St. John Ambulance Youth Group

Youth Group

DID YOU KNOW?

the St. John Ambulance Brigade has programs for everyone from six years of age and up?

The Youth Program is for young people age 6 to 21. The York Region branch has three Youth Groups - Newmarket 910c, York South 829c and York East 1192c.

St. John Juniors (Age 6 to 10) - focuses on fun, health, home safety skills, caring for others and making friends

Cadets (Age 11 to 15) - provides training in Emergency First Aid, encourages the expansion of personal skills and knowledge through the Proficiency Program, and teaches the importance of team work

Crusaders (Age 16 to 21) - provides more advanced patient care training, places an emphasis on individual leadership qualities, and encourages community service

At age 16, Crusaders have the following options:

1. Become an adult member of an adult division.
2. Become an adult member as an officer in a St. John Ambulance youth program, or
3. Maintain Crusader status until age 21 and then transfer to the adult division.

How much does it cost to join?

St. John Ambulance is a no cost volunteer group.

Can anyone join?

Juniors, Cadets and Crusaders are for all boys and girls who are interested in making new friends, learning about first aid and community service

When do we meet?

Each group meets weekly throughout the school year.

Can I get more information?

Of course! Give St. John Ambulance a call at 905.508.8777 or 1.800.268.1677.

I am interested. How do I get started?

Our Youth Groups are very popular programs with limited enrolment based on the number of adult leaders that are available. When you call our office, we will advise you whether or not there is space in the program. If the program is full, we will put your name on our waiting list and call you as soon as a space opens up. We accept children at any time throughout the school year as space allows.

Then, come out for one evening and see how you like it. We're sure you'll want to come again!

ST. JOHN AMBULANCE CADET PROGRAM OVERVIEW

Every Cadet/Crusader who is given the opportunity will want to work toward the highest of all cadet awards - THE GRAND PRIOR'S BADGE. This award is so highly regarded that it is presented in some provinces by the Lieutenant-Governor. It is the only Cadet award, which may be worn on the St. John Ambulance uniform as long as the individual is a member of the Brigade.

Cadets and Crusaders work toward their Grand Prior's Badge by developing their knowledge and skills in a number of proficiency subjects. The subjects have been divided into seven categories:

A: Knowledge of the Order of St. John
B: Hobbies
C: Outdoor Activities
D: Sports and Physical Fitness
E: Health and Safety
F: Community Service
G: Communications

A total of twelve proficiency subjects are required to qualify to receive a Grand Prior's Badge. At least one subject in each of the above categories must be completed. Some requirements will be satisfied by instruction within St. John Ambulance. Others will be satisfied through resource people from the surrounding community. Certificates of recognition are provided upon the completion of each subject. A Cadet/Crusader can earn as many as four certificates per year.

The Youth Component

The Youth component of St. John Ambulance in Ontario is broken down into three age groups: Juniors (ages 6-10), Cadets (ages 11-15), and Crusaders (ages 16-21). The youth program encompasses a wide variety of subject matter, including patient care. It is comprised of three equal elements, Patient Care training, the Proficiency (Badge) Program, and the Social/Fun activities.

The objectives of the Brigade with respect to Cadet and Crusader Divisions are:

To provide opportunities for the youth of Canada to learn and practice patient care skills and other subjects conducive to the training of good citizens;
To encourage young people to follow the way of life exemplified in the Cadet Code of Chivalry;
To develop the spirit of combined effort while giving due consideration to the personality of the individual Crusader/Cadet;
To promote a healthy lifestyle;
To encourage among young people a full and enterprising use of leisure by providing all the facilities of a national youth organization; and
To lay foundation for membership in the Adult component of the Brigade.

1. Juniors Ages 6 - 10

The Junior program is designed for our newest and youngest members. They learn home safety skills, how to make new friends, and much more. While having fun and earning badges, they learn about the rest of the organization and why we care for each other.

2. Cadets Ages 11 - 15

The Cadet program picks up where the Junior program left off. Each Cadet is trained in Emergency First Aid, but that is only 1/3 of the program. Cadets work on Proficiency Subjects that broaden their knowledge and give them new challenges. Fun activities are interspersed into the training activities in order to round out the program and keep them interested. Cadets are taught the importance of working in groups, while giving due attention to individual growth and input. Some Cadets will excel and take on junior leadership roles. Cadets may participate at public service events under the guidance of MFR volunteers providing support to administrative and promotional activities: communication activities; and client reception activities. Cadets must re-qualify annually in Emergency First Aid and attain sixty hours of service.

In Ontario the social part of the Cadet program includes activities like camping, swim nights, skate nights, video nights, dances, and field trips.

The Proficiency Badge Program offers each Cadet and Crusader the opportunity to learn new skills in a wide variety of subjects (i.e.: Canoeing, International Friendship, Handicrafts, Team and Individual Sports, Computer Science, Natural History, Drama and many more) in seven different categories. Once a member has completed 12 proficiencies over a minimum of a three year period, including at least one proficiency from each category, they can apply for their Grand Prior's Badge. This award is presented annually by the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, and is considered the highest award a Cadet or Crusader can achieve. The Grand Prior's Badge is also the only youth badge which may be worn on the Adult uniform.

The role of a leader in a Cadet Division is to assist in the development of today's youth in a manner that promotes a strong team spirit, while assisting each member to grow individually. In order to be effective each leader must be a role model, and lead by example. This means that the leaders in a Cadet Division have to be highly dedicated and possess a wide variety of skills.

3. Crusaders Ages 16 - 21

Crusaders carry on with the Proficiency Program taking on bigger challenges which will hopefully culminate in the highest achievement; The Grand Prior's Badge. Crusaders continue to develop First Responder skills. Crusaders are encouraged to go out on duty and perform service in their local communities. Their leadership skills are stimulated by providing them with increasingly greater tasks. They too have fun by participating in the same activities as the Cadets. Crusaders are taught to be able to communicate and work with adults, peers and younger members.

For more information, contact 905.773.3394.