5001-0 Supervision of Cadets

Cadets and Junior Canadian Rangers Group Order (CJCR Gp O)

1. Identification

Date of Issue: 2021-06-08

Date of Verification: 2025-10-08

Application: This is an order that applies to members of the Canadian Armed Forces, and a directive that applies to civilian instructors, Cadets and Junior Canadian Rangers Group Volunteers, and employees of the Department of National Defence employed in the Cadets and Junior Canadian Rangers Group, and cadets registered in the Cadet Program.

Supersession: National Cadets and Junior Canadian Rangers Support Group Order 8012-0, Supervision of Cadets and CANCDTGEN 10/23, Amendment to CJCR Gp O 5001-0, Supervision of Cadets – Authorized Unsupervised Travel of Cadets Aged 16 Years and Older.

Approval Authority: This order is issued under the authority of the Commander Cadets and Junior Canadian Rangers Group.

Office of Primary Interest: Deputy Chief of Staff – Personnel

Enquiries: Cadets and Junior Canadian Rangers Group J1

2. Abbreviations

Abbreviation	Complete Word or Phrase
AOR	Area of Responsibility
ARA	Authority, Responsibility and Accountability
CAF	Canadian Armed Forces
CI	Civilian Instructor
CJCR Gp	Cadets and Junior Canadian Rangers Group
CO	Commanding Officer
COATS	Cadet Organizations Administration and Training Service
Comd	Commander
CTC	Cadet Training Centre
Mov O	Movement Officer
OIC	Officer in Charge
OPI	Office of Primary Interest
QR (Cadets)	Queen’s Regulations and Orders for Canadian Cadet Organizations
RCSU	Regional Cadet Support Unit

3. Definitions

Authorized Cadet Activity.

An authorized cadet activity is an activity for cadets that has been authorized by the chain of command through the submission of a training plan and/or an activity request. It includes any CJCR Gp approved travel/movement/transportation from a rally point (e.g., corps/squadron location, Regional Training Establishment, CTC) to the designated activity location, and back to the rally point. For insurance purposes, an authorized cadet activity includes any travel/movement/transportation to and from the authorized cadet activity.

Civilian Instructor.

See QR (Cadets), section 1.02.

CJCR Gp Volunteer

See QR (Cadets), section 1.02. Supplemented by the following: the term volunteer applies to a CAF member when not on paid service, or a CI when not receiving pay; a volunteer is authorized by a corps/squadron, CTC or RCSU CO; and a volunteer is screened by the CJCR Gp.

Senior cadet.

A senior cadet is a cadet who is at least 16 years of age, at the minimum rank of Petty Officer Second Class/Sergeant, and has completed the Phase 3, Silver Star or proficiency Level 3 training programs. A staff cadet, as defined in QR (Cadets) is a senior cadet.

Supervisor.

A member of the CAF assigned as a supervisor in accordance with orders issued by the CDS, in particular a COATS member when on paid service; or a CI when receiving pay.

Visitor.

An individual present at an authorized cadet activity who is not a supervisor, a CJCR Gp Volunteer, or a cadet.

4. Policy

Context

• 4.1 The National Defence Act, section 46, states that the Minister may authorize the formation of cadet organizations “under the control and supervision of the CAF.” QR (Cadets), section 2.30, states that the CAF is responsible for the provision of “control, supervision and administration of cadet corps…” Through the CDS Directive on CAF Command and Control of the CCO and the COATS Reserve Force Sub-Component, 2 February 2018, the CDS has delegated the control and supervision responsibilities to the Comd CJCR Gp who has ARA for the cadet organizations on behalf of the CAF.

Policy

• 4.2 To meet the CAF statutory authority and the responsibilities of control and supervision of cadets, all authorized cadet activities will be supervised at all times by at least one supervisor.
• 4.3 Supervisors and those assisting with supervision must avoid one-on-one interactions with cadets in any location where they cannot be seen or heard by others. This includes situations such as counselling and conducting interviews.
• 4.4 A supervisor must remain at an authorized cadet activity site until all cadets have departed. A cadet will not be left unsupervised at an authorized cadet activity site at any time.
• 4.5 A supervisor must be appointed by an OPI, OIC, CTC CO, corps/squadron CO or RCSU CO. The supervisor retains ARA over the authorized cadet activity on behalf of the corps/squadron CO, or RCSU/CJCR Gp HQ CO.
• 4.6 In addition to COATS members and CIs on paid service, when and where appropriate, or if required by the nature of the authorized cadet activity, a CAF Regular Force member or Primary Reserve member on paid service can be appointed to act as a supervisor.
• 4.7 CJCR Gp Volunteers and senior cadets can only assist with supervising at authorized cadet activities that are under the supervision and direction of a supervisor. CJCR Gp Volunteers and senior cadets are not to be appointed as supervisors.
• 4.8 Careful consideration must be given, when planning authorized activities, for opportunities to foster inclusion and leverage diversity within CJCR Gp. To support this, efforts should be made within the selection process for overnight activities, to ensure that collectively: supervisors, CJCR Gp Volunteers, and senior cadets leading cadet activities are representative of the participants present at the cadet activity and within the Cadet Program. This would include providing opportunities for staff that are members of employment equity groups to be represented as supervisors: Women, 2SLGBTQIA+, Indigenous Peoples, Persons with Disabilities, Visible Minorities.
• 4.9 The number of supervisors, CJCR Gp Volunteers or senior cadets supporting an authorized cadet activity must be sufficient to ensure the safety, good discipline, and well-being of all participants. It must be based on the capability to satisfy the following requirements:
  1. be compliant with the minimum supervision requirements outlined in this order;
  2. the ability to respond to and manage emergency situations;
  3. the capacity to provide support, including taking reasonable steps to protect the health, safety, and well-being of cadets, and staff within their care. This includes demonstrating continued support during and after incidents involving harmful and damaging conduct; and
  4. the capacity to conduct, administer, and support the authorized activity.
• 4.10 Any deviation from this policy will require approval from Comd CJCR Gp.

Requirements

• 4.11 All supervisors and CJCR Gp volunteers involved in the conduct of an authorized cadet activity will be screened in accordance with CJCR Gp O 5010-0, Adult Screening.
• 4.12 A CAF member when not on paid service, or a CI when not on paid service, and is under the direction and control of the designated paid supervisor are considered to be a CJCR Gp Volunteer.
• 4.13 Visitors permitted by an OPI, OIC, CTC CO, corps/squadron CO, RCSU CO or a supervisor to attend an authorized cadet activity must be under the control of a supervisor.
• 4.14 An OPI, OIC, CTC CO, corps/squadron CO, RCSU CO, or a supervisor may restrict a visitor’s access to an authorized cadet activity and ask them to leave the location, if they are hindering the supervision of cadets, the conduct of the activity or for any other safety or security reason.
• 4.15 Third party individuals or services must not be supervisors and must not be counted as part of the minimum supervision requirements. Their role is that of a subject matter expert for the authorized cadet activity only. The CAF supervision responsibility cannot be delegated to a third party.
• 4.16 Every effort must be made to promote a culture where all people feel welcomed, valued, respected, connected, and safe physically, psychologically, and emotionally, in an environment free from all forms of discrimination, abuse, inappropriate conduct, and damaging behaviour. Supervisors are to foster an inclusive environment where all people may feel empowered to be their authentic selves; safe and comfortable to demonstrate gender identity and their choice of gender expression.
• 4.17 In addition to the supervisor, there must be additional supervisors, CJCR Gp Volunteers, or senior cadets at each location of an authorized cadet activity that occurs at multiple sites. Examples include an activity at a drill hall/armoury/school, the surrounding sports field, and the supply located in an annex to that building or participation in a Poppy Campaign that has multiple locations. The supervisor must ensure that supervision occurs at all locations/sites. If the OPI, OIC, CTC CO, corps/squadron CO or RCSU CO determines that proper supervision cannot be maintained by a single supervisor, they will appoint additional supervisors for the authorized cadet activity. A supervisor may request to the chain of command to have additional supervisors appointed.
• 4.18 While at any CTC or locally, area, regionally, nationally directed activity, cadets are to be supervised while undergoing training and during recreational/off hours in accordance with this direction. During recreational/off hours cadets must be able to quickly locate an adult supervisor in the event of an emergency.
• 4.19 The introduction of Cadet365, and the extension of CJCR Gp information technology platforms and devices to cadets, means that supervision of cadets now extends to virtual platforms. Supervision includes any online program, resource, or service that is provided by CJCR Gp, but especially those that incorporate online interactions between cadets, staff, and the public. CJCR Gp staff are required to promote and maintain a cybersafe environment, to protect CJCR Gp information assets and to react to situations such as cyberbullying, phishing, social engineering, and other online threats that could affect cadets. There are no circumstances where a cadet, or group of cadets, should have access to an online platform, resources, or Team where a staff member does not also have access, or is not a member or moderator.
• 4.20 Behavioural expectations as outlined in CJCR Gp O 5019-6, Codes of Conduct are also applicable in these CJCR Gp online platforms. Expectations for users of virtual platforms are outlined in CJCR Gp O 6003-2, Acceptable Use of Virtual Engagement Platforms. In all cases, supervisors are required to ensure these expectations are followed on all CJCR Gp online platforms.

5. Minimum Supervision Requirements

• 5.1 Supervision will never be less than the minimum requirements listed below, regardless of location or type of training or activity. If the minimum supervision requirements listed below are not sufficient to satisfy the requirements listed in paragraph 4.9, the OPI, OIC, CTC CO, corps/squadron CO or RCSU CO must increase them accordingly.

Day Activities in Canada

• 5.2 For every authorized cadet activity in Canada where no overnight stay is required, the following are the minimum supervision requirements:

Number of Cadets	Supervisor	Additional Supervisors or CJCR Gp Volunteers or Senior Cadets	Total	Maximum Number of Senior Cadets
1–14	1	0	1	0
15-29	1	1	2	1
30-59	1	2	3	1
60-89	1	3	4	2
90-119	1	4	5	2
120-149	1	5	6	3
150-179	1	6	7	3
180-209	1	7	8	4
210-239	1	8	9	4
240-269	1	9	10	5
270-299	1	10	11	5
Above this number, for every 30 cadets, additional support supervisors, volunteers, and/or senior cadets will be as follows:
+1-15	0	+1	0	0
+16-30	0	+2	0	1

Overnight Activities in Canada

• 5.3 For every authorized cadet activity in Canada where an overnight stay is required, the following are the minimum supervision requirements:

Number of Cadets	Supervisor	Additional Supervisors or CJCR Gp Volunteers or Senior Cadets	Total	Maximum Number of Senior Cadets
1–29	1	1	2	0
30-44	1	2	3	1
45-59	1	3	4	2
60-75	1	4	5	2
75-89	1	5	6	3
90-104	1	6	7	3
105-119	1	7	8	4
120-134	1	8	9	4
135-149	1	9	10	5
150-164	1	10	11	5
Above this number, for every 30 cadets, additional support supervisors, volunteers, and/or senior cadets will be as follows:
+1-15	0	+1	0	0
+16-30	0	+2	0	1

Activities Conducted Outside of Canada

• 5.4 For every authorized cadet activity conducted outside of Canada, the following is the minimum supervision requirements:

Number of Cadets	Supervisor	Additional Supervisors or CJCR Gp Volunteers	Total	Number of Senior Cadets*
1–29	1	1	2	0
30-44	1	2	3	0
45-59	1	3	4	0
60-75	1	4	5	0
75-89	1	5	6	0
90-104	1	6	7	0
105-119	1	7	8	0
120-134	1	8	9	0
135-149	1	9	10	0
150-164	1	10	11	0

• 5.5 *A senior cadet can assist in supervision of authorized cadet activities outside of Canada but will not be counted toward the minimum supervision requirement.

Foreign Cadets on International Exchange in Canada

• 5.6 When hosting foreign cadets on international exchange in Canada, the supervision requirements for overnight activities in Canada will be followed. Foreign supervisors accompanying their cadets will be counted toward the overall supervision requirements. Overall responsibility for supervision of foreign cadets rests with their foreign accompanying officers. However the CAF responsibility while on Canadian soil remains extant as the OPI.

Technical or High Risk Activities

• 5.7 When training, safety orders, or instructions call for more restrictive supervision requirements to conduct the authorized cadet activity than the minimum supervision requirements in this order, the greater of the two will apply. This may include activities such as dinghy sailing, expeditions and abseiling. This would also apply to activities involving cadets with participation limitations needing enhanced supervision requirements.

Movements – DND or Local Committee/Cadet League Chartered

• 5.8 The use of existing DND chartered transportation remains the primary option when coordinating transportation for cadets. There will be at least one supervisor or CJCR Gp Volunteer per DND or Local Committee/Cadet League chartered bus or plane while cadets are travelling to and from an authorized cadet activity. Prior to boarding and once cadets arrive at the authorized cadet activity, the minimum supervision requirements of day activities in Canada must be met.

Movements – Commercial Providers

• 5.9 RCSUs may use authorized commercial modes of transportation including buses, trains, airlines, maritime travel (ferry or water taxi), taxi, airport shuttle, or limo services in order to transport cadets to and from cadet activities..
• 5.10 The RCSU J4 Mov O is responsible to organize and coordinate the supervision of cadets while en route. The following guidelines will apply:
  1. the only situation not requiring higher approval where a cadet may be left without supervision is when on board a plane or ferry. Train and bus transportation require point-to-point supervision;
  2. cadets will be accompanied by a supervisor up to, and from the boarding gate;
  3. if there are layovers and/or transfers en route, a supervisor will be designated at each layover and/or transfer point;
  4. cadets must travel in uniform in order to be easily identified by commercial transport personnel and RCSU J4 Mov O designated supervisor;
  5. all supervisors will be briefed on the duties and responsibilities required to supervise cadets;
  6. supervisors must be easily identifiable to cadets meaning CAF members will be in uniform or have their ID visible;
  7. supervisors will only be relieved of their duties at airports, bus and train stations, and ferry terminals when they have taken all reasonable means to ensure that the transport has departed;
  8. supervisors must inform the RCSU J4 Mov O if transport is delayed or moved ahead by one hour or more;
  9. cadets travelling across two or more RCSU’s AOR or travelling alone must be provided a copy of the telephone numbers of each of those RCSU J4 Mov Os;
  10. the RCSU J4 Mov O is responsible for ensuring that all cadets are supervised at the air, bus, train, and ferry terminals within their AOR;
  11. when cadets are travelling to or through another region, the receiving RCSU J4 Mov O must be advised at least 72 hours prior to the date of arrival and departure. This is required to provide the necessary time to plan and arrange for the support and supervision; and
  12. to ensure the safe transport and transfer of cadets, RCSU J4 Mov Os are required to be in constant communication with each other. Short notice changes must be communicated by telephone, not by email.

Supervision Exceptions During Cadet Travel

• 5.11 CJCR Gp will make every effort to ensure that cadets are supervised at all times during travel to and from cadet activities, on all Department of National Defence (DND) and commercial modes of transport. However, circumstances may arise where a cadet may need to travel unsupervised for a portion of their journey.
• 5.12. Circumstances may arise where point-to-point supervision of a cadet while on a commercial mode of transport may not be possible, and a RCSU may need to consider having a cadet travel unsupervised. A RCSU may authorize a cadet to travel unsupervised when the following conditions are met:
  1. the cadet is a minimum of 16 years of age;
  2. the RCSU J4 Mov O obtains the written consent of the cadet’s parents/guardians for the unsupervised portion of the transportation plan;
  3. the parents/guardians, cadet, and the RCSU J4 Mov O agree that the cadet will have little to no difficulties with travelling unsupervised and there is a low risk of the cadet disembarking at the incorrect location;
  4. a method of communication and regular status checks between the RCSU and the cadet is pre-established, and must include:
     1. the RCSU J4 Mov O providing the cadet with emergency contact information of the RCSU and Cadet Training Centre transportation staff that will support the cadet during their travel; and
     2. the RCSU J4 Mov O obtaining the cadet’s or parents’/guardians’ contact information to facilitate status checks while the cadet is en route.
  5. the cadet will be supervised by a Canadian Armed Forces member or Civilian Instructor at specific points along their travel route such as:
     1. the point of departure;
     2. any location where the cadet will have a transfer or layover; and
     3. the final point of arrival.
• 5.13 When a cadet is authorized to travel unsupervised, the RCSU will ensure that appropriate CJCR Gp personnel are informed of which cadets are travelling unaccompanied and ensure the itineraries, cadet contact information, and parent/guardian contact information is shared as appropriate.
• 5.14 RCSUs will make every effort to pre-purchase tickets and meal vouchers for cadets travelling unsupervised and will forward the tickets and vouchers to the cadet prior to their travel dates. If this is not possible, cadets and their parents/guardians will be provided with individual authorization and direction to purchase necessary tickets and meals during their travels, and the cadet will be reimbursed by the RCSU for the actual cost of the tickets and meals as soon as practical.

6. Exceptions

• 6.1 Any instance where the minimum supervision requirements during an authorized cadet activity are not met, an exemption must have prior approval by the Comd CJCR Gp. In such cases, the RCSU must contact the participating cadets’ parent/guardian to inform them of the supervision situation and seek their consent for their cadet to proceed in writing. The RCSU will then contact the CJCR Gp J1 to seek Comd CJCR Gp approval.

7. Publication

Frequency of Publication

• 7.1 A periodic review of CJCR Gp Os will be initiated every three years, or more frequently if necessary.

Errors/Omissions or Suggestions

• 7.2 Users of CJCR Gp Os are encouraged to identify any errors, omissions, or suggested orders to the attention of CJCRPol-PolCRJC@forces.gc.ca.

8. References

Source References

• CDS Directive on Command and Control of the Canadian Cadet Organizations and COATS Reserve Force sub-component 2 February 2018 (You are now leaving Canada.ca. Link accessible only on the DWAN)
• NDA
• QR (Cadets)

Related References

• CJCR Gp O 5010-0, Adult Screening
• CJCR Gp O 5530-1, Civilian Instructor Management