Some 48 Cadets and 12 staff from Derbyshire Sector RAFAC, Trent Wing have recently returned from a multi-activities weekend based out of Thornbridge Activity Centre, Bakewell. The primary aim of the weekend was to give an opportunity for new (post Covid) cadets from across the seven Units in the Sector to undertake their first residential camp whilst learning and developing new skills that they can use in day to day Sqn life. For the staff also it was an opportunity to network and as a result of the weekend staff have either already gained new skills (Food Handling) or are considering new NGB awards.
The weekend consisted of four core activities which were deliberately selected to develop different skill sets – mountain biking and orienteering delivered by RAFAC staff and canoeing and high / low ropes delivered by Centre staff. The cadets got to do all of the activities across the weekend on a rotational basis, in teams deliberately mixed across Units, and developed their skills in self-confidence, leadership, teamwork and communication.
A Ulysses Trust grant meant that the weekend was kept at an affordable level so the activity was available to all cadets regardless of background and there is already talk of repeating the activity in 2023 such was the success, both from the cadets and the staff. In conversation at the end the weekend the event had a massive impact on the well being and confidence of the cadets, many of whom for which this was the first time they had been separated from family units since before Covid19 and has resulted in a very high retention rate of new cadets, especially amongst those who attended, or who are hoping to do so in 2023.
Our thanks go to the generosity of the Royal Air Force Charitable Trust for supporting this expedition. www.rafct.com
“It was an amazing activity, so nice being able to see the cadets from across the sector mixing again and to meet the staff from other Sqns – when can we do this again!”
CI Amy Binney
“This is the sort of thing I joined cadets for and I really feel my confidence and team skills developed over the weekend with all the different activities and I hope the new cadets get chance to repeat next year!”
Cdt Joshua McConnell
