ARMY CADETS MAP OUT A SPECTACULAR SUMMER

The Summer holidays got off to an energetic start for teenage Cadets from Northern Ireland as they tackled a packed programme of sport and outdoor pursuits at Annual Camps in England.

While many of their teenage classmates used the holidays to catch up on social media, snatch a few post-exam lie-ins, or simply hang around at home, these motivated teens faced a fortnight of challenge, craic and camping.

Colonel Keith Dowell, Commandant of 2nd (Northern Ireland) Battalion Army Cadet Force said, “Annual Camp continues to be a highlight of the Cadet year.  It’s a great opportunity for kids to let off steam and enjoy themselves after a tough year in school. However, while school may be out for Summer, learning certainly doesn’t stop, for our Cadets learn great new skills at Annual Camp where they have the opportunity to try all kinds of new sports and outdoor pursuits.

“Providing those opportunities, complete with expert tuition and professional supervision, would stretch most family budgets but, for Cadets, annual camp costs are kept deliberately low – earning great feedback from mums and dads!  As a matter of policy we aim to ensure that all our activities are either low cost or totally free. We even provide free uniforms!  

“Even more important, parents know that we’ll work to bring out the best in their kids, helping them not only to build skills and confidence, but also to make lasting, supportive friendships.  As the Cadets from Northern Ireland demonstrate, real life played out in the Great Outdoors with your mates can be much more rewarding than virtual living with mobile and computer!”