Common menu bar links

Connaught National Army Cadet Summer Training Center (Connaught NACSTC) was established in 1989 to centralize and standardize army cadet marksmanship training. Cadets from across Canada receive top-quality instruction and guidance in the safe pursuit of Olympic style competitive marksmanship. The centre occupies a designated portion of Connaught Ranges in Nepean, Ont. near Ottawa.

Connaught NACSTC has several resident courses during the summer including Basic Marksman, Army Cadet Leader – Marksman, Army Cadet Leader Instructor Marksman, Army Cadet National Rifle Team, Air Cadet Introduction To Rifle Coaching Course and Army Cadet Leader Instructor Rifle Coach.

Connaught NACSTC is also home base for the Army Cadet International Exchanges that are a combination of cultural visits and physically demanding training. Army cadets from all parts of Canada gather at Connaught to prepare for these highly sought opportunities for travel abroad. Smaller groups travel to various overseas destinations, frequently including Finland, Austria, South Korea and Sweden as part of the International Army Cadet Exchange program. Larger groups include the Maple Leaf Exchange to England, Outward Bound Scotland, Outward Bound Wales, Germany and the USA.

The first stage of the marksmanship program is the three-week Basic Marksman course where the cadets learn and perfect basic marksmanship skills using the Daisy 853C air rifle.

The second stage is the six week Army Cadet Leader – Marksman course, consisting of 99 candidates from across Canada. They receive instruction on the 5.56 mm C11 target rifle together with concentrated leadership training.

The top 36 graduates of the course earn an invitation to the third phase, the Army Cadet Leader Instructor - Marksman course. This course familiarizes candidates with the 7.62 mm C12A1 target rifle, preparing them for extensive sport competition. They participate in various competitions including the Ontario Rifle Association matches at CFB Borden, Ont., the National Cadet Fullbore Competition (NCFC) and the Dominion of Canada Rifle Association (DCRA) Canadian Fullbore Rifle Championship (CFRC) at Connaught Ranges.

Those finishing in the top 18 of the Leader Instructor – Marksman course receive an invitation to join the three best competitors from the previous year’s National Rifle Team (NRT) for the forth stage. The NRT trains at Connaught before travelling to the UK to compete in the Inter Service Cadet Rifle Matches (ISCRM) and the Imperial Meeting hosted by the National Rifle Association (UK) in Bisley, England. The team then returns to Canada to compete in the NCFC and DCRA CFRC matches and to assist in coaching the ACLIM course.

In addition to these activities, Connaught also hosts 14 members of the UK combined cadets forces and the British Cadet Rifle Team. Connaught NACSTC also acts as the reception and support center for all Army Cadet Youth Incentive Program activities and provides logistical support to International Sea Cadet Exchanges.