I am pleased to report back on the fantastic success of our recent Duke of Edinburgh training and National Navigation Award Scheme assessment weekend – the first camping weekend our squadron has run in over 10 years. Thanks to your support, we were able to make this happen with only a very small cost to parents and guardians. Your support was fundamental in achieving our goal of equity of opportunity, ensuring that no cadet was excluded due to cost.
Over the weekend, our group of cadets completed two full days of walking – 6km on Saturday and 8km on Sunday – through the beautiful Lincolnshire Wolds. The weather gave us a bit of everything: warm sunshine, blustery wind, and some very heavy rain showers on both days. It was a real test of resilience, teamwork, and waterproof jackets!
This was the first time all participants had camped in small backpacking tents. They pitched their own shelters, cooked their own meals on lightweight stoves, and carried everything they needed. By the end of the weekend, every cadet had passed their Bronze National Navigation Award Scheme (NNAS) qualification, giving them a nationally recognised skill to build on as they progress through their DofE journey and wider adventurous training opportunities.
Alongside your funding, we also raised grant funding to provide all the equipment the cadets could need. Drawing young people from an area of such high deprivation is a challenge; this event has served as a launch pad for future recruitment and success (we had over 9000 Facebook views!).
The smiles, laughter, and determination we saw were proof that removing barriers works – and that the experiences we can now offer will stay with these young people for years to come.
The success of this weekend has set the stage for our September Bronze DofE expedition, and beyond that it opens the door for future adventurous training activities.
On behalf of our cadets, staff, and families, thank you, for helping make this expedition possible. Your investment helped unlock opportunity, nurtured growth, and renewed our squadron’s expedition capability, and appetite, after a decade away from the hills.
“It was a wonderful weekend. I learned new skills like putting up a tent and navigating. I really enjoyed it, thank you!” Cadet S.
“The weekend was amazing. I enjoyed cooking my own food and exploring the campsite as well as the walks.” Cadet C.
“What an incredible experience, the cadets and staff had an incredible time over the weekend. The equipment made everyone so comfortable, I can’t believe how good it was, really important in that rain!” Sergeant P (Staff)
