SeanFromCanada's Blog

Originally posted on 09.23.13

On Friday, September 20th, ten of my friends and family (and I) went to Canadian Forces Base (CFB) in Edmonton to participate in an experience I’d bought at the Kids Cancer Care Foundation “Quest for the Cure” event. I purchased the package in competitive fashion (definitely spending more than I had set out to that night). That was a good decision…it was one of the best days of my life!

The next series of blog entries will recount the experience, as well as some of the learnings and laughs the team and I had. It was an extremely physical and long day, but each activity was exhilarating, challenging and to be honest, fun. We jumped in parachute gear from their 32 foot training tower, we challenged the obstacle course, ate field rations, painted our faces, fired automatic weapons, hiked, were transported in armoured vehicles and raided an enemy force holed up in a mock village. It was truly an incredible day.

As we drove home from Edmonton on Friday evening, the group was totally exhausted, but we couldn’t stop recounting the experience. It was something special to see into the lives of these professional soldiers, and to experience the level of excellence it takes to walk among their ranks. As Canadians, we can be proud of these people – they are a fine representation of what we stand for.

Here’s a summary of what’s coming – though I might change things around as the writing starts:

1. Introduction to the Event
2. The Importance of History
3. It’s a Physical World
4. The Jump Suit – “There’s no such thing as ‘too tight’ in parachuting”…
5. The Obstacle Course
6. Lunch and Comment Cards
7. Weapons and Walking
8. The Firing Line
9. Equipment and Professionals
10. The Tin Can Ride
11. The Raid
12. The Paperwork
13. Back at the Base
14. Final reflections

Enjoy!