FIRST EVER RESIDENTIAL CAMP FOR LAURELHILL COLLEGE CCF

Laurelhill College Combined Cadet Force embarked on their first ever residential summer camp; with previous camps having been cancelled due to Covid-19. We applied for and were awarded a camp at Crowborough in southern England along with about 20 other schools and 450 cadets in total. Initially we were told we had to coach our way via Scotland which we all thought would be a pretty tough journey; however, common sense prevailed and we flew to Gatwick which was only about an hour away from the camp.

For the first day we were adventurous training which involved mountain biking and wall climbing in the morning, then raft building, canoeing and paddle boards in the afternoon. Day 2 was in camp and a favourite of many of the cadets with clay pigeon shooting, live indoor range shooting, paintball, escape rooms and the assault course. Days 3 and 4 were in the field practising pairs fire and manoeuvre and section attacks and TIBUA, after a comfortable night under the stars we then went into axe throwing, catapults and blowpipes before finishing with a proper TIBUA exercise. Early to bed for tired cadets and adults alike to prepare for Competition Day on Friday.

There were 10 events to compete in starting with a drill competition, Indoor range, clay pigeon shooting, assault course and much more. Against all the odds Laurelhill were awarded the best overall contingent; with which we were slightly shocked, but obviously delighted.

Great friends were made throughout the week with other cadets from 11 Brigade with whom we were paired throughout the week and hopefully we may meet them again at Summer Camp 2023.”

“I wasn’t sure if I was going to go to camp at all as I have never been away from home, but I won 5 individual medals in the competition and we won best contingent” (Oliver Walker – aged 14)

“I really struggled with things like the assault course, but I made it over everything and I was awarded one of three most improved cadets of the week” (Ethan Fleming – aged 14)

The CCF were also fortunate to avail of some welcome equipment from the “Cadet Growth Grant”, which is still available for application through the Cadet Expansion Programme with options for applying for up to £10,000 for infrastructure and £5,000 for equipment. Some new bikes and accessories will certainly add to the quality of training!