It’s been a late start to the DoE year this year. Many of our cadets have only just turned 14 and anyway, March is cold. We chose the longest days of the year to begin our DoE training in the field with a return to Bourton-on-the-Water and Folly Farm campsite. (Ed.)
We arrived at the squadron at 7:30, thinking that we were just going start without any preparation, but we had another think coming. We had to tip out our rucksacks, inside out, and go over all the things we had, and make sure we had all the appropriate equipment, and not too much of the things we didn’t need. Then we had to pile in all the extra equipment, such as tents (of which consisted of inner and outer tents, pegs and poles) and trangias, which may not sound like a lot, but when you spend a weekend with a rucksack, more than a quarter of your weight… it can really take a toll on you and your mental health. When all the necessary preparation was, finished we had to put all the rucksacks in to the Perks’s step-dad’s car (who thankfully lent us a hand in bringing all of the cadets’ rucksacks over to the location). We then were separated into two groups, which we had to 
work in for the weekend, in navigating our way through the Cotswold’s hilly countryside lanes. Our first day was mainly based on getting used to navigating, and learning how to pin-point your location by studying your surroundings, With the help of Corporal Skelton, Plt Off Christlieb, Sgt Sula and Miss Bradley. After a long, seemingly never ending day, after much travelling through cornfields and woods, we arrived at our camp site for the night, with barely enough energy left. After putting up the tents we settled down to cook our meals. Following that we planned our route and then we went to bed. In the morning we cooked breakfast then got ready at 10:30am we set off. The second day was all about us being independent an not needing the staffs help. We got lost a few times but we managed. After hours of walking we got there in time for an ice-cream and a sit down by the river. We then put all our kit into Cdt Perks step dad’s car and went back to the squadron. We then unpacked.
Last Updated on Saturday, 05 December 2009 00:21