Adventure Training 

On our Squadron, adventrue training is a big part of squadron with 4 of our staff specialising in this catagory. This consists of mountain biking, walking, kayaking, climbing, caving and camping. Our wing puts on many different competions, camps and experiences for those who like AT. Our squadron puts on an annual AT camp for the squadron which is great fun and also is a good way to spend a week in the summer holidays. 

224 Sqn runs a Duke of Edinburghs award scheme programme, each cadet is encouraged to complete the Bronze level award and there is the opportunity for interested cadets to continue onto Silver and Gold level awards. The DofE scheme has four main parts and participants need to spend a minimum amount of time on each section in order to achieve the award, the Bronze level can be started at age 14 and usually takes about 9-12 months to complete. The sections are;

Volunteering

Volunteering is all about making a difference to other people’s lives. Perhaps you’re interested in animals or conservation? Or you might like to work with older people or raise money for a cause that means a lot to you? The Volunteering section of your DofE enables you to give your time to help others and change things for the better.

Physical

The Physical section is a chance for you to focus on your health and fitness and have fun along the way. As long as you pick something that requires a sustained level of energy and physical activity, the possibilities are endless. Improve your football, rock climbing or dance skills or try a completely new sport or activity. Join a team or do it on your own. You don’t have to be super fit or world class – with the DofE, it’s about setting your own challenges, giving 100% and being the very best you can be.

Skills

The Skills section is about discovering what you’re really good at. Maybe you want to get better at something you already do, like playing a musical instrument, or learn something for the very first time, like how to design a website? By developing practical and social skills and nurturing your personal interests and talents, you’ll boost your self-esteem and your CV.

Expedition

As part of a small team, you’ll plan and complete a practice and final expedition that will truly stretch your horizons. You’ll improve your communication and leadership skills and take a rucksack full of memories home with you. More information and section ideas can be found on the DofE website - www.dofe.org

The two day walk took place on the 21st and 22nd of May and we walked from Boulmer to Spitalford campsite to Seahouses. The five people that went on the expedition were, Cadets Shearer, Bingham (myself), Barry, Wells and Homer.

After setting off from Boulmer, we walked for about ten minutes and then we stopped to sort out a single bag, but ended up taking many, many pictures, including panos and selfies.

Walking along, with many stops taking many pictures and selfies, we met up with Mr Kitkatt and Flight Sergeant we had been walking for less than an hour, and we were nearly half way through the first day of walking. They told us to slow down...we didn't and got to the campsite at about 1430 and left to our own devices.

We then cooked tea, which was pasta with Bolognese sauce and jelly in pots for pudding and a hot chocolate. A little while later, after cleaning up, we took a stroll along the beach up to Bamburgh castle and sat on an ancient sea bed and talked about many things. As it was getting dark, we started to head back to the campsite and I caught the others on camera as silhouettes which was very nice.

We woke early in the morning and cooked breakfast. I had pasta, with tomato sauce with mini sausages and a hot chocolate. The others had porridge. We also had bags of cereal which we munched along the way.

After walking past a golf course, we walked along a small path and got swarmed by horse flies. There were other DofE groups walking along the same paths for that first part and we passed one group and they followed us and there was another group ahead of us, so there was a silent, unofficial race going on between us.

On route to our last checkpoint located in a town before Seahouses, we diverted and walked alongside the route, but on the beach instead and we met someone who said they couldn't understand why you have to carry so much on a DofE exped.

Once at the checkpoint, we asked around for an ice-cream shop, but couldn't find one, so held on in the heat until Seahouses.

Nearing Seahouses, we saw another group going in the opposite direction to us and we started shouting "YOUR GOING THE WRONG WAY!!" to each other "and then we finally got to Seahouses after walking through a field of wheat and rubbing my hand against the top grass stems, which was very nice, but wet, so the people at the front of the line were soaked and the people at the back were bone dry, and Shearer and Barry, who were at the front, tried to swap with Homer and Wells, who were at the back (I was sandwiched in the middle, so I was getting damp.), but they lost and where stuck at the front.

We finally left Seahouses with tummies full of doughnuts and hundreds (really) of photos, and headed for home.