During the weekend Friday the 25 th September 2009 through to Sunday the 27 th September 2009 17 Cadets accompanied by 4 Staff from 2028 (Southam) Squadron took part in a D of E Training Weekend Rough Close in Coventry.

The weekend was organised by the Squadron D of E Officer, CI Rogers and was a Silver Qualification weekend for 8 Cadets and a practice Bronze for the remaining 9 Cadets. The weather remained dry throughout the weekend and temperatures held up around 19 degrees with mostly cloudy skies and the occasional sunny spell. For most of the Cadets taking part in the Bronze expedition it was their first taste of the Duke of Edinburgh's Award but with a member of staff accompanying each of the two teams, they had help when they needed it to improve their navigational skills.

Two Silver groups were dropped early afternoon on Friday at Crackley Woods to begin their expeditions with the simple objective of following the routes to Rough Close for their evening's camp. On arrival they set up tents and cooked dinner. They were met by 2 'pre-Bronze' award groups who had travelled later in the evening as their expeditions we due to start the following day. Silvers camped on one side of the site as they had experience of what the requirements are for D of E. The bronzes were taught everything from putting up a tent to how to cook a meal safely.

On the Saturday morning the bronzes woke and sorted themselves out and set off at 8am for their day's walks, one group going clockwise and the other anti-clockwise on a circular route north of Rough Close campsite. The pre-bronzes were shown more skills in the additional hour in the morning before setting off at 9am . The first two hours were slow as a 'crash course' in navigation was given by CI Steve Rogers , instructing on all 'tricks' he has gathered over the years. On reaching the point where the routes split he allowed the group to split into 2 further groups under the guidance of A/Sgt Caine and CI Halford to continue helping the cadets along the day long routes.

WO Storer-Rogers and CI Rogers kept an eye on the progress of the Silver Groups throughout the day and were very pleased with both Silver Groups as the Saturday became very hot in the afternoon. The younger cadets did exceptionally well as they ended up walking Silver routes and were out walking for 9 hours before arriving back at camp, carrying a full backpack!

Sunday started earlier than the day before with the' pre-bronzes' waking at 5:30am; the Silver groups awoke at 6am but left at 7am on a beautifully tranquil dew filled morning. The' pre-bronzes' were briefed and allowed to walk on their own in their groups without a member of staff in close contact. Throughout the day all four groups were monitored by Squadron Staff and all groups walked well as the day once again, got hotter.

All groups finished the weekend at  Kenilworth   Castle , having lunch and cheering the next one as each completed their expedition.

CI Rogers said after they all finished “these cadets are some of the best the Squadron has seen in many years, and show great potential for Bronze Award achievers but also for silver and even gold.”

Flight Lieutenant Moreton, CO of 2028 Squadron commented, " All my Cadets and Staff know how committed I am to the Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme, these weekends create an environment which safely challenges the Cadets whilst developing their navigational abilities. Our new Cadets demonstrated this weekend yet again, what a great year we are having.”