In February half term a group of 30 Fourth Form (Year 10) cadets plus CCF staff deployed to Norway for a week of Nordic ski touring in the Haardanger Vida region. The plan was for three days of ski training followed by a three-day expedition, with a night in a snow hole and a night in a mountain hut
An early start to a long multi-leg journey to Stavanger and then up into the increasingly snowy mountains set the tone for a slightly less restful half term for our intrepid cadets and ever-attentive staff. The plan was for a challenging but fun expedition; the philosophy was one of ‘high challenge – high support’ as one of the best ways of developing resilience, teamwork and self-realisation – along with hopefully the right mix of Type 1 and Type 2 fun!
“This expedition has made me realise that I need to push myself outside my comfort zone more often as it creates resilience and experiences that I’ll never forget… …it has showed me that anything can be done if you are determined and strengthened my relationship with my classmates.”
“The tough bits were being really cold but I knew I would warm up if I moved faster. And climbing up the last hill towards the hut. I got through it by telling myself I can do it – then in the end I will, I just need to think of the attitude of gratitude.”
After some fast paced training from the expert instructors (thanks to Jerry, Bill, Rick, Mike, Brent, Topsy and Jim) it was time to prepare and head out on the three day expedition – a significant but achievable undertaking. The long and uphill first day tested both individual endurance and collective teamwork, especially hauling the stores pulk.
“The expedition made me realise that I can do hard things if I just get on with it. There were times when I was scared I wouldn’t be able to do it, but I cracked on and pushed through and in the end it was so rewarding to realise that I can do physically and mentally challenging things..”
“I really liked skiing back after the expedition because you could enjoy the views a lot more. I also loved playing cards in the huts in our downtime. I loved our time in the snowhole late at night- the stars were incredible and actually going inside the snowhole (which was quite hard to build) felt like such an achievement.”
“I now see that sometimes the simplest things can give you the greatest pleasure. I think in the future I will use my experience to persevere with something I find difficult instead of just dismissing it and moving on.”
Building and sleeping in a snow hole / quincy, a ski tour in the wilds, and living and sleeping in close proximity in a mountain hut were all highlights of the expedition, as was the feeling of achievement (and hot shower) at the end… A common theme of the reflections was how the cadets got to know themselves and each other so much better:
“I really appreciated my mates, it’s great to see friendships help each other even more in the most extreme environments. Helping others and others helping me showed that good things always come back.”
“The expedition helped me build friendships with people who I would not have talked to otherwise….”
“I think my approach to learning new things will be a bit different – I’ll be more willing to try to do things that I might fail at, like going down a steep hill.”
“The spectacular views I saw on the mountain and the Milky Way stars at night made me realise the world is much much bigger than I thought and there’s so many places I haven’t been.”
“I now realise that I can push myself out of my comfort zone whilst still having fun. It has made me realise how I can do things even when I don’t think I can, if I keep trying. I am now more willing to try new things that may not be ‘my kind of things’.”
And from a parent:
“An immensely enriching life experience. She couldn’t stop talking about it. An unbelievable opportunity to step outside ‘normal’ life, providing leadership and teamwork challenges in a difficult scenario. She has come back noticeably more confident and has clearly grown in herself as part of the whole process.”
With huge thanks to the Connaught and Ulysses Trusts, Adventure1 plus both Army Cadets and RN/RM Cadets.
