This week ASM Zahra has been working with several students to prepare for an April trip to Woodstock, VA to take part in the Raider’s Challenge with cadets from Massanutten Military Academy. 

The Raider’s Challenge is a popular competition among US junior army cadet program that tests physical fitness, survival skills, military tasks and a mental challenge. RLA students have been travelling to Massanutten Military Academy annually for many years. In return, Massanutten cadets come to Niagara each year to take part in our Fall Exercise.  

This week the students learned how to make an improvised raft out of a poncho, ensuring they can keep their belongings dry when faced with a water crossing and no bridge. They then tested their work in the back pond. Those ponchos can also be used to create improvised sleeping structures, which the boys also learned this week.  

On a rainy Friday morning the boys were also tested on building a fire using one of three methods: flint and steel; battery and steel wool or a single match. In the rain, most boys chose flint and steel. Once they managed to start a fire and keep it burning for five minutes, they passed the fire building test.  



ASM will continue to work with interested students over the next couple of weeks before choosing the team that will travel with him to Virginia to test their skills.