Cross-Country Chess

Lent term’s CCF training programme for our A-block cadets contains quite a range of activities. This term, we are using our permanent orienteering course laid out around the school grounds for the first time since its installation. Orienteering is a superb sport, involving navigation and decision-making on the move, as participants negotiate a cross-country course using a special map (below). Several of our staff are active orienteers.

The sport is strongly suited to independent-minded cadets – they may compete at Camps or join the local club – it is all about sparking an interest! (It isn’t necessarily the fastest / fittest who make the best orienteers – it is often compared to cross-country chess...) Repton CCF trains our cadets firstly to use traditional compass navigation and control punches around our own land, then cadets progress to bigger, harder or unknown courses on military and civilian training areas, and gain experience using the Contingents’ modern electronic punches and controls. So, if you see cadets trotting around, map in hand, searching for controls, give them a cheer as they pass!