On 12 October 2023 we held a special event to launch our Odyssey Circle – a society of like-minded people who support the Reserves and Cadets through expeditions and the life changing opportunities they represent. It was wonderful to see so many of our supporters in the fabulous Fishmongers’ Hall overlooking the Thames. Thanks to […]
Odyssey Circle Launch 12 October 2023 Read More »
On the 26th of July 2023, a team of twenty-two cadets and eight Cadet Force Adult Volunteer instructors embarked on Exercise Mountain Storm. This remarkable journey encapsulated the essence of the third aim of the Royal Air Force Air Cadets: “To foster a spirit of adventure and cultivate qualities of leadership and good citizenship”. The
Mountain Storm 2023 Read More »
(09 – 27 Aug 23) at Yukon, Canada Ex Dragon Fireweed saw 16 members of 37 Signal Regiment spend 14 days in the Kluane National Park in the Yukon Territory. Yukon is in the north-western corner of Canada and is bordered by Alaska and the Northwest Territories. The sparsely populated territory encompasses natural scenic beauty,
Dragon Fireweed 2023 Read More »
Following the completion of their challenging Annual Deployment Exercise (ADX), officer cadets from Cambridge UOTC left Cambridge Army Reserve Centre at 3am 9th July and headed for Ex CHAMONIX BLUE: a multi-sport, six-day adventurous training expedition in the French Alps. We arrived at Dover in the early hours of Sunday morning and landed in Calais
Dragon Caple Blue 2023 Read More »
Cornwall Expedition PXRWednesday 26 July – Tuesday 8 August Intro The Cadet Vocational College Westminster Award has been running for over 20 years and is the only competition in the UK open to all types of uniformed youth organisations. It is an annual competition designed to recognise and reward the most deserving of our learners.
The CVQO Westminster Award Cornwall Expedition 2023 Read More »
3RWELSH is always keen to offer opportunity to its soldiers as a reward for their service to the unit and the wider Army Reserve in general. To that end, the annual battalion skiing trip is a key event in the unit’s Forecast of Events and extremely popular with our serving soldiers. For several years now
Dragon Meribel 23 2023 Read More »
On 11th Aug 2023 Greater London South East Sector ACF departed the UK – destination South Africa. The objective to have an adventure of a life time. To give young people the opportunity to experience being in the wild, learning about the importance of animal and land conservation. The aim of the expedition was to
Kwazulu-Natal Venturer 2023 Read More »
Poole Sea Cadets is a large Sea Cadet unit of 60 cadets and, each year, we aim to get much of the unit away for a weekend of adventurous training, team building and enjoying what Dorset has to offer. This year, thanks to this grant, we were able to take 41 of our cadets. The
Poole Sea Cadets Annual Camp 2023 Read More »
During the summer of 2023 twelve cadets and staff sailed on the Ocean Youth Trust Scotland’s Alba Explorer to complete their Gold Duke of Edinburgh Expedition. Their voyage started in Oban and finished in Hartlepool ten days later. The cadets and staff were from RAF Air Cadets Scotland and Northern Ireland Region with the exception
Gold DofE Sailing Expedition 2023 Read More »
Wednesday 12th July 2023: Today, under the sunny skies of Glasbury, our acclimatisation journey began. We set off bright and early, leaving London at 07:00am. The group is filled with anticipation and excitement for the upcoming four days. By 12:30pm, we safely arrived at our campsite and took a quick break for lunch before getting
Gold Duke of Edinburgh 2023 (BDL Canoe Expedition) Read More »
In Sep 2023, 101 Engineer Regiment ran EX BLACK CHARGE 4 in Somerset, a multi-day AT package in the Cheddar Gorge area. 30 Reservists from the London, Kent and Essex regions undertook a series of land-based challenges as well as extra-curricular activities to improve their leadership skills and enhance their civilian qualifications. The aim of
Black Cat Charge 4 2023 Read More »
The aims of the expedition were to qualify 10 medically ratified personnel in the Regiment in the Summer Mountain Foundation course, and to enable 2 OCdts to gain 6 Quality Mountain Days, which can count towards their next qualification. It was a great success with all 10 participants achieving the qualification they were assessed at,
Triglav Climb 23 2023 Read More »
The third and final Ulysses Trust Expedition Award 2022 was presented by HM Lord-Lieutenant of the Royal County of Berkshire, Mr James Puxley CVO (pictured left) last week. The Trust’s Expedition Awards highlight the very best in leadership, challenge, courage and planning. The latest awards were selected from the 95 cadet and reservist expeditions supported
UTC Reading CCF Sailing Expedition Wins Award Read More »
Over the summer 4 OCdts from ULOTC and 1 from GUOTC took part in Ex Highland Express 23, sailing through the Hebrides in Scotland. The crew sailed through stunning waters experiencing some challenging conditions that put their individual and combined skills to the test. These OCdts, some of which were novices, developed their Offshore Sailing
Highland Express 23 2023 Read More »
Over the course of a week in August, 105 Regiment Royal Artillery (The Scottish and Ulster Gunners) and Exeter Officers’ Training Corps deployed to the Shetland Islands on Ex Tammie Norrie, an Adventurous Training (AT) expedition. Over the seven days, the three groups aimed to achieve one of the following qualifications; Rock Climbing Foundation Course
Northern Tammie-Norrie 2023 Read More »
“Teamwork is certainly put to the test when living, sleeping and working within 34 foot of each other for a week” OCdt Oliver Irons In September 2023 five officer cadets and a member of staff from Northumbrian Universities Officer Training Corps (NUOTC) embarked on Exercise Highland Express. This military adventure training exercise is an annual
Northern Highland Express 2023 Read More »
On 10 August 2023 eleven members of East Midlands Universities Officer Trg Corps (EMUOTC) began their journey to Wales in order to experience 8 days of mountain biking. For some in the group, this was their first time mountain biking on technical terrain, while for others it provided an opportunity for them to hone their
Dragon Wales EMU 23 2023 Read More »
After finishing their training year at EMUOTC a group of Officer Cadets conducted an Adventure Training expedition in Snowdonia where they conducted training in scrambling, single and multi-pitch climbing. AIM. The expedition’s aim was to train and introduce Officer Cadets to single and multi-pitch rock climbing, alongside scrambling. This aimed to enhance their mental and
Dragon Summit EMU 23 2023 Read More »
OCdts from Birmingham University Officers’ Training Corps (BUOTC) have recently been undertaking a Single-Pitch Climbing foundation course in the Dolomites. Over 10 days, the group learnt the necessary skills to further develop their climbing repertoire, all within the scenic backdrop of the Italian Alps. Starting the week off as beginners, the OCdts were introduced to
Dragon Slim Scale 23 Read More »
This is the report from Hebburn Sea Cadets of ‘Expedition Sailing 2023′. Our Sea Cadets are based on the River Tyne in Hebburn and this year, thanks to the grant received from the Ulysses Trust, we had twelve sea cadets, aged between 12 years to 18 years, and two adult volunteers take part in a
City of Liverpool Sea Cadets hosted an Adventure Training week at Holyhead Sea Cadet Unit, TS Prince of Wales, Anglesey from 17.07.23-21.07.23which was attended by 10 CAVS and 16 Cadets from various North West Area Sea Cadet Units and was organised and run by former Royal Marine, C/Sgt Ian Wooldridge. Preparation for this one-week Adventure
Funded Participant:Petty Officer Cadet Philippa GRIFFITHS, Sea Cadet Corps Purpose of Expedition:To experience how to live and work on a yacht whilst living in close quarters with other cadets. Outcomes of Expedition:Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Gold Expedition – completedRYA Day Skipper (Theory) Award – completedSCC Advanced Navigation – completedSCC Cadet Navigation Instructor – pending approval
Y28/29P (Brixham-Gosport) 2 weeks (DofE Exped G & S) 2023 Read More »
After raising the funds which was required for the cadets to go offshore in the month of April it was eventually time. The cadets worked hard to raise money as well as receiving bursaries from the Ulysses Trust which has helped massively towards the cost of their offshore voyage. All cadets were excited as only
Offshore Voyage TS John Jerwood 2023 Read More »
From 8th to 17th August 2023, the North West Officer Training Regiment (NWOTR) embarked on Ex Northern Alpine, a klettersteig (Via-Ferrata) expedition in Bavaria. The Bavarian landscape, with its rugged terrain and spectacular vistas, set the stage for a new experience that blended physical challenges with personal growth for us. For many of us, it
Northern Alpine 23 2023 Read More »
As the 22/23 school year ended, 72 cadets and 15 Cadet Force Adult Volunteers (CFAVs) from Clwyd and Gwynedd ACF (C&G ACF), Dyfed and Glamorgan ACF (D&G ACF) and Gwent and Powys ACF (G&P ACF) were preparing for what would be the trip of a lifetime. 18 months of planning and preparation had finally come
Kwazulu-Natal Ddraig 2023 Read More »
Introduction: Ex WYVERN MIDGARD TRAVELLER provided the opportunity for individuals to participate in mountaineering and canoeing in the hills and fjords in the Setesdal Region of Norway as well as having the opportunity to attain a Summer Mountaineering Foundation (SMF) qualification and to deliver leadership and resilience training to OCdts and staff through a mixed
Wyvern Midgard Traveller 2023 Read More »
Ex TIGER SWISS ROCK was an alpine rock-climbing exercise for members of the Army Mountaineering Association. The unique challenge of the exercise was to push the boundaries of alpine rock climbing to provide development opportunities to an experienced cohort of Adventurous Training instructors. Ex TIGER SWISS ROCK was a ‘road trip’ exercise, constantly moving, with
Tiger Swiss Rock 2023 Read More »
TS TIGER, Leicester Sea Cadets, is a unit which forms part of the Sea Cadet Corps, a youth organisation for young people aged 9 – 18 years, based on the traditions and customs of the Royal Navy. Cadets are trained in disciplines on and off the water such as first aid, navigation and water sports,
Leicestershire District Silver and Gold D of E Expedition 2023 – Part 2 Read More »
After a long adventurous training hiatus following the pandemic, six members of 457 Battery, 106 Regiment Royal Artillery deployed to Stavanger, Norway on Ex Tiger Cara Nordic, a sailing expedition aboard the NATO Joint Warfare Centre’s (JWC) sailing club yacht, Aurelius II. Sailing over nine days, the aims were to develop team cohesion and introduce
Tiger Cara Nordic 2023 Read More »
Over the period 22nd to 25th June 2023, 18 CFAVs and Cadets headed to the Lake District from Somerset to complete 3 days of Summer Mountaineering and take part in the Care of Police Survivors Light the Lakes Event.The Light the Lakes has become an established event in the climber’s diary where Police Officers, colleagues
Light The Lakes 2023 Read More »
Over the course of two weeks in Kinlochleven, Scotland, OCdts from Birmingham University Officers’ Training Corps (BUOTC) undertook various activities on the annual Adventurous Training Camp, Ex DRAGON SLIM LEVEN. With opportunities to obtain foundation qualifications in kayaking, canoeing, rock climbing, and mountaineering, as well as a group completing the West Highland Way and Mountain
Dragon Slim Leven 2023 Read More »
Intro On the 4th of July 2023 a team of 13 including 2 instructors and 11 students had finished a journey of 167km with 4100m elevation over 9 days fully self-sufficient and headed straight to the hotel showers. Background The Arctic Circle Trail expedition was planned back in 2019 by the officer cadets of Northern
For the second year running students and staff of Wales UOTC assembled at Maindy Barracks with the prospect of a week’s mountain biking in one of Europe’s premier MTB areas – the Port Du Soleil. The 20hr drive completed we arrived at our chalet – staff and students sorting out our unit bikes and a
Dragon Morzine 2023 Read More »
The Trust is keen to encourage expeditions that have a minimal impact on the environment. Is this achievable or is it just a pipe dream? The Ulysses Trust is taking proactive steps to encourage units to reduce the environmental impact of expeditions and their carbon footprint. In the aftermath of COVID-19 we championed UK-based adventures.
Going Eco-friendly Read More »
Between the 8th and 16th July 2023, 12 Officer cadets (OCdt), 2 Officers and 2 instructors completed an expedition to Iceland to achieve the Summer Mountain Foundation Course (SMF) by finishing both the Laugavegur and Fimmvörðuháls trail. Through hiking over 75km with 7,500ft of elevation whilst carrying tents, rations, and relevant equipment everyone had an
Dragon Slim Geyser 2023 Read More »
The objective of the expedition was to take 12 novice kayakers with 2 experienced guides, to the beautiful and challenging Isles of Scilly, exploring the archipelago whilst simultaneously developing skills and safety at sea, and challenging the team and individuals to push beyond their comfort levels. These base objectives were not only met but surpassed,
Wyvern Paddle 2023 Read More »
Between 17-23 June, 8 students and 2 instructors from the Northumbrian Universities Air Squadron completed a series of progressively harder hikes, climbs and scrambles across challenging via ferrata routes located in the North, Central and East ranges of the Italian Dolomites. The six different via ferrata completed put our mental and physical resilience to the
Ex NORTHERN AMAZONAS FORTUNE was a 4th Battalion The Royal Yorkshire Regiment Kayaking / Canoeing expedition to the Rio Urubu, Amazonas District, Brazil, 23 June – 08 July 2023. A physically and mentally demanding expedition, conducted in one of the most bio-diverse and challenging environments on Earth, where 13 novices and 2 instructors completed an
Northern Amazonas Fortune Read More »
The Ulysses Trust appointed a new Chair at the RAF Club in London yesterday. Brigadier Tim Seal (pictured left) took over from AVM Nick Kurth as our new Chair of Trustees on 8th August 2023. Tim has a background in business, the charity sector and the Reserve Forces. On his appointment Tim said, “It is
Brigadier Tim Seal appointed Chair of The Ulysses Trust Read More »
Cirdan Sailing Adventure – 3 to 9 April 2023 1163 (Colne Valley) Squadron and 308 (Colchester) Squadron Air Training Corps Report compiled by Corporal James Taplin Day 1 – Monday 3 April Not that we knew it yet, but as the cadets loaded the minibus and trailer at our HQ with 12 cadets and 2 staff from 1163
Achieve Together 2023 Read More »
The latest edition of our newsletter is out now. This edition is introduced by our new CEO, Polly Marsh and includes reports from reservist, officer cadet and cadet expeditions as follows: Exercise report: Northern Yosemite Saltire 2023 – Following in the footsteps of the explorer and environmental advocate John Muir, reservists from 32 Signal Regiment
Summer 2023 Newsletter Read More »
In July 2023 KES CCF Royal Naval Section ran a three-day expedition to Pembrokeshire targeted at the Year 11 cadets who are staying with the Section into Sixth Form and will be our future young leaders. These 12 cadets have been with the Section for two years, but have been absent from CCF since Easter
KES Pembroke Dragon 2023 Read More »
This expedition to the United States was a multi-unit project that used adventurous training, ceremonial, and multinational cadet collaboration to drive social mobility. Although not especially challenging in terms of the individual activities, the combination of circumstances can be extremely testing for the cadets. The lead unit was Solihull School CCF including six cadets from
COMAL Venturer 2023 Read More »
“On the wall, your life in the hands of your climbing partner – It’s like one big trust exercise. The exercise has 100% made us all friends for life” OCdt Hibbs“I believe that my mental and physical resilience has improved during this trip; from being able to look at a rock face and understand how
Northern Ahawanee Warrior 23 2023 Read More »
The aim of Dragon Dive 2023 was to take twelve regular and reserve service personnel from various Army units to participate in a diving expedition to enhance their skills and knowledge in a more challenging environment. We also wanted to qualify newly qualified divers to their next level of diving to become British Sub Aqua
Our expedition to Annapurna Base camp, nestled in the heart of the Himalayas, proved a challenging yet rewarding endeavour for the fourteen members of our team who set out to conquer this arduous expedition. The objective was clear: to reach the base camp of the majestic Annapurna Mountain, which would set out to test our
Finn Himalayan Serpent 2023 Read More »
East Midlands University Officers’ Training Corps (EMUOTC) is a great example of a UOTC unit that uses Adventurous Training (AT) to underpin its Leadership and Resilience Training Programme. Historically, The Ulysses Trust has supported many of the unit’s previous expeditions dating back to the mid-1990s when the Trust was originally set-up. It is estimated that
Case Study: East Midlands UOTC Read More »
The Pioneer Secondary Academy CCF has used Adventurous Training (AT) to transform a failing school-based Cadet Force Unit into a thriving and successful unit with the expedition experience as a key driver in its success. The Academy is a new Sikh faith school located in Stoke Poges, Bucks. Its CCF was set up in 2017
Case Study: Pioneer Academy CCF Read More »
The Ulysses Trust was delighted to announce its fundraising plans for the coming years at its annual team briefing event at HMS President on Friday 7 July 2023. The charity’s Trustees have agreed to continue to use Morgen Thomas Ltd for The Ulysses Trust’s fundraising activities. The Trust Chair, AVM Nick Kurth, said, “I am
Fundraising Plans Announced Read More »
18 Cadets and 5 Cadet Force Adult Volunteers travelled from Tunbridge Wells to take part in an overseas bike expedition along the beaches of Normandy, France. Many training evenings took place to help the cadets gain experience and confidence when using the trailers attached to the bikes and for each cadet to be sized up
Pedal Overlord 2023 Read More »
Nestled within the grandeur of the Sierra Nevada mountains in California, the Yosemite National Park emerges as a captivating tapestry of awe-inspiring natural wonders. With its iconic granite cliffs, glacial valleys, thunderous waterfalls, and ecological diversity, the national park and its majestic Yosemite Valley offered the perfect setting for an expedition. In Mid-May a team
Northern Yosemite Saltire 2023 Read More »
After raising the funds which was required for the cadets to go offshore in the month of April it was eventually time. The cadets worked hard to raise money as well as receiving bursaries from the Ulysses trust which has helped massively towards the cost of their offshore voyage. Just before we were about to
Offshore Voyage TS Jack Petchey 2023 Read More »
Forty eight cadets aged between 13 and 18 years from Greater London South East Sector, Army Cadet Force spend the half term break (27 May to 3 June 2023) in Eryri (Snowdonia), North Wales as part of an adventurous training package aimed at challenging and developing the young people by encouraging them to try new
Cockney Venture Novice 11 2023 Read More »
Over the Bank Holiday weekend of 28 Apr to 01 May over 80 cadets and staff from across Derbyshire Sector RAFAC (Trent Wing) descended upon Barn Farm campsite near Birchover for the Sector DofE Expedition weekend for 2023, fully supported by the Ulysses Trust and RAF Charitable Trust. The teams were a mix of Silver
Dofe 2023 Assessed Read More »
Over the weekend of 31 March to 02 Apr 2023 over 20 cadets and staff from 1401 (Alfreton & Ripley) Sqn and 2326 (Clay Cross) Sqn RAFAC assembled at Lea Green Activity Centre in the southern White Peak to undertake a weekend of Silver DofE Practices ahead of an assessed expedition at the end of
TS TIGER, Leicester Sea Cadets, is a unit which forms part of the Sea Cadet Corps, a youth organisation for young people aged 9 – 18 years, based on the traditions and customs of the Royal Navy. Cadets are trained in disciplines on and off the water such as first aid, navigation and water sports,
Leicestershire District Silver and Gold D of E Expedition 2023 – Part 1 Read More »
The Ulysses Trust, a charity that supports adventurous activities for the UK’s Volunteer Reserve and Cadet Forces, has today reached two significant milestones. First, with renewed support of BAE Systems, the Trust’s New Horizons fundraising campaign (launched in 2020 to meet the growing need for support for cadets) has crossed the £2 million threshold. Secondly,
BAE Systems Boosts Charity Fundraising To Support Disadvantaged Young People Read More »
The second of our prestigious Expedition Awards was presented by Lord Lieutenant for Warwickshire Tim Cox (pictured right) last week. The Trust’s Expedition Awards highlight the very best in leadership, challenge, courage and planning. The latest awards were selected from the 95 cadet and reservist expeditions supported by The Ulysses Trust in 2022. Each recipient
Reservist Kayaking Expedition Wins Award Read More »
Exercise Telemark Challenger was the Army Cadets 2023 premier national Adventurous Training (AT) expedition and our first overseas venture since the relaxation of COVID regulations and travel stabilisation across Europe. The expedition saw 18 Army Cadets aged 15 plus and 4 Cadet Force Adult Volunteers (CFAVs) from across the UK undertake a 14 day Nordic
Telemark Challenger 2023 Read More »
Members of Yorkshire Officers Training Corps embarked on a thrilling kayaking and canoeing trip through the heart of the Ardèche, an experience that left everyone in awe of the region’s breath-taking beauty. Our journey began in the quiet village of La Gare, where we were equipped with paddles, life jackets and an eager spirit. However,
Northern Paddle – 2023 Read More »
Snow Camp is a national youth charity that uses snowsports to drive social mobility via its three-tier programme. The entry stage is First Tracks, a two-day course at a local dry slope or indoor snow facility. The intermediate stage is Graduate which takes place over six Saturdays or Sundays in the autumn term and the
Snow Camp Excel 2023 Read More »
The Ulysses Trust is delighted to announce the appointment of its first CEO – Capt Polly Marsh DL. Polly joined our grants committee in 2021 as a volunteer and 12 months later she was appointed as a Trustee. Polly is passionate about the life-changing benefits outdoor activities can bring into the lives of young people.
The Ulysses Trust Appoints CEO Read More »
The first of our prestigious Expedition Awards was presented by Lord Lieutenant for Greater London, Sir Kenneth Olisa OBE (pictured centre left) yesterday. The Trust’s Expedition Awards highlight the very best in leadership, challenge, courage and planning. The latest awards were selected from the 95 cadet and reservist expeditions supported by The Ulysses Trust in
London UOTC Sailing Expedition Wins Award Read More »
The Royal County of Berkshire Army Cadet Force conducted its biennial Norway Winter Exercise/Exchange with HV02 District Oslo and Akershus at Hiestadmoen Training Camp (Telemark, Norway) over 17th to 26th Feb 2023 with 8 Cadet Force Adult Volunteers (CFAV) and 25 Cadets (15 – 17yrs). AimThe primary aim for running the exchange is to offer
Venturer Stag XXV 17th – 26th Feb 2023 Read More »
On 16 February 2023 Calday Grange Grammar School CCF and Birkenhead CCF completed their expedition to Norway , returning back to the UK having taken part in a wide variety of winter skills. Background 2 years in planning the expedition was to take place at Bylke, Norway – where weather conditions would challenge both staff
Northern Venture Norwegian Troll 3 2023 Read More »
Ex Frosted piste was took place in Les Arcs, a Resort located in Savoie France within the Tarentaise Valley. Officer cadets took part in Ski Foundation (SF) courses of varying ability with many having not skied before and were based in the UCPA centre situated just outside of Arcs 1600. The SF2 course is an
Northern Frozen Piste 23 2023 Read More »
Our now annual Scottish exploit is in it’s 15th year but due to COVID has had to reset its ambitions to year 1 of a four year development programme that takes place over two phases Y10 & 11, and L6 and U6. Our long serving commercial instructors now have an expectation of great support and
Northern Jacobite Venturer 2023 Read More »
The Ulysses Trust is proud to announce the publication of our Annual Review 2022. Since 1992, we have supported over 40,000 cadets and reservists to undertake more than 2,980 expeditions. The Annual Review contains a detailed summary of our work in 2022 and how this compares to previous years. In terms of results and in
The Ulysses Trust Annual Review 2022 Read More »
Garth Miller climbed to the summit of Mt. Everest in record time (3 weeks from leaving home) – a tale of courage and determination that will inspire young people, and adults alike. Garth is an Army Reserve officer, a captain for British Airways, and an extra-ordinary mountaineer. His adventure was supported by The Ulysses Trust.
Speakers for Schools: Lightning Ascent of Everest Read More »
On the 11th February 2023, the ‘advance party’ of officer cadets and staff from Cambridge University Officer Training Corps headed off on their long drive towards Calpe, arriving at our cabin the following afternoon. They carried all of the group’s personal and climbing kit ensuring that we weren’t restricted by weight through flight luggage allowances.
Dragon Calpe Blue 23 2023 Read More »
During the February school half term, 40 RAF Air Cadets and 13 volunteer staff from across the South of England travelled to Germany. They participated in an expedition that was to see them undertake a full six-day programme of ski training and skiing at a variety of resort locations in Southern Bavaria and Austria. This
Alpine Adventure 2023 Read More »
Three hours west of Oslo lies Norway’s premier ice climbing destination. Nestled in a strikingly beautiful, deep east-west oriented valley, the lack of winter sunshine falling on the town of Rjukan results in a gloriously extended climbing season. With numerous and highly varied frozen waterfalls throughout the valley we were spoiled for choice, from the
Northern Remec Winter 23 Part 2 2023 Read More »
Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic Canford School CCF had, for a number of years, been embarking on a cross-country skiing expedition to Norway. After an enforced hiatus we were delighted to be able to offer this trip once again this year, to cadets across both detachments of our CCF (army, navy with an RM section)
Canford Norway23 2023 Read More »
Ex TIGER WINTER INTRO was a winter mountaineering exercise for members of Regional Command Headquarters. The unique challenge of the exercise involved making Adventurous Training accessible and worthwhile for a group of ‘more-mature’ service personnel, who still had the urge to be stretched and challenged, but without the intensity of demanding physical activity associated with
Tiger Winter Intro 2023 Read More »
On the 5th of January 2023, the Scottish mountains beckoned us. East Midlands University Officer Training Corps and one member from Birmingham Officer Training Corps set off on a 7-hour drive for the Scottish Highlands, with 21 Army Officer Cadets, 1 Regular Soldier, 1 Reserve Soldier, 4 Instructors and 1 Trainee Instructor and an Army
Dragon Highland Emu 2023 Read More »
Exercise Snowpiercer – RAF Air Cadet Ski Expedition to Pila, Aosta Valley, Italy. 30 December 2022 – 06 January 2023 33 cadets and 9 Cadet Force Adult Volunteer staff undertook an overseas ski expedition to Italy, the first overseas expedition of this magnitude for Trent Wing, and for Derbyshire Sector – following the relaxation of
Snowpiercer 331 2022 Read More »
Garth Miller climbed to the summit of Mt. Everest in record time (3 weeks from leaving home) – a tale of courage and determination that will inspire young people, and adults alike. Garth is an Army Reserve officer, a captain for British Airways, and an extra-ordinary mountaineer. The Ulysses Trust funds cadets and Reservists (like
Speakers for Schools: Lightning Ascent of Everest Read More »
We are delighted to announce The Ulysses Trust’s 2022 Outcome Measurement Results. This is the fourth year of data capture and the results tell us it has been another fantastic year for The Ulysses Trust! As a result of our survey we are pleased to report the outcomes of our service is as follows: 100%
Outcome Measurement Results 2022 Read More »
At the end of September 58 members of the RNR came together from 12 units for the annual RNR Sailing Expedition, this time bigger than ever. Build Up Keen to build on the success of previous years, a dedicated small team of Naval Reservists spent months planning this weekend of adventure in the Solent. Each RNR
National RNR Sail 2022 Read More »
Early August 2022, 40 air cadets from across No.2 Sector London Wing (North East London) travelled to Stubbers Outdoor Activity centre in Essex for a weekend residential to carry out adventurous activities to challenge each individual and carry them out of their comfort zone. Schools closed for the Summer Holidays and was the prime time
Stubbers Elite 2022 Read More »
Originally planned for 2020 but delayed by two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic, fourteen members of 37 Signal Regiment finally set off for the adventure of a lifetime on 21 November 2022. PLANNING Planning and executing an oversees expedition is no mean feat. From funding, medical plans, pre deployment training, sourcing kit and equipment,
Exercise Dragon Himalayan Endeavour; a major pan-Army expedition to summit Himlung Himal (7126m) was first put into motion 2019. Led by Major Gethin Davies, it wasn’t until September 2022 following a necessary expedition pause due to COVID-19, that the 25-strong expedition arrived in Nepal. Between 2019 and 2022 the team began their expedition training which
Dragon Himalayan Endeavour 2022 Read More »
After nearly three years in the planning, including a confirmatory recce to the Caribbean, and despite the challenges presented by Covid-19, nothing could have prepared Cumbria ACF for the eye-watering news received 11 days before departure. EXERCISE ATLANTIC VENTURE, Cumbria ACF’s inaugural Cadet Exchange with the Turks and Caicos Islands Cadet Force, is cancelled for
Atlantic/Antiguan Adventure 2022 Read More »
After a few months of planning, Youth group, barnsley sea cadets, enjoyed an adventure weekend at PGL, a UK activities camp 30 September to 2 October 2023. PGL caythorpe Court is based in the heart of Lincolnshire countryside is the perfect for youth group weekends. It had 64 acres of countryside and has plenty of accommodation
Adventure weekend 2022 Read More »
Held from the 21st to the 28th October 2022 in Cyprus INTRODUCTION Ex Venturer Aphrodite’s Odyssey was a pilot overseas adventure training (AT) exercise organised by Shropshire Army Cadet Force (SACF). The exercise took place in Cyprus as a multi activity package conducted over 21 – 28 Oct 22. AIM The aim of this exercise
Venturer Aphrodite’s Odyssey 1 2022 Read More »
Ex Dragon Barbarian Odyssey 4 – 5 – 13 Nov 2022 Diving Expedition to Malta Achievements 5 Newly Qualified Diving First Aid Trained in (BSAC Oxygen Administration) 7 Newly Qualified Ocean Divers 1 Newly Qualified Advanced Diver Logbook experience for all Sports Divers and Dive Leaders towards their next diving grades. Depth progression Sports Divers
Dragon Barbarian Odyssey 4 2022 Read More »
On Thursday 1st December 2022 the Transformation Leaders network celebrated its ‘end year’ event in style at the prestigious Army and Navy Club in St James Square, London and raised a fantastic £500 for The Ulysses Trust. David Pinchard MD of www.transformation-leaders.com organised a book talk at the club featuring two distinguished retired veterans of
Army & Navy Club Dinner Raises £500 Read More »
The latest edition of our newsletter is out now. This edition features our 30th anniversary celebration event and features reports from reservist, officer cadet and cadet expeditions as follows: 30th Anniversary Celebration Event – A review of our celebration event at Cadogan Hall. Exercise report: Snowdonia – Outward Bound 2022 – Cadets from the Pioneer
Winter 2022 Newsletter Read More »
Our Chairman, Air Vice-Marshal Nick Kurth, attended an Aviation Focus Group (AFG) lunch at the RAF Club yesterday. Earlier in the year the AFG made a generous donation to The Ulysses Trust. One of the expeditions supported by this donation was an Air Cadet expedition (Ex: Big Lakes 2022) undertaken by 282 (East Ham) Squadron
Aviation Focus Group Lunch 2022 Read More »
Location: Cyprus – Episkopi – Troodos & RAF Akrotiri Following 18 months in the planning and preparation stage saw 47 cadets, 18 Cadet Force Adult Volunteers and 2 Cadet Training team members begin their expedition to Cyprus for a week of amazing opportunities and challenging activities, arriving at the UK airport with their cases to
Olympus Eagle 2022 Read More »
Our Chairman, Air Vice-Marshal Nick Kurth, attended the Royal Geographical Society’s (RGS) EXPLORE 2022 event on Saturday 5th November 2022. The event included a presentation by Cadet Sergeants Nicole Mosquera and Gauri Shaji from 282 (East Ham) ATC Squadron (pictured left) regarding their expedition to Costa Rica which was supported by The Ulysses Trust. Our
RGS EXPLORE 2022 Conference Read More »
Sixteen members from the National Reserve Headquarters Royal Artillery (NRHQ RA) took part in Exercise COCKNEY RATTLESNAKE 22 in September 2022, an overseas adventurous training expedition to the Lake Tahoe region of California and Nevada, USA. The aim was to complete the 172-mile Tahoe Rim Trail (TRT) around the Lake Tahoe basin rim (not shore
Cockney Rattlesnake 2022 Read More »
Following months of planning and training, Ex Squamish Rocks has been a huge milestone in my rock-climbing journey. The expedition was an all-round resounding success, meeting its aims of proving both novice and instructor climbers with three weeks to develop and practice their skills on some of the best accessible rock climbs in North America.
Squamish Rocks 2022 Read More »
Who?8 RAFMA adventurers from across the UK. What?The northern portion of the Grande Randonnée (GR) 20, widely considered Europe’s toughest trek. A total of 105km trekked and 8,100m climbed over 9 days, starting in Calenzana and finishing in Vivvazona. When?8-20 September 2022 – the tail end of the summer season on Corsica. Delayed from 2021
Corsican Venture 22 2022 Read More »
DAY 1:We had an early start travelling from Edinburgh to Oban. Once we got to the boats, we got kitted up and learnt about the boat and sailing fundamentals. After we set off, we went through some rough sailing. We practiced knot tying and attempted our first mooring at Lochaline. We finished the day with
Highland Express 2022 Read More »
“Embrace Tiger Return to Mountain” Over the end of the university summer holidays 30 Officer Cadets from Exeter UOTC, 9 instructors, 2 chefs and 1 admin driver were lucky enough to find themselves on EX DELAGO TIGER. The Exercise was a level 3 Alpine Mountaineering Adventure Leadership Resilience Training expedition to the Dolomites Mountains Italy
Delago Tiger 22 2022 Read More »
Friday 16th – Sunday 18th September Poole Sea Cadets is a large Sea Cadet unit of 60 cadets, each year we aim to get as much of the unit away for a weekend of adventurous training, team building and enjoying what Dorset has to offer. This year thanks to this grant we were able to
Poole Sea Cadets Annual Camp 2022 Read More »
Arco, Northern Italy “The instructors were very encouraging and supportive so I felt like I really improved my climbing. I also gained a lot of other skills from the exped as we were continually pushing ourselves outside our comfort zones. I also really enjoyed the location and the team work involved in ensuring everything went
Northern Heights 22 2022 Read More »
Expedition Dragon Trident, organised by Kyle Munt and Logan Roots, was a 12-day adventurous training exercise where 10 Officer Cadets from East Midlands University Officer Training Corps – completed a sailing trip. The main aim of the expedition was to provide OCdts with sailing experience, that they could take forward in their logbooks for future
EMU Dragon Trident 2022 Read More »
This summer RAF Air Cadets staff & cadets from 1019 (City of Stirling) Squadron, 2284 Dunblane Squadron , 1145 Dunfermline Squadron and 161 – 1st Highland Squadron set off on the adventure of a lifetime onboard Ocean Youth Trust Scotland’s Alba Explorer. The 3 staff and 9 cadets spent 12 days on the boat completing
Gold DofE Sailing Expedition 2022 Read More »
After a long journey by air and road cadets initially established themselves at the camp site in Rjukan before their first full day. The day dawned bright and warm as the cadets initially went on an acclimatisation walk to stretch their legs and test their kit as they followed the steep zig-zag path under the
Telemark Cadet 2022 Read More »
The Yukon – A land of never-ending mountains, endless forests and swarms of mosquitoes. The above statement sums up how the twenty-one participants on Ex DRAGON MAPLE will remember much of the Yukon. The journey from Whitehorse to the base location at Kluane Lake took two and three-quarter hours but the Alaska Highway seemed to
After 2 years of extremely restricted cadet activity Bristol ACF was finally able to deploy its cadets and a few adult instructors on Adventure Training Activities during the summer of 2022. The County has not deployed on its annual camp for 2 years and there has been a marked drop in morale for its personnel
Cadet Adventure Training Activity Days 2022 Read More »
From the 14th to the 28th of August 2022, 10 students and 4 staff from Cambridge University Officer Training Corps took part in a hiking expedition, aiming to complete the famous Tour du Mont Blanc (TMB). Although in the end an outbreak of D & V among the team forced us to restructure our plans,
Dragon Mont Blanc Blue 2022 Read More »
20 members of ULOTC recently took part in Ex Cockney Cragsman 22; OCdts achieved the Summer Mountaineering Foundation qualification by completing training on the Karwendel High Trail in Austria. These Officer Cadets, some of which were new to mountaineering, developed transferrable skills vital to both the Army and wider life such as leadership, problem solving,
Cockney Cragsman 22 0222 Read More »
Expedition Dragon Nessie’s Triad, organised by OCdts Madeleine Messenger and Ellen Bayne, consisted of a two-week Adventurous training exercise for 20 Officer Cadets at East Midlands University Officer Training Corps – a 5 day Mountain Bike Foundation (MBF) course and a 5-day Kayak Foundation course (K2F). The expedition had the main challenge of pushing Officer
Dragon Nessie’s Triad 2022 Read More »
In 2022 we introduced a Volunteer Recognition Scheme, to acknowledge the hard work undertaken by our team of volunteers to support the Trust. The charity is run mainly by volunteers with only a handful of paid staff, so it is important to recognise the vital support provided by our fantastic team. A series of badges
Volunteer Recognition Scheme Read More »
Medical Operation Support Group: 3-11 September 2022. DOLOMITI OWL was an Army Reserve Adventurous Training expedition in the Italian Dolomites. A self-supported, lightweight 8-person team from the Medical Operational Support Unit (MOSU) completed the alpine Alta Via 1 route – 120km and 21,600 feet of ascent – over a challenging 6 days, using mountain huts.
Cambridge UOTC We arrived at our campsite in Corsica after a long thirty hour journey. Everyone was tired and already struggling with the intense heat, but we got cracking with the work quickly. Kit needed unloading from the vans and all the tents had to be unpacked before anyone could even think about relaxing or
Dragon Corsica Blue 2022 Read More »
August 2022 | Bristol University Air Squadron (BUAS) “Across 4 years on BUAS, this expedition stretched me the most.” Introduction In 2021, A/Plt Off O’Boyle devised an adventurous training (AT) expedition plan to Norway to re-trace the footsteps of a daring WW2 Norwegian Commando mission, Op GUNNERSIDE, inspired by the hit film, The Heroes of
Telemark Express 2022 Read More »
“Venturing outdoors and in an area of the UK that I have never been was amazing! It brought me closer to my teammates and refreshed my mind” – Cadet Sergeant William Tano On Friday 22nd July, cadets from East London left the big smoke for the Lake District to undertake a weeklong Adventure Training Camp.
As the Unit Adventurous Training Officer (UATO) for 2 R IRISH and with the pandemic restrictions starting to disappear, I decided it was time to get the ‘boots back on a trail somewhere’. The last unit expedition had been to the Pyrenees, and I wanted to do something similar but keep it in Europe as
Finn Albus Mons 2022 Read More »
ULYSSES TRUST REPORT – UTX 02888/22 – HQ REGIONAL COMMAND CADETS BRANCH – EXERCISE SOLENT CHALLENGER – 15-19 AUGUST 2022. Ex Solent Challenger was the first national Army Cadet sailing expedition to take place for many years. The exercise was delivered in partnership with the Tall Ships Youth Trust which allowed 20 Army Cadets, aged
Solent Challenger 2022 Read More »
26 members of Wales UOTC assembled on a pleasant Friday afternoon excited at the prospect of mountain biking in the French Alps and all looking forward to the 20 hour road trip to the Le Biot, our base for the trip. On arrival at Chalet Hugo the following day we had a few hours to
Dragon Morzine 2022 Read More »
Exercise Dragon Ascent 22 – Tyrol, Austria – 1st to 14th August 2022 Officer Cadet Oliver Goldsack – Exercise ICExercise Dragon Ascent 22 was a 14 day adventurous training exercise which took place this summer in the Austrian Alps. On Monday 1st August, 12 Officer Cadets from East Midlands Universities Officer Training Corps left the
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