7th-11th April 2025 | RAF Air Cadets Visit Ogwen Cottage, Gwenned, Wales
24 Cadets from 1105 (City of Winchester) and 1244 (Swindon) RAF Air Cadets reach new heights on adventure training course
1105 (City of Winchester) RAF Air Cadets
As a Squadron we have been lucky enough to attend Outward Bound courses for several years, the cadets enjoy the opportunity to try all of the activities with experienced instructors, with all equipment provided in a challenging environment, something which is impossible to do on the Squadron. This was our first trip to the centre in Wales and it was a joint venture with Swindon Squadron. Expanding this opportunity to another squadron added in a new dynamic of teamwork and leadership with people we had never met before. The OC from Swindon squadron is an ex-Army regular who has always said “Life begins at the edge of your comfort zone” so he was keen to attend this challenging opportunity with his cadets.
During the Covid 19 pandemic some of our cadets missed out of the usual Year 6 residential that gives them an opportunity to stay away from home, learn the skills of leadership and the benefits of teamwork. For some this trip was the longest they had been away from their families…not that you would have known with the way they threw themselves into everything that was offered!
We assembled at Wing HQ early in the morning and then embarked on a six hour long journey to get us to Swindon squadron and then onto The Outward Bound Trust Ogwen Cottage, Nant Ffrancon, Bethseda, Gwynned.
Upon arrival we attended our welcome brief, and whilst we headed to our accommodation we were greeted with a flypast of an RAF Typhoon (the first of many Operational aircraft we were lucky enough to see while we were away). We then spent some time settling into our accommodation, sorting out our kit and then jumped into a river and waterfall, it was very, very cold, but we enjoyed it after that long journey. After drying off we had our evening meal and tried to have a good nights sleep ready for the next few days of activities.
The following morning we split into groups with a mixture from each squadron in each group. One group was hiking up Tryffan, carrying day sacks and wearing helmets, with supplies and plenty of water, we had great weather for reaching the peak and enjoyed having lunch with a view at the top, we then heading back down, grabbing gear and the ascending Y Garn. The other group started by preparing for their expedition, going through ‘The Devil’s Kitchen’ and ending up at the top of Y Garn around 5pm, this was where we set our base camp before ascending to the peak. After enjoying our evening ration packs we headed back to the base camp to join the others. At base camp we were all successful in setting up our own tents before relaxing in the evening, and enjoying the ‘wild camping’ and incredible views. Some Cadets enjoyed the (dubious) honour of being classified as ‘windsocks’ as they camped on the top of the peak, and it was bit windy!
The overnight stay on the mountain was a highlight for everyone and we all learnt how important it is to have decent kit as despite the sunshine the evening was cool. We enjoyed more ration packs for breakfast before both groups headed off, one to the peak of Y Garn (after enjoying a flypast of an F15) and taking part in some abseiling, whilst the other group headed back down to the Outward Bound Centre, before going Canoeing – which was great fun, and helped with teamwork and co-ordination. Both groups then enjoyed a well earned evening meal!
Day 4 saw some Cadets heading off to RAF Valley in the afternoon, following a morning of canoeing, which was great fun if a little cold! The Visit to RAF Valley was really enlightening, with lots of BAE Hawks, Texan 2’s in operation. After this there was an exercise to make catapults and slingshots, utilising basic kit to make a pair of socks fly as far as possible.
The time really did fly by and unfortunately the next day was the last day. After packing up kit and a room inspection it was time for the ‘paper plate awards’ – these celebrated those that had made a positive contribution across the course, those that did something memorable or had the best nickname! It was then time to leave, surviving a 5 hour trip before arriving back at Wing HQ, saying goodbye to new friends at Swindon on the way.
Overall it was a great challenge for all involved, but thanks to well prepared instructors, good equipment and lot’s of enthusiasm the event was a great success, as one Cadet said
“The more you put in, the more you get out.”
All involved were unanimous that they had all been pushed to their limits, expanded their comfort zones – and can’t wait for the next opportunity.
Thank you Ulysses Trust!
From the Cadets and Staff of Winchester and Swindon RAF Air Cadets
We would like to thank you so much for the grant that supported this trip, the cadets would not be able to afford to attend these opportunities if we had to pay full price.
Having subsidised courses and group coach travel made this wonderful opportunity possible.
The Ulysses Trust also wish to thank the generosity of the Royal Air Force Charitable Trust for supporting this expedition. www.rafct.com
