Dominica hosts Caribbean Cadet Camp and Commandants’ Conference for the first time

For the first time in its history, Dominica will host the prestigious 38th Annual Association of Caribbean Commandants’ Conference alongside the Caribbean Cadet Camp. The camp will run from July 19 to August 2, 2025, while the conference is scheduled for July 28 to 31, 2025.

This landmark event will bring together over 300 cadets and officers from across the Caribbean for two weeks of youth development, cultural exchange, and leadership training under the theme: “Cadetting – Impacting Lives, Soaring to a Better Future.”

The camp is based at the Pierre Charles Secondary School, with the official opening parade set for Sunday, July 20 at 3:00 p.m. at the Geneva Playing Field in Grandbay. Participating countries include Dominica, Jamaica, St. Vincent & the Grenadines, Barbados, Grenada, St. Lucia, Montserrat, Guyana, Cayman Islands, British Virgin Islands (BVI), Bahamas, and Trinidad & Tobago. Dominica is represented by approximately 50 individuals, while each visiting country has sent 12 cadets and 2 officers.

“The Caribbean Cadet Camp has been held in several countries across the region, and this year Dominica is host for the very first time,” said Colonel Joseph Raymond, Commandant of the Dominica Cadet Corps while addressing media representatives at a press conference at the Cadet Headquarters in Roseau. “The idea of the camp is to allow our youth throughout the region to get to know one another, to travel, to gain experiences in different cultures and territories, and to expose themselves to the same type of training that we are giving them.”

According to Colonel Raymond, cadet training across the region is standardized. He added that cadets benefit from experiences that build leadership, military discipline, disaster management capabilities, and public speaking skills.

Colonel Raymond also shared that the Dominica Cadet Corps is engaging with the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).

“As Chairman of the Caribbean Cadet Association, when we meet we discuss ways and means to improve the Cadet program throughout the region, unify our training and our relationships,” he said. “We see that we need to have an imprint in CARICOM, as CARICOM shares similar ideas as the association.”

He noted the organization is also exploring ways to recognize academic and athletic achievements among cadets and to reward volunteers and officers.

Lieutenant Colonel Fitzroy Leon, Adjutant/Deputy Commandant of the Dominica Cadet Corps, outlined key camp activities including shooting and drill competitions, and an orientation exercise. He pointed out that the camp’s focus will be on cultural exchange rather than formal training.

“One of the highlights is a march in the streets of Roseau on Friday, July 25 at 10:00 a.m.,” he said. “The purpose is to promote cadeting and to showcase the impact and future of the organization ahead of our recruitment efforts in September.”

Lieutenant Colonel Leon also provided details of the Commandants’ Conference, which will be held at the Fort Young Hotel, beginning July 28 at 9:00 a.m.

“This conference is going to show record numbers. At this point, we have 32 participants—the most we’ve ever had,” he said, adding that the Bahamas will take part in the conference for the first time. The conference theme is “Empowering Our Youths.”

The event, which is held every two years, was last hosted in Jamaica in 2023.