Last month cadets from 163 (Coventry Phoenix) Squadron joined cadets from 8F Squadron for a bronze practice Duke of Edinburgh’s Award expedition at Wolvey.

The nine 163 cadets met at the campsite on Saturday morning, rucksack packed and ready to walk, in very heavy rain. Despite the miserable conditions, they were in good spirits. After meeting the cadets from 8F Squadron, they were split into 3 groups, issued their maps and were ready to walk – still in very heavy rain! The staff almost felt guilty putting on their kettle in the 12x12.

The motivation in each team remained high throughout the day and when they arrived back at the campsite in the evening, there was some rest bite from the weather as the tents were erected and the cadets cooked their evening meals. Each group then entertained the staff with their diaries and were debriefed on the day’s venture.

A soggy campsite met some tired faces emerging from their tents on Sunday morning. One or two cadets required a little extra encouragement in the morning but once they had enjoyed their breakfasts and their rucksacks were packed they set off for day two of their expeditions. Another successful day resulted in all the cadets being signed off as ready to embark on their assessed expedition, planned for Derbyshire in September.

Flt Lt Mandy Sinfield, 163 Squadron D of E Officer said, “the conditions were difficult this weekend, especially for some of the cadets who have never been camping at all before so they all did very well. There were some great characters who really kept all of the teams motivated. I would like to thank 8F Squadron for organising and inviting us on this weekend”.