A delegation representing the Virgin Islands Cadet Corps is currently in Dominica attending a two-week Caribbean Cadet Corps Camp. Photo: GK

Some of the cadets, for the first time, experienced a river bath while in Dominica for the Caribbean Cadet Camp. Photo: Dominica Cadet Corps

The Virgin Islands will also attend the 38th Caribbean Cadet Commandants Conference at the Fort Young Hotel in Dominica from July 28 to 31, 2025. Photo: Dominica Cadet Corps

12 Cadet Corps from across the Caribbean are in Dominica for the Caribbean Cadet Corps Camp. Photo: GK

The camp, which began on July 19, 2025, at the Pierre Charles Secondary School in Grand Bay, Dominica, is being held under the theme ‘Impacting Lives, Soaring to a Better Future”. 

Speaking to Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) from Dominica, Warrant Officer Class 1 Jemron J. Delplesche said the VI contingent consists of 10, with 3 Adult Ranks and 7 Cadet Ranks. 

“We are here participating in several activities organised by the Dominica Cadet Corps in relation to the Army Proficiency Certificate- the certificate program that Cadets in the Caribbean participate in.”

These activities include drills, field movements, weapon handling skills, and adventurous exercises as the core part of the experience. 

Warrant Officer Class 1 Delplesche also said the camp provides for training in water safety, first aid and other civic subjects, which he explained “help to build capacity and leadership skills for young people.”

An ‘intriguing experience’

Arriving on Dominica last Saturday, Warrant Officer Class 1 Delplesche said the experience so far has been “intriguing”.

“Persons are experiencing things they might not have experienced in their cadeting career thus far,” adding, “The cadets are in high spirits, they’re enjoying the activities. Some of the cadets, for the first time, experienced a river bath a few days ago.”

Warrant Officer Class 1 Delplesche, overall, believes the VI cadets are enjoying the camp so far, including the training and the interaction with their counterparts from around the region, as well as getting to know the different cultures and practices of the countries represented at the camp. 

Other islands participating in the camp together with the VI and Dominica Cadet Corps are the Antigua Cadet Corps, Cayman Islands Cadet Corps, Jamaica Combined Cadet Force, Barbados Cadet Corps, Guyana Cadet Corps, Grenada Cadet Corps, Montserrat Cadet Corps, Saint Lucia Cadet Corps, St Vincent Cadet Corps, and Trinidad and Tobago Cadet Force. 

A road march through the streets of Dominica’s capital city, Roseau, is scheduled for today, July 25, 2025. 

38th Caribbean Cadet Commandants Conference 

The trip to Dominica is two-fold, as the 38th Caribbean Cadet Commandants Conference will also take place at the Fort Young Hotel in Dominica from July 28 to 31, 2025. 

The Training Officers and Commandants of the various regional Cadet Corps will come together at that conference. 

Warrant Officer Class 1 Delplesche will attend the Training Officers Conference, which is part of the upcoming conference. 

“The whole idea of the Training Officers Conference is to have training more synchronised in the region, so when the cadets gather for forums and activities like this, everyone would be able to operate at the same level, with the same knowledge and competency.”