What Junior Canadian Rangers do

Every Patrol’s training is unique, because the program can be customized by each community depending on the needs and interests of local young people, the specialties of the adult staff, and the resources available. In general, however, the Junior Canadian Ranger (JCR) program has three basic “circles” of training: ranger skills, life skills, and traditional skills.

Three circles of JCR training

Ranger skills

Ranger Skills are modeled after the training received by adult Canadian Rangers. These skills have to do with things like teamwork, leadership, surviving in the wilderness, and helping people in emergency situations. Which skills a Patrol will learn depend on the specialties of the Canadian Rangers in their community, but some Ranger Skills could include:

• First Aid training
• Learning to lead a team
• Hunting and fishing
• Safe firearms handling
• Navigating with a map, compass and GPS
• Safely operating a small boat, snowmobile or all-terrain vehicle
• Repairing small engines
• Tying knots and lashings
• Building an emergency survival shelter 

Life skills

Life skills training focuses on helping JCRs strengthen their personal resilience, develop healthy lifestyle habits, make positive choices, and become independent young adults. The Life Skills a Patrol learns will depend on the needs of the JCRs and their community, and might include things such as:

• Community involvement and citizenship
• Planning an activity or event
• Managing stress
• Healthy physical activity
• Resolving conflict
• How to handle bullying, harassment or abuse
• Helping a friend who is struggling with mental illness
• Parenting or baby-sitting skills
• Care and training of domestic animals (like dogs or horses)
• Being a good role model to other young people

Traditional skills

Traditional skills are chosen based on the culture and history of the area, and the talents and experience that community volunteers can bring to the program. Some examples of traditional skills could be:

• Art such as drawing, painting or carving
• Music, dance and drumming
• Historical hunting and fishing practices, such as archery
• Traditional sports or games
• Trades such as carpentry, cooking, or tanning
• Crafts such as beadwork that reflect community customs
• Practicing local or traditional languages
• Learning the history of the area from community leaders or elders

Field training exercises

A Field Training Exercise (FTX) is a chance for your Patrol to train “out on the land,” and practice the skills you have learned at regular meetings throughout the school year. Most patrols hold two FTXs per year.

An FTX usually takes place over a weekend, in a wilderness area near the Patrol’s home community. JCRs and their adult staff will travel to the FTX location with all of their equipment, often moving by boat, ATV, or snowmobile. JCRs may sleep in tents, or in shelters such as igloos, quinzees, or lean-tos. 

During the FTX, you will work together with your team to accomplish goals like building a shelter, starting a fire, or cooking a meal. There may be time for hunting or fishing, navigation training, or other on-the-land activities, as well as for telling stories around the campfire. An FTX is all about hands-on learning opportunities, and putting your skills to use in real-world situations.