On Sunday, the Bermuda Cadet Corps began its Annual Training Camp at Warwick Camp.

The two-week programme will include some 200 Bermudian cadets and 25 visiting Cadets from Canada. The group will participate in a variety of military, cultural, education, and community-based training activities.

The annual training camp is a "graduation'' for the Cadet Corps programme, which runs for the duration of the school year and requires a two-hour-per-week scheduled commitment.

The upcoming fortnight has been designed to reinforce the concepts learned throughout the year.

Deputy Commander of the Cadet Corps Major Gareth Brangman, said: "We hope to bring together a very good corps.'' Activities for the fortnight will include a church parade on July 5 at Astwood Park, Warwick, and an open house and prize presentation at Warwick Camp on July 11. Cadets will also practise their arms skills.

The Cadet Corps caters to youngsters of middle and secondary school age, after which they can enter the Bermuda Regiment.

In-house programmes are offered through select schools, including CedarBridge Academy and Berkeley Institute. Students not attending the select schools can enter the programme directly through the Bermuda Regiment in September.

With the recent education restructuring plan, the entering age for the Cadet Corps has been lowered from 13 to 11. Major Brangman regards this as a step up.

"It provides a positive influence to children at a younger age,'' he said.