CCF Adventurous Training- every cloud has a silver lining....

Earlier in the year, Repton CCF had organised an action-packed residential AT camp for the start of the summer break, at an Army Adventurous Training centre at Capel Curig, North Wales. Sadly, in an unprecedented turn of events the trip had to be canceled. Not to be defeated, our School Staff Instructor, Adjutant Capt John Wadsworth, swiftly organised a self-sufficient replacement AT event, which has been a tremendous success.

The participating volunteer cadets have enjoyed obtaining NGB qualifications in sailing (5 cadets) and windsurfing (6 cadets), as well as all developing skills in marksmanship (paintballing, air rifle, and .22 small-bore rifle shooting), climbing, kayak, canoe, off-road cycling, and in a memorably soaking wet daywalk over Mam Tor, navigation skills.

Maj Paul Whitaker (OIC Army Section and a qualified chef) supplied all catering, Lt Rachel Randle leapt straight from this AT trip to her 6 week adventure in Canada, and Mr Edward Shawcross introduced appreciative cadets to the “countryside storybook”. Capt Wadsworth found time to encourage novice adult staff to have a splash at windsurfing, which amused the cadets. More importantly, all the cadets (including the two NCOs, Cpls Keen and Teal) impressed by their will to learn and their easy-going humour.

Four CCF cadets also executed their DofE Gold exped practice recently, and next year there is s strong take-up amongst CCF cadets at both Silver and Gold DofE levels.

There are tremendous Adventurous opportunities available every month of the year, through the CCF. (Here are two examples: Lt Randle’s 6 week Canada trip was also open to all of our 16 year old cadets to go on - 6 more international CCF expeds will go again next year, and in the February half-term, winter mountain proficiency courses are available in Scotland’s Cairngorm mountains- it’s a good course, I’ve done it!).

My advice to Repton CCF cadets? Take advantage of the CCF’s opportunities, both weekly here at school and on a wider stage. The information is made available to you all, and it would be great to see cadets grasping the initiative.

Maj Gary Lawrence
Contingent Commander
Repton School CCF