Lance Corporal Jason Adair (14) and Lance Corporal Craig Mooney (15) both pupils of Lisneal College and members of Caw Detachment along with Lance Corporal John Blair (15) a pupil of Strabane Grammar School and a member of Drumahoe Detachment are set for the six-week course.

They will join more than 300 Canadian teenagers as part of a group of only 24 cadets from all over the UK on an exchange visit with the Royal Canadian Army Cadets.

The three cadets were chosen for the Cadet Leadership Adventure Instructors Course after an exhaustive selection process in which they passed a series of interviews and fitness tests.

Whilst in Canada the cadets will all have to get used to walking as they get plenty of hiking experience, finishing with a five day expedition which will involve the cadets taking turns as the team leader, planning, briefing and navigating the team on different stages and tasks.

Highlights of the trip will include a midnight abseil, made possible by the 24 hour daylight in the Yukon, learning both to build a rope bridge and the waterman ship necessary to master the Canadian canoes over a 300km expedition.

L/Cpl Jason Adair said travelling to the Yukon promised to be the trip of a lifetime.

"I've been a cadet for two years now and have done many different and exciting things but this will no doubt be the best, I am really looking forward to the canoeing it sounds great," he said.

His colleague L/Cpl Craig Mooney said the adventure would no doubt be physically demanding.

"It's brilliant you get the chance to have a go at a white water rafting, but you don't do this until you have been well trained are ready for them.

"But it's not all plain sailing as you have to carry your canoe with all the kit inside around some of the more dangerous rapids."

When out on one of the three day expeditions the cadets will take part in an unusual tradition, they will celebrate Christmas on the 25th July when they decorate a tree and get served a meal by the Canadian senior cadets.

The cadets will also be able to complete the expedition part of their Silver Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme Award whilst in Canada, and it will also go towards their BTEC (NVQ) in Public Services which all cadets can achieve as members of the Army Cadet Force.