Cadet Leadership Camp

Building Skills, Confidence and Resilience

During the Term 2 break, the Kinross Wolaroi School Cadet Unit (KWSCU) held its annual Cadet Leadership Camp. Over five days, students immersed themselves in a challenging and rewarding program designed to prepare them for leadership roles within the Cadet Unit and beyond. Reflections and quotes throughout this article come directly from cadets who took part in the camp.

The Cadet Leadership Camp exposed cadets to a wide range of activities from the Australian Army Cadet Training Program, equipping them with the knowledge and practical skills needed to successfully complete Cadet Leadership Courses.

During the camp, cadets took part in:

• Navigation
• Drill
• Communications
• First Aid
• Leadership
• Training and Assessments

Learning to Lead

The camp was not only about technical skills but also about personal growth. One of our student Company Commanders reflected:

‍“I wanted to take part in this camp to not only improve my leadership skills but also learn from other leaders within the course. Becoming a Cadet leader was a great way to give back to the Kinross Cadet Unit whilst challenging myself, meeting new people and learning how to work as a team.”

Communication emerged as a critical leadership skill. One cadet shared:

‍“I really learned the importance of communication—making sure that you lead with clear instructions so that everybody knows what’s going on and feels in the loop.”

Facing Challenges Together

The camp pushed cadets out of their comfort zones through activities that demanded teamwork, resilience and problem-solving. One participant noted:

‍“Though the rank were all very skilled at drill, I found it hard to direct and teach them in a way that everyone could understand easily. However, with the support of my syndicate and the teachers we were able to teach all the courses properly and execute an amazing parade.”

Practical problem-solving activities such as the minefield challenge and sculpture-making task also left a lasting impact. As one cadet explained:

‍“Having the ability to work as a team, communicate and resolve situations can be used broadly outside of the course—an amazing skill to have both in and outside the field.”

Advice for Future Leaders

When asked what advice they would share with next year’s cadets, the response was clear:

‍“Approach all aspects of the camp with a positive mindset and a willingness to get outside your comfort zone and try something new.”

A Challenging, Rewarding Experience

The Cadet Leadership Camp was described as demanding, but one that students found highly worthwhile:

‍“The Cadet Leadership Camp was a challenging, yet rewarding experience tha ttaught me resilience, teamwork and respect for the Australian Army Cadet Unit.”

Through structured training, teamwork and lived experiences, the Cadet Leadership Camp once again played a vital role in developing the next generation of confident, capable leaders at Kinross Wolaroi School.

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