The school's Bush Ranger Cadet Unit was established in 1998, and each year takes between 90 and 130 cadets from Years 7 to 12.
The Unit meets on Monday afternoons between 3:00pm and 5:00pm, and all Cadets are expected to attend. Training ranges from camp craft and survival through to first aid, conservation and the ecosystems and environments of Western Australia.
Each year we undertake an ambitious camping program, with at least one camp per term, which has become one of the great strengths of our Unit.
It is roughly based on a two year cycle (meaning it is unlikely that we will camp in the same place in consecutive years), with plenty of adjustments to provide variety and to take advantage of opportunities. At the moment, our program looks like this:
Odd Years | Even Years | |
Term 1 |
Wellington Camp |
Boranup Camp |
Term 2 |
Leaning Tree Camp |
Very Big Rock Camp |
Term 3 |
Very Big Rock Camp |
Camel Soak Camp |
Term 4 |
Tree Camp |
Summit2Sea Camp |
We also have a few additional experiences, with one of them usually running each year - it means that most Cadets who stick with the program for a few years will get at least one opportunity to attend one of these trips during their time with the Unit. They are by invitation (based on effort and commitment), and easily the most amazing experiences we offer.
Working as a team with the Rangers in Shark Bay for a week.
Taking in Two of the most magnificent national parks in WA, Karijini gorges and the World Heritage listed Ningaloo Marine Park.
Working as a team with the Rangers in the Millstream Chichester National Park for a week to clean out Chirndawarrina Pool.
Working as a team with the Rangers in the Ningaloo Marine Park & Cape Range National Park near Exmouth for a week.
Community Service projects form an integral part of the Unit's work. Each of our camps will usually involve some form of work in the region we are visiting, some examples include:
We are also involved in projects nearer to the school:
Our Instructors
Our Instructors are largely volunteer teachers from Mount Lawley Senior High School. Over the years we have also incorporated local youth leaders and parents in our programs, as well as a number of past Cadets who have returned as Instructors. The Unit has been led by our School Chaplain, Andrew Paul, since 1998. Instructors have Working With Children Cards, and are trained in first aid.
Interested in Joining?
Talking to Andrew the Chaplain, or to someone who is already in the Cadet Unit, is a good way of finding out more about what is involved.
This service operates with the financial support of the Department of Local Government and Communities through the Cadets WA program, and is resourced and supported by the Department of Parks & Wildlife. |