What is Corps Cadets?

Hello!

Many of you may have heard of Corps Cadets, especially if you have been to Summer Carnival but what is Corps Cadets exactly? What does it mean to be a Corps Cadet?
Corps Cadets is the discipleship commitment of young Salvationists but how does it work? And what has it got to do with Jesus?

Many of the great Salvo officers, leaders, Generals and heros started out as teen Corps Cadets. The Corps Cadets program has been running for over a century, training young Salvos to work in their Corps and communities. Have you got what it takes?

First, let's have some fun! How many young heroes do you know? (Answers at the end of this blog post):

1. In the comics, who is Batman's teen sidekick?

2. What is the name of the young hero from the Transformer movies?

3. In the fantasy book, what are the names of the four children who venture into the land of Narnia through their wardrobe?

4. Who was the 16 year old girl who pioneered The Salvation Army in America?

5. Which pastor of the New Testament was known for his youth?

6. In the Bible, who is the young boy who killed the giant Goliath?

Movies, TV, books, even the Bible, often feature stories and examples of young people who have great adventures and commit themselves to a cause. Do you believe that young people can make a difference in their world? Could you devote yourself to learning more about God? Why? Why not? Feel free to share in the comments...

Here are some quotes taken from the Orders and Regulations of The Salvation Army (a set of information that tells us all about what The Salvation Army stands for):

What is a Corps Cadet?
'A Corps Cadet is a young Salvationist who undertakes a course of study and training in his own Corps in order to become more effective and efficient. The whole program is designed to enhance the value of their future service as a soldier, local officer or officer.'

So, in other words, a Corps Cadet is a young Salvo who wants to learn more about working in their Corps and community.

Who can be a Corps Cadet?
'A follower of Jesus over the age of 12 who is a junior or senior soldier of The Salvation Army is eligible to enter the Corps Cadets program. However, soldiership is not compulsory for all Corps Cadets. Any young follower of Jesus who is involved with a Salvation Army community, lives a Christian example and abstains from any unhealthy behaviour (i.e drugs, drinking, pornography) are welcome to the program.'

So, any teen soldier of The Salvation Army, or someone who wants to learn more about it, are welcome to become a Corps Cadet.

How does the Corps Cadets Program work?
'The Corps Cadets program is a group that meets together once a week to go through a class session. The sessions have themes with times of interaction, discussion, scripture and prayer. There are usually questions to answer in the workbook and mission tasks to perform during the week. The Corps Cadets program should also involve practical assignments, organised by leaders, such as tasks to complete in the Corps or the local neighbourhood. The program is run by a Corps Cadets leader, sometimes called a counsellor or a guardian.

The Corps Cadets program is a class-based group for young Salvos, but it can be much more than that. Corps Cadets can become a support group and a team of friends, learning together and working to make their world a better place...

Tomorrow we're going to see how Corps Cadets relates to Jesus but in the meanwhile...
Think about it. Pray about it...

Answers to the quiz...
1. Robin.
2. Sam Witwicky
3. Peter, Lucy, Susan & Edmund.
4. Eliza Shirley
5. Timothy
6. David.