During the first week of April, twenty-five cadets and two Cadet Force Adult Volunteers from two squadrons (1105 (City of Winchester) Squadron & 1101 (Kettering & District) Squadron), completed a five day camp with the Outward Bound Trust. As part of the camp, they undertook adventure training and outward bound activities, exposing cadets to new experiences, skills, and friends. Preparations had begun in September 2023, with fundraising and recruitment campaigns to get cadets to sign up. By the time April came, the excitement was palpable, and everyone was ready for a five day adventure.
“Ullswater was one of the most memorable weeks I’ve ever had. I did things I never thought I would ever do, including getting over my fear of water.” Cdt. C.
One of the benefits of the Outward Bound Trust is that through discussion with the CFAVs, learning objectives were established for the week, these being:
- Encourage the development of leadership skills and techniques
- Develop verbal and non-verbal communication abilities
- Foster and improve the ability to operate within a team.
These were decided as they would be beneficial to the cadets both in RAFAC, and within their wider lives. The entire week was structured around teaching and achieving these outcomes.
The camp began with an early bus ride on a Monday morning, from Winchester to the Outward Bound Centre, via Swindon. This would be the first time that the two groups of cadets met. By lunchtime we had reached the centre and launched into a week of activities and learning. After the obligatory icebreakers, the first activity was cliff jumping, as the cadets scrambled up the side of a nearby cliff before launching themselves into the eponymous Ullswater. Then there was a chance to demonstrate the best impression of a ‘Silly Salmon,’ whilst also jumping into the water, before it was back to the centre to warm up. That evening the camp split into two, one group doing an orienteering challenge, racing round the outward bound centre: whilst the others continued with icebreaking and team building challenges.
Day two saw the groups start the first part of a two day expedition, in the vicinity of Ulllswater. Once again the groups were split in two, with one group starting their expedition by gliding across Ullswater in a rowboat, before hiking part way up Sheffield Pike and Glenridding Dodd. At which point they established a base camp before summitting Sheffield Pike. After spending the night on the edge of the Pike, the group descended into Glenridding before getting a steamer to Howtown. From Howtown it was then a swift canoe back to the centre, whilst shrouded in mist and clouds.
“Have I really walked all the way up that and back? I’m quite surprised, never thought I’d ever manage something like that.” Cpl. L.
The other group, began their expedition by canoeing across Ullswater to Glenridding, before hiking into the foothills of Helvelleyn. The group then stored there bags in converted shepherd’s hut, before undertaking an evening hike around the nearby tarn, whilst stargazing. The group then spent the night at the hut, before returning to Glenridding. From Glenridding they then caught a boat to the Aria Force Waterfalls. At which point they finished off their expedition with a hike around Aria Force, before returning to the Centre. Throughout the expeditions the cadets were rotated through various leaderships of positions including, navigator, head chef, boat captain, and morale officer. The expedition also forced the groups to bond and become a team and friends. The evening after the expedition, there was a moment for introspectiveness and reflectiveness as the campers gathered for a campfire: sharing and reflecting on the expedition, what they’d learnt, and what they’d experienced.
“It was refreshing to see the cadets not only come out of their metaphorical shells, but to feel comfortable enough to share their weakness and be reflective about the camp and what it’s done to them.” Bedford, Civilian Instructor
Day four saw the campers undertake gorge scrambling in the vicinity of Patterdale. Operating as two teams the groups; waded, climbed, scrambled and helped each other up the gorge. Whilst the Instructors began the activity by telling cadets exactly what to do, by the end of the activity, the Instructors were merely supervising as the cadets led the way. One group was so successful that they reached the highest point on the gorge out of all the groups so far. It was one of the best activities of the week, that saw the cadets fulfill all of the learning objectives and make memories for life. That evening the cadets, once again split into two groups. One group did orienteering, whilst the other did the command task, Jigsaw, which had the cadets doing various supplemental tasks in order to complete a jigsaw.
“The countryside and outdoors. I never thought it would be more fun than my videogames.” Cpl Z. Ryder
The final day saw the groups delve into the tunnels, competing in games and challenges, that ended in a game of sardines accompanied by a joke competition. The hours spent in the tunnels brought the camp to an end, though there was just enough time for certificates, paper plates and gifts. And with a final goodbye to Ullswater, the campers boarded a bus and headed for home. At Swindon, hugs were shared and tears were shed, as the two squadron separated – while they had begun as strangers, they had parted as friends.
“I met new people, and despite the camp now ending I still talk to them regularly.” Cdt. C. Day
“I had a great time, and learnt so many things, that I usually would otherwise experience.” Cdt. R. Brown
“It was a combination of physical challenge, and pure fun. It pushed me both physically and mentally.” Cdt. E. Hopkins.
“I developed my determination as I pushed through challenges I never thought I could do.”G. Cahill
All in all, Ullswater 2024 was a great success, something only achieved through the support and generosity of the Ulysses Trust. Twenty five cadets, were given the opportunity to undertaken a selection of activities not readily and regularly available to them. Each and every cadet was pushed out of their comfort zone, developing communication, leadership, teamworking whilst also learning about themselves. All three learning objectives were achieved, with these ideas and practices now being reciprocated on the squadrons. It is hard to quantify, but to sum it up every cadet came back from Ullswater more confident, resilient, adventurous. Ullswater had a meaningful impact on the cadets, whilst also allowing them to create memories for life.
Report written by:
Mr George Bedford
Civilian Instructor
1105 (City of Winchester) Squadron
RAFAC
The Ulysses Trust also wish to thank the generosity of the Royal Air Force Charitable Trust for supporting this expedition. www.rafct.com
