Join the Junior Canadian Rangers

Want to join us? This section shows how to become a Junior Canadian Ranger (JCR), and what will be expected of you as a member of the program.

Who can be in the program?

JCR is open to all young Canadians who:

• Are between the ages of 12 and 18;
• Live in a northern, coastal or isolated area where the program is offered.

If you don’t know whether there is a JCR Patrol near you, you can search for a JCR Patrol, and find out when and where they meet.

Do I have to pay to join?

No. Membership in the program is free. We will provide you with a uniform, and lend you equipment for training. If you travel away from your community as part of the program, your travel expenses, meals and accommodations will also be covered.

How do I get started?

First, visit your local Patrol. You can talk to other people who are in the program and find out if it’s right for you.

If you decide you would like to join, talk to the Patrol Leader or another adult staff member. They will be able to give you an application form to fill out.

To sign up, you will need:

• A completed application form;
• A piece of ID with your birthday on it, like a birth certificate or a health card; and
• A parent or legal guardian to sign your application.

Once your application is complete, you can take part in Patrol activities, and you will be measured for your uniform!

What comes next?

Once you are officially a Junior Canadian Ranger, you will have a lot of great opportunities. You will meet new people, learn new skills, and experience new adventures! You will use your own unique talents and ideas to help your team accomplish goals and overcome obstacles. As you grow as a JCR and a young adult, you will also be able to help and mentor new members, and make them feel welcome in the Patrol.

With all these opportunities, though, you also have responsibilities. Every JCR who joins the program is expected to:

• Be kind and respectful to others
• Learn and follow the rules of the Patrol and the JCR program
• Be dependable and reliable
• Listen to adult staff and senior JCRs
• Be a helpful, encouraging team player
• Own up to mistakes, and learn from them
• Set a good example for others in the community
• Maintain a safe training environment, both emotionally and physically

What about leaving the program?

You can remain a member of the Junior Canadian Ranger program until your 19^th birthday. At 19, you are too old to be a JCR, but you may choose to remain involved with the program as an adult staff member or volunteer.

Although we would like to see every JCR stay in the program until they turn 19, you are free to leave at any time. If you decide to leave the program, please let your Patrol Leader know.

In some circumstances, a Patrol Leader may choose to remove a JCR from the program. This can happen in situations where a JCR engages in behaviour that is dangerous or harmful to others. The Patrol Leader will try to help correct the negative behaviour before removing a JCR, because if you are removed from the Patrol, you will probably not be allowed to rejoin.