Over the early May Bank Holiday weekend the seven Sqns from Derbyshire Sector RAFAC, Trent Wing undertook a Sector Duke of Edinburgh’s Award (DofE) Expedition weekend, the first for many years and for most Sqns the first AT activity of any sort since the Covid 19 restrictions had eased. The weekend was possible due to the pooling of staff resources across the Sqns supported by assistance in terms of qualified staff from Sussex Wing RAFAC.and the Ulysses Trust’s own Nigel Carr, in his capacity as a DofE Assessor.
The activity was based out of Barn Farm campsite, Birchover which had the advantage of lots of local footpaths directly into the camp, meaning safe routes for the cadets and picturesque checkpoints for the staff. Aims for the teams varied between post covid morale measurements, history of the local area including mining and the legend of Robin Hood, plus an interesting take on flora and fauna recognition.
Although the teams were mainly Sqn based some mixed teams were made to pick up individuals, especially at silver level, and in total 62 cadets passed an assessment at either Bronze or Silver level. The staff were also able to network and plans are firmly in place for some staff to gain NGB qualifications to enable an extension on numbers for a repeat event in 2023 – 5 staff have since passed their Lowland Leaders award!
For 5/7 Sqns these were the first expeditions in some 5 years and the cadets at those Units only enrolled as a result of the expedition opportunity with over 20 having already gone on to complete the award. With Barn Farm having a minimum 3 night rule for camping on BH weekends Ulysses Trust funding meant that the costs for the cadets were kept low, bearing in mind most cadets also had to pay a £24 enrolment fee for DofE, and meant the opportunity was available for all cadets not just those that could afford. It is hoped to see the majority of the cadets back in 2023 for their next level with a new cohort of Bronzes from cadets who have joined since.
Our thanks go to the generosity of the Royal Air Force Charitable Trust for supporting this expedition. www.rafct.com
“I have been at 2326 as cadet and staff for nearly 20 years and these are the first DofE awards I can remember – I didn’t get chance as a cadet, and we are developing staff too – amazing”.
Flying Officer Scott Charlesworth
“Doing DofE has given me a new motivation for staying in cadets and the reason I returned from Covid lockdown when others didn’t – I am really chuffed to final get an award.”
Cdt Sgt Keoni Crain
