| On the weekend of 31st March – 2nd April, 10 cadets and 2 staff from 487 Sqn headed to Earlswood campsite for a weekend of initial expedition training. The weekend was for most cadets their first time camping and so was a steep learning curve, which they would soon get to grips with. The focus of the weekend was to introduce the cadets to camp craft and navigation skills in a practical environment to prepare them for starting out on their Bonze DofE careers.
Campcraft lessons began with the fundamentals of pitching a tent, along with maintenance and care of equipment. Once the tents were (finally!) up the navigation training began. The cadets were taken through the theory of map reading, navigation and team-leading before setting off into Earlswood to put the lessons into practise. Each cadet got a chance to lead a group over the weekend, and all did well under the watchful eyes of Flt Lt O’Neill and Plt Off Cotton.
Plt Off Cotton organised the weekend and said this about the cadets: “For most cadets this is the first time they have experienced camping or map reading in a practical setting. They coped well with the change in environment and all learnt valuable lessons, which they will take forward with them to begin their Bronze DofE training in the summer. This kind of weekend not only teaches the cadets vital practical skills, but also enables them to get what could be their first chance to lead a group, and you can really see them develop throughout the weekend. All said they enjoyed the weekend and are looking forward to their bronze practise walks in the summer.”
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Article Submitted by:- Plt Off Sarah Cotton - 487 (Kingstanding & Perry Barr) Squadron 13 Apr 11 |
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