For Hanna Beaudry, the worst thing about six weeks at the Blackdown Cadet Training Centre was getting out of bed before 6 a.m. each day.
"That is definitely not something I liked," she said. "It was so hard to get up that early, especially for physical training. It never got easier, but everything else was amazing."
The outgoing and bubbly 15-year-old spent the last six weeks at Blackdown, located at CFB Base Borden, and graduated with thousands of fellow cadets last night. While she says she is excited about going home to Strathroy this weekend, she admits that leaving friends will be tough.
"It's hard to believe that its already time to go," she said, smiling. "It's been great. I'm going to miss everyone and everything. The structure has been great."
Beaudry and 15-year-old Jacqueline Burton, 15, became good friends during an 18-day field exercise - part of their expedition training.
"It was incredible," Burton said. "We were out there surviving for 18 days in a row. I think the most important thing was to look out for each other and work as a team."
Inspired by her "need" to outperform two older brothers who have also attended cadet training, Beaudry says six weeks away from home has been a great experience.
"I didn't know I could do it, but you really have to keep trying."
Like the vast majority of her peers, she is excited at the thought of returning home this weekend, but she is a bit emotional about leaving new friends and the daily challenges.
The base has been home to over 3,300 12 to 17 year old boys and girls, 240 staff cadets completing advanced training and 200 adult staff. Many will return next summer for more specialized training.
Graduation and awards ceremonies are always emotional events, says public relations spokesperson Shaun Noel.
"When they first arrive, we definitely have some homesickness and that is something that brings cadets together, so they can help and support each other.
"By the time we get to graduation . . . even with the 12-year-olds who have only been here for two weeks, we see tears. It's funny. They cry because they want to go home and then they cry because they want to stay."
For Mick Oliver, cadet camp is about discipline and challenge.
He rose to the personal challenge Thursday afternoon, scaling a wall on the obstacle course for the first time.
"It can be difficult at times, like that wall," he said. "For me the most important thing is the discipline. I've really enjoyed the whole program."
Blackdown offers army, air and sea cadet training and programs include general training, drill and ceremonial, survival skills, pipes and drums, fitness and survival skills.
Its a unique and challenging opportunity open to cadets from squadrons located all across the province.
Originally opened in 1946 as the Army Cadet Camp in Ipperwash, it was home to a select few training courses for army cadets. The centre moved to Borden in 1994 and each summer there are a number of modular tents for eating, sleeping and even showering.
It is the largest cadet training centre in Canada - with two sports fields, kitchen and dining hall, canteen, parade square, air rifle range, rope bridge and traverse course.
While many cadets grow up to choose careers with the armed forces, Blackdown is not a military camp.
"It's about confidence, citizenship and leadership," Noel explained. "Cadets learn new skills and then they take those leadership skills back to their communities. The training also teaches responsibility and the result is a lot of confidence."
For 12-year-old Riley Raymond, two weeks at Blackdown has been fun and meeting new friends was exciting, but that wasn't the best part.
"It was the food. I loved all the food and I can have as much as I want," he explained.
"At home I might be able to have just one bowl of cereal, but here I can have more cereal and wraps and other stuff. The food is great."
The enthusiastic cadet from Chatham is hoping to return next year for a three-week stay.
"For sure, of course," he said, smiling. "I can't wait to come back again and again."
