12 London wing RAFAC cadets finally got the chance to swap their computer terminals and urban streets for the good outdoor fresh air of the lake district. Having spent most of 2020 online it was great to see cadets from all round the London Wing, including East Ham, Romford and Balham area get out and about on our ‘Lakes Adventure’, one of whom had never travelled outside the M25 area and another with ADHD.
As most of the cadets had never been to the Lake district it was decided that it would be nice to do a multi activity week. It is only thanks to the support of The Ulysses Trust that we were able to do so.
After a long trip from London by coach the cadets, who were divided into two groups started the week on the Sunday with a familiarisation walk in the local countryside around Windermere. This was as most of them were from the inner city. After an encounter with a real live sheep on a foot path Cdt Koomsom from 282 (East Ham) squadron RAFAC said. “I was terrified when it came up to me and started screaming, but soon realised that it wasn’t going to hurt me.”
Monday was taken up with two challenges new to some of them. Archery and a Leap of Faith. The Leap of Faith is a jump from a platform onto a triangle about 30 foot up from the ground accessed by a ladder. It was great to see one of the cadets who was clearly scared of heights jump after some encouragement by the others.
Tuesday was another day walk, with one group going up on to Wansfell Pike with wonderful views over Lake Windermere and the other going to Fairfield. It was clearly an achievement for them all.
Wednesday saw the two groups doing beck scrambling at Church Beck with Lucy one of the instructors from the centre that we were staying at. This was followed by mountain bike skills training at Grizesdale Forest. Cdt Basturk from 6F (Romford) squadron said of the beck scrambling, “I wasn’t looking forward to that, but it was excellent and I would definitely do it again.”
Thursday, they took to the water at Ambleside with a change over to mountain biking along the side of Lake Windermere. It was clear that they enjoyed the canoeing with one of the instructors Steve, saying, “I have not done paddle sports with a group so enthusiastic for years it was a pleasure to teach them and the staff from London should be proud of them”, which we are.
The last day of the trip, Friday, saw the 12 travel to Whinnlatter Forest to test their micro-navigation skills on the orienteering course and their nerve on the ‘Go App’ course which is split into five sections with each one a bit higher than the previous section. Cdt FS Moshin said, “I really didn’t think that I was going to be able to do the swing into the cargo net as I saw that it was really fast.”
At the end of the week the cadets were asked what they enjoyed the most. Most said the beck scrambling and the Canoeing, but cdt Hynes from 452 (Hornchurch), said, “Just being in the mountains.”
It was an unforgettable week with all the cadets from around the London Wing RAFAC so thank you again The Ulysses Trust.
The Ulysses Trust also wish to thank the generosity of the Royal Air Force Charitable Trust for supporting this expedition. www.rafct.com
