborne Regiment when the “Pat’s” left Edmonton and the Airborne arrived. Our Corps then became 2551 1st Canadian Airborne Regiment Cadet Corps. We are one of the few corps to have their affiliated unit’s title incorporated in their official title. We were also the only cadet corps to be affiliated with the Airborne. In 1968, Norwood Legion Branch #178 became a financial sponsor. When the Airborne got disbanded, the Corps’ affiliation was assumed by the 3rd battalion of the Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry on June 4, 1996. Since then, the Corps has been known as 2551 Princess Patricia Canadian Light Infantry Cadet Corps and is the only cadet corps associated with the jump company of the 3rd battalion.