Skip to content
12 Edmonton RCACS crest 12 Edmonton Royal Canadian Air Cadet Squadron

Keep the program strong

Support 12 Edmonton

Every cadet's place in the program costs something to run. Your support, whether through the Volunteer Bond, fundraising, donations, or volunteering, keeps the program strong for every family.

A 12 Edmonton cadet at attention in ceremonial dress in front of the colour party

Volunteer Bond

Volunteer Bond

The Air Cadet program is free to join, and uniforms are provided at no cost by the Department of National Defence. To fund a fuller program and keep it open to every family, the Squadron Sponsoring Committee invites an optional annual Volunteer Bond. The squadron's annual operating cost is roughly $80,000, not counting excursions and supplemental activities.

Optional Volunteer Bond: $150 CAD per cadet for the 2026-27 training year.

The bond is refundable through volunteer and fundraising efforts. It is optional, not mandatory, and no cadet is ever excluded for inability to pay.

Three ways to meet the bond

Pay it

Pay the full $150 per cadet and you are excused from any further fundraising commitment for the year.

Donate it

Donate the $150 to the squadron, receive a tax receipt, and keep supporting the squadron through volunteering and fundraising.

Earn it back

Meet the equivalent of the bond through volunteer hours or fundraising. The bond is refundable through these efforts. Contact the SSC for details.

What the bond supports

The bond helps cover costs that fall outside federal funding, including but not limited to:

Good to know

For how to pay, see the Payments page. Questions about the bond can go to the Sponsoring Committee at all@12aircadets.ca.

Donors

Charitable tax receipts

12 Edmonton is a registered charity and can issue official charitable donation tax receipts within the Canada Revenue Agency rules. The minimum amount for a receipt is $50.

What can be receipted

  • Cash or cheque donations of $50 or more, on request.
  • Gifts in kind, where accompanied by a purchase receipt or appraisal. Items valued over $1,000 require an independent appraisal, and the receipt reflects fair market value.

What cannot be receipted

  • Donated services or gift certificates (CRA does not allow these).
  • Tickets to fundraising events and golf tournaments.
  • Business sponsorships, which receive a letter of acknowledgment instead of a receipt, because the sponsor receives a promotional benefit.

Receipts are signed by the President, Vice President, or Treasurer, and the squadron keeps a copy on file. To request a receipt, contact the Treasurer at treasurer@12aircadets.ca.

Fundraisers

Fundraisers

The squadron runs several fundraisers each year. Taking part supports the squadron's operating budget and can count toward meeting your family's Volunteer Bond.

Air Cadet League cash calendars

Each calendar costs $20 and enters the buyer in daily cash draws ranging from $250 to $5,000. Families are typically asked to sell around three calendars each. Calendars can be purchased online through the Alberta Provincial Committee.

Alberta Cash Calendar raffle (APC)

Bottle drive

Bring the bottles and cans you would like to donate to the squadron on a parade night, and a Sponsoring Committee volunteer will take them to the depot and deposit the proceeds. You can also drop your containers at any bottle depot yourself and bring us the refund.

Donation letters

Each year the SSC prepares a template donation letter that families can use when approaching local businesses or community contacts. Contact the SSC for a copy.

Casino night

The squadron holds a licensed casino event approximately every two years. This is one of the highest-yield fundraisers and relies on SSC volunteers. Watch for announcements when the next casino is scheduled.

Canteen extras

The canteen carries a few useful items for cadets, such as boot bands and shoe-polish kits, depending on stock and inventory.

Dudz swag shop

Order 12 Edmonton branded clothing and accessories through the Dudz Teamwear online store. The squadron receives 10% of every purchase back as a credit.

Shop at Dudz Teamwear

In-kind donations

In-kind donations

The squadron also welcomes donations of goods and supplies. If you or your employer has surplus items in any of the categories below, please get in touch with the SSC.

To arrange a donation, contact the SSC at all@12aircadets.ca. For financial donations, the Air Cadet League of Canada provides a printable donation form: Printable Donation Form (PDF).

Get involved

Get involved: the Squadron Sponsoring Committee

The Squadron Sponsoring Committee (SSC) is made up of parent and community volunteers who handle fundraising, events, transportation, snacks, equipment, and logistics. The SSC is the civilian body that supports the officers so they can focus on training.

Volunteer roles and vacancies exist throughout the year. No special background is required. If you have time, a skill, or a connection that could help the squadron, the SSC wants to hear from you.

Monthly meeting with parents

Held after the CO's Parade on the first Wednesday of each month. The SSC and the Commanding Officer update parents on both sides of the squadron, and all parents are welcome. Check the weekly parent email for the exact date and location.

Annual General Meeting

The AGM is held once a year, near the end of the cadet year. Parents vote to keep the current committee in place or to elect anyone new who steps forward. New parents are especially welcome, and it is a good way to meet the team.

Contact the SSC

Email the SSC at all@12aircadets.ca to introduce yourself, ask about volunteer opportunities, or raise any committee business.

Governance

Governance

The SSC operates under the bylaws of the Air Cadet League of Canada and the Alberta Provincial Committee. The governing documents are listed below.

Links to the Air Cadet League bylaws and Alberta Provincial Committee policy documents will be listed here once confirmed.