Windermere AT Camp 2015

August 2015 saw 29 cadets and 9 staff from Kent Wing attend an Adventurous Training (AT) camp in the Lake District, based at the National Air Cadet Adventure Training Centre in Windermere. The camp began on Sat 22nd August and lasted 8 days, finishing on Sat 29th. With plenty of sports and activities being run alongside course-like elements, the camp offered fantastic opportunities for all attending while also building upon important AT skills.

Wasting no time on arrival, cadets were met by a kit check followed by a route planning session during which they were split into groups to plot the route they’d be walking the following day. Some would have found route cards old news but for others it was a great introduction to what would be expected of them for D of E expeditions to come.

Sunday onwards meant breakfast at 07:00 for an early start to every day. The separate groups were dropped off at their respective start points and one of the team members would take over navigation, each eventually leading at least one ‘leg’ of the route each. The routes of the groups with more experience took them up Helvellyn, a mountain with a summit at 950m; this would be the first mountain many of the cadets would have climbed but certainly not the last that week! Weather proved to be difficult with wind speeds of over 60 MPH making the ‘bimble’ back down the mountain more of a challenge than going up.

Monday involved a mix of bare rock climbing on slate and practical camp craft training, teaching the cadets important skills including cooking with Trangia stoves and the assembly of ‘force 10’ tents which are capable of withstanding up to force 10 gales. These skills would later be put to the test during the expedition, as well as the tents!

Tuesday brought more sport in the form of kayaking, canoeing and archery as well as letting out the cadets’ competitive nature. After learning the basics, kayakers and canoeists were pitted against each other through a variety of teambuilding games and activities and an archery competition certainly highlighted the Robin Hoods of the camp, or the lack thereof! The day was rounded off by another route planning session, this time for a two day expedition which would involve an overnight in the force 10 tents.

Wednesday & Thursday being the expedition days meant plenty of walking, navigation, scenery, wind and rain, naturally. There was also an opportunity for wild camping which brought about its own unique challenges for those involved making the experience that extra bit more memorable. On the second day those at the wild campsite witnessed a successful mountain rescue first hand, something that certainly won’t be forgotten anytime soon as all were left very impressed by the mountain rescue volunteers’ outstanding work.

Friday represented the last activity day of the camp but certainly didn’t fall short of exciting with a pairs orienteering competition and the highest Go Ape course in the country, needless to say several cadets beat their fear of heights that day! The day was then topped off with a movie and social night.

The camp was an overall success for all involved with many expressing a wish to come back again, if it sounds like it’s for you then keep an eye out for the 2016 calling letter!

Monday involved a mix of bare rock climbing on slate and practical camp craft training, teaching the cadets important skills including cooking with Trangia stoves and the assembly of ‘force 10’ tents which are capable of withstanding up to force 10 gales. These skills would later be put to the test during the expedition, as well as the tents!