Air Cadets Multi-Activity Camp at Gosforth Park
Air Cadets Multi-Activity Camp at Gosforth Park
Air Cadets from 861 (Wideopen), 733 (Newcastle Airport) and 1114 (Gosforth) Squadrons have taken part in an exciting multi-activity weekend camp based at Gosforth Park and Kingston Park TA Centre. Cadets had the opportunity to participate in a wide range of activities including archery, campcraft training, leadership exercises, target shooting, map and compass training, flight simulation and radio communications in addition to camping out in the woods! It was an extremely busy weekend supported by adult staff from all three Squadrons involved in the camp.
Check out all of the photos here!
Some of the 21 cadets attending the camp had never camped out before so there was a pretty steep learning curve for the young people involved! Two cadets achieved their Regional Marksmanship Awards and all of the cadets were awarded their Provisional Radio Operator licenses which qualifies them to use radio communications equipment.
The cadets learnt about how to setup their tents correctly, how to cook meals to provide adequate nutrition for the strenuous activities they were involved in during the course of the camp and how to navigate using a map and compass. This expedition training sits at the heart of the expedition section of the Duke of Edinburgh Award. All Air Cadets are automatically enrolled onto the Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Award as part of the Air Cadet Organisations core syllabus of training and the organisation is the largest participant in the award in the United Kingdom.
At 733 (Newcastle Airport) Squadron, cadets were taught the basic principles of flight using flight simulators. The cadets ‘flew’ in realistic simulated light aircraft that they will later fly for real at RAF Leeming. Cadets also had the chance to fire a small-bore rifle on a target shooting range with two cadets achieving the tough standards of the Regional Marksmanship Award.
861 (Wideopen) Squadron Commanding Officer, Flight Lieutenant James Elliott, said “I am really pleased that we were able to offer the cadets such a varied camp based at Gosforth Park. I would like to extend my thanks to Newcastle Racecourse for allowing us to use this wonderful and varied training area which is exactly what we need to act as a base for cadet training”.
Camp Commandant, Flight Lieutenant John Sheedy of 733 (Newcastle Airport) Squadron commented that “This kind of camp is a brilliant example of what we can achieve when a number of Squadrons pool their resources and work together. Cadets have learned valuable skills and lessons and achieved recognised awards that all contribute to the Duke of Edinburgh Award and their BTEC in Aviation Studies”.
The Air Cadets is open to all young people aged 13-17 years. There are 35 Squadrons in Durham/Northumberland Wing and the chances are there is a unit near you! Why not visit www.raf.mod.uk/aircadets to find out what Air Cadets are getting up to where you live, find out where your nearest Squadron is and join the premier youth organisation in the UK? 861 (Wideopen) Squadron is recruiting now – we are located behind Woodlands Hall in Wideopen and meet every Monday and Thursday, 7-9.30pm.
