The Nelson air cadets recently welcomed 25 cadets from Nova Scotia who were visiting the area as part of the inter-provincial cadet exchange program.
The cadets and staff of 561 Osprey squadron (Nelson air cadets) did their best to pack a diverse range of activities in to the Nova Scotians four-night visit. The two squadrons went to Ainsworth Hot Springs, Touchstones Museum, the Memorial Internment Centre in New Denver, Kaslo, Selkirk College aviation, the Doukhobor museum, Celgar pulp mill, Rossland museum and the Creston Wildlife Management area. The squadrons also met Mayor John Dooley of Nelson and Mayor Lawrence Chernoff of Castlegar.
“We couldn’t have packed more into this trip to show us the cultural and geophysical differences between Nova Scotia and this area,” said Captain Keith Odlin of the 689 Handley Page squadron in Parrsboro, NS.
Although Odlin said he was “very, very happy” when he learned his squadron would be visiting Nelson, he admitted, “I didn’t know where it was,” and had to look it up.
“It is huge to come all the way across the country,” he added.
The cadets from his squadron shared Odlin’s enthusiasm for the trip.
Nova Scotia cadet Luke Gillis called the Nelson area an “awesome place.” He noted that the mountains are “really high. We have nothing like that in Nova Scotia.”
Cadet Taylor Smith said, “I have not been this far from Nova Scotia. Everyone has been really nice.”
The visiting squadron was a Brazilian exchange student, Andre Galveo, who came with them. His enthusiasm was slightly tempered. When asked to describe Nelson, he replied, “mountains, snow and cold.”
The Nelson air cadet squadron has participated in the inter-provincial cadet exchange program as both hosts and guests. In March, the Nelson cadets visited Brantford, Ontario and the surrounding vicinities.
Anyone between the ages of 12 and 19 can check out the cadets. The Nelson air cadet squadron meets on Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m. at the Eagles Hall. For general information about the cadets, visit bc.aircadetleagueofcanada.ca. For information about the local air cadets, call 250-505-5024.