During the period 18th to the 20 th April 2008 2007 Cadets and Staff from 2028 (Southam) Squadron travelled to the Forest of Dean in Gloucestershire for their D of E Bronze Expedition. The weekend, run by Staff from 2028 Squadron, began with the Cadets travelling from the Southam on the Friday evening and setting up their Camp Site near Drybrook. CI Rogers, 2028 Squadron's D of E Officer, met them at the Camp Site and briefed them all on the two days navigation exercise to follow on the Saturday and Sunday. After setting up their tents and settling in they made their own evening meals and went to bed.

On the Saturday morning the Cadets woke early, had their breakfast and after packing their tents and kit set off on their navigation exercise by 8am . The Cadets made fairly good time and navigated themselves through several check points stopping only for a top up of water and a snack. Although they made a number of navigational errors along the way, they always managed to find the staff and arrived back at the Camping Site by 4.00 pm where they spent the evening. Everyone was keen to get their tents erected, get a hot meal inside them and get good nights sleep ready for the Sunday.

The weather throughout the Saturday was cloudy, for the most part dull and really never stopped raining, with a cold wind blowing, really challenging for all the Cadets both experienced and new but they rose to it and kept their spirits high.

On the Sunday morning most were fatigued from the day before but after eating a hearty breakfast and clearing the Camp Site they set off once again to complete the second part of the navigation exercise. The weather on the Sunday was slightly better than the previous day but the cold wind remained. However, although it did stay dry for most of the time, the Cadets had to contend with low mist and poor visibility. Nonetheless, the Cadets found their check points once again, even making up some time and by 2.45 pm they arrived at the pick-up point and climbed into the Mini-Bus for the journey home, most of them quickly falling asleep.

The weekend was a complete success and demonstrated the best use of Skills by the Staff for the benefit of the Cadets, whilst at the same time helping the Cadets to improve their navigational skills through what were clearly not the best weather conditions.

It was also the first opportunity that the Cadets had been able to use the newly acquired D of E Kit bought as part of the Lottery Grant raised by the Award winning Civilian Committee last year.

Flight Lieutenant Moreton, CO of 2028 Squadron commented, “The idea of these D of E Expedition weekends is to present the Cadets with carefully controlled challenges of their spirit and skills. It improves their team work and tests their navigational abilities. Quite clearly this weekend also tested their personal resolve, it was wet and cold most of the time but they rose to the challenge in the best traditions of the Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme.”