Navy League of Canada - Lakehead Branch

06/11/2026

Our Navy League Cadets did a march past for the branch during our AGM this evening. Looking sharp after launching only 2 months ago!

05/31/2026

Bravo Zulu to all our Fort William Sea Cadets on a fantastic training year and amazing Annual Ceremonial Review. You make us so very proud to support you on your leadership journey.

05/06/2026

A great big thank you to all our volunteers who helped in making this happen. We could not have raised these funds without you. Your dedication to the program is very much appreciated.

Thank you to Superior Shores Gaming Association for giving us the opportunity to volunteer for such a wonderful organization.

04/13/2026

04/10/2026

I have been involved with the Lakehead Branch for more than 13 years, serving as Branch President and Vice President for much of that time. About ten years ago, I shared a vision for our Branch to establish a Navy League Cadet Corps (NLCC), a vision that was embraced by many members, including our then Vice President, Lawrence Prystanski, who would later serve as President.

We called it Project 2020, with the goal of standing up NLCC Lightning by September 2020. (Yes, the name was always going to be Lightning - after all, with another NL

CC in town called Thunder, what else could it be?) We gave ourselves four years to raise the necessary funds, above and beyond what we were already raising to support 309 Fort William. At the time, the Branch was strong, committed, and energized. We had several successful years of fundraising and worked diligently toward bringing a new Corps to life. Lawrence and I were deeply committed to leading the Branch through this ambitious goal.

Then 2020 happened and everything came to a grinding halt.

Like so many volunteer organizations, our membership numbers declined sharply. Then tragedy struck even closer to home. Lawrence became ill and, after a courageous battle with cancer, passed away. Coming out of the pandemic, the Branch had been reduced to just myself and our Treasurer (thank you, Becky, for standing by when things were at their hardest). We did everything we could to keep going, continuing to pay the bills and support the Fort William Sea Cadet program through the strength of the fundraising efforts made in the years leading up to 2020.

With both the Corps and the Branch in need of rebuilding, and with our focus firmly on keeping 309 RCSCC Fort William running, starting a new NLCC was no longer a priority. At that point, I truly believed it might never happen.

Then Natalie S. Mercier joined the Branch.

From the very beginning, Natalie brought energy, commitment, and a genuine desire to help rebuild. As a former Navy League officer herself, it didn’t take long before she shared her hope of seeing another NLCC established in Thunder Bay. I told her about Project 2020. That conversation proved to be a turning point.

Since then, we have built a new team of dedicated volunteers, restored a solid financial footing, and this week, launched NLCC Lightning, with Natalie proudly serving as its first Commanding Officer.

Words cannot fully express how meaningful it is to finally see this vision realized. Lawrence, this moment is dedicated to you. I only wish you were here to share in the joy of it.

Craig Murphy
Branch President

Pictured: Fundraising with Lawrence Prystanski (L)

04/09/2026

⚡ What an incredible first night for NLCC Lightning! Our officers and cadets brought the energy, enthusiasm, and teamwork as the Lakehead Branch’s newest youth leadership program officially got underway. Bravo Zulu to everyone who helped make Night One a huge success — this is just the beginning!

04/08/2026

First parade night has begun! 18 cadets on parade.

Open to ages 9 to 11. Join anytime.

04/06/2026

Have a child aged 𝟵-𝟭𝟭? Come check out 𝙉𝙖𝙫𝙮 𝙇𝙚𝙖𝙜𝙪𝙚 𝘾𝙖𝙙𝙚𝙩 𝘾𝙤𝙧𝙥𝙨 𝙇𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙣𝙞𝙣𝙜 and see what all the excitement is about! ⛵

🗓 Wednesday Evenings
⏰ 6:30PM - 8:30PM
🏫 Pope John Paul II School (205 S. Franklin St)
📄 Bring: Birth certificate + health card

𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺
The Navy League Cadet Program welcomes youth aged 9 to 11 to participate in engaging, naval themed activities that are both fun and educational. The program is independently operated by the The Navy League of Canada and supported by hundreds of dedicated volunteers nationwide. Today, more than 𝟯,𝟬𝟬𝟬 𝗡𝗮𝘃𝘆 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗴𝘂𝗲 𝗖𝗮𝗱𝗲𝘁𝘀 are active in over 𝟭𝟬𝟬 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗰𝗿𝗼𝘀𝘀 𝗖𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗱𝗮.

The program is designed to help young Canadians develop essential life skills, including 𝗰𝗶𝘁𝗶𝘇𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽, 𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗺𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸, 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗳 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗶𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲. Through age appropriate programming, cadets build confidence, independence, and an increased awareness of the world around them. Cadets learn how to work effectively with others, overcome challenges, and demonstrate positive leadership. Participants leave the program with a strong sense of community responsibility and the skills needed to become active, engaged citizens.

𝗘𝘅𝗰𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗢𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀
Navy League Cadets can participate in a wide variety of hands on activities that promote learning through experience, including 𝘀𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴, 𝗰𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗴, 𝘀𝘄𝗶𝗺𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴, 𝗺𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗰, 𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘀, 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗱𝗲𝘀, 𝗳𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝗮𝗶𝗱, 𝘄𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝘀𝗮𝗳𝗲𝘁𝘆, 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗼𝗿𝗴𝗮𝗻𝗶𝘇𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗽𝘀. With such a diverse range of opportunities, there is something for every cadet to enjoy and explore.

𝗧𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗶𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁
Our corps (pronounced “core”) will meet 𝗪𝗲𝗱𝗻𝗲𝘀𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 at 𝗣𝗼𝗽𝗲 𝗝𝗼𝗵𝗻 𝗣𝗮𝘂𝗹 𝗜𝗜 𝗦𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗹 from 𝗦𝗲𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 𝗝𝘂𝗻𝗲. In addition to weekly parade nights, cadets may also take part in occasional 𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗸𝗲𝗻𝗱 𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗽𝘀 throughout the year.

𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺 𝗖𝗼𝘀𝘁
Program costs are covered by the 𝗟𝗮𝗸𝗲𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗕𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗵 through local sponsorships and fundraising efforts. 𝘾𝙖𝙙𝙚𝙩𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙞𝙧 𝙛𝙖𝙢𝙞𝙡𝙞𝙚𝙨 𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙚𝙭𝙥𝙚𝙘𝙩𝙚𝙙 𝙩𝙤 𝙥𝙖𝙧𝙩𝙞𝙘𝙞𝙥𝙖𝙩𝙚 𝙞𝙣 𝙛𝙪𝙣𝙙𝙧𝙖𝙞𝙨𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙖𝙘𝙩𝙞𝙫𝙞𝙩𝙞𝙚𝙨.

Uniforms are provided by the Navy League of Canada; cadets are responsible for maintaining their uniforms and returning them when they leave the program.

03/30/2026

While we wait to compile a list of uniform sizes to order for all our new NLCC Lightning cadets they will each receive a corps t-shirt and ballcap upon registration to wear every week during the startup of our program!

Registration is 7pm this Wednesday, April 1, 2026 at Pope John Paul II school, 205 S. Franklin St. and is open youth ages 9 to 11.

More info: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1DTDfMwHeD/

03/26/2026

⚡ 𝗡𝗟𝗖𝗖 𝗟𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝘀 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝗹𝗮𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗵! ⚡

Got a child aged 𝟵-𝟭𝟭 who loves adventure, teamwork, and trying new things? Come check out 𝗖𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗱𝗮’𝘀 𝗻𝗲𝘄𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗡𝗮𝘃𝘆 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗴𝘂𝗲 𝗖𝗮𝗱𝗲𝘁 𝗖𝗼𝗿𝗽𝘀 and see what all the excitement is about! ⛵

📍 𝗥𝗲𝗴𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗡𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁
🗓 Wednesday, April 1, 2026
⏰ 7:00 PM
🏫 Pope John Paul II School (205 S. Franklin St)
📄 Bring: Birth certificate + health card

Parents and kids are invited to come learn more and register for the inaugural intake of NLCC Lightning. Adventure, confidence, and community start here! ⚓✨

The weekly program night (called Parade Night) will be every Wednesday from 6:30pm – 8:30pm at Pope John Paul II school, starting April 8, 2026.

𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺
The Navy League Cadet Program welcomes youth aged 9 to 11 to participate in engaging, naval themed activities that are both fun and educational. The program is independently operated by the The Navy League of Canada and supported by hundreds of dedicated volunteers nationwide. Today, more than 𝟯,𝟬𝟬𝟬 𝗡𝗮𝘃𝘆 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗴𝘂𝗲 𝗖𝗮𝗱𝗲𝘁𝘀 are active in over 𝟭𝟬𝟬 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗰𝗿𝗼𝘀𝘀 𝗖𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗱𝗮.

The program is designed to help young Canadians develop essential life skills, including 𝗰𝗶𝘁𝗶𝘇𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽, 𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗺𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸, 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗳 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗶𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲. Through age appropriate programming, cadets build confidence, independence, and an increased awareness of the world around them. Cadets learn how to work effectively with others, overcome challenges, and demonstrate positive leadership. Participants leave the program with a strong sense of community responsibility and the skills needed to become active, engaged citizens.

𝗘𝘅𝗰𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗢𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀
Navy League Cadets can participate in a wide variety of hands on activities that promote learning through experience, including 𝘀𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴, 𝗰𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗴, 𝘀𝘄𝗶𝗺𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴, 𝗺𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗰, 𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘀, 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗱𝗲𝘀, 𝗳𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝗮𝗶𝗱, 𝘄𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝘀𝗮𝗳𝗲𝘁𝘆, 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗼𝗿𝗴𝗮𝗻𝗶𝘇𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗽𝘀. With such a diverse range of opportunities, there is something for every cadet to enjoy and explore.

𝗧𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗶𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁
Our corps (pronounced “core”) will meet 𝗪𝗲𝗱𝗻𝗲𝘀𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 at 𝗣𝗼𝗽𝗲 𝗝𝗼𝗵𝗻 𝗣𝗮𝘂𝗹 𝗜𝗜 𝗦𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗹 from 𝗦𝗲𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 𝗝𝘂𝗻𝗲. In addition to weekly parade nights, cadets may also take part in occasional 𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗸𝗲𝗻𝗱 𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗽𝘀 throughout the year.

𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺 𝗖𝗼𝘀𝘁
Program costs are covered by the 𝗟𝗮𝗸𝗲𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗕𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗵 through local sponsorships and fundraising efforts (SHOUT OUT TO Superior Shores Gaming Association).

𝘾𝙖𝙙𝙚𝙩𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙞𝙧 𝙛𝙖𝙢𝙞𝙡𝙞𝙚𝙨 𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙚𝙭𝙥𝙚𝙘𝙩𝙚𝙙 𝙩𝙤 𝙥𝙖𝙧𝙩𝙞𝙘𝙞𝙥𝙖𝙩𝙚 𝙞𝙣 𝙛𝙪𝙣𝙙𝙧𝙖𝙞𝙨𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙖𝙘𝙩𝙞𝙫𝙞𝙩𝙞𝙚𝙨. Uniforms are provided by the Navy League of Canada; cadets are responsible for maintaining their uniforms and returning them when they leave the program.