Yetholm Camp
Yetholm Camp
Mountain Refuge Hut, Border Ridge, Nr Yetholm
The Squadron’s Adventure Training weekend at Town Yetholm is the first part of a structured adventure training programme, which allows cadets to progress from basic navigation, camping, trekking, and survival training, to a level whereby they are capable of planning and executing an expedition in mountainous terrain in summer conditions by themselves. This standard is required of cadets who wish to go on to do a Duke of Edinburg’s Award Gold Expedition ultimately.
On Friday evening we travel to Town Yetholm in the borders. We will be staying in a scout hut, so in effect what we would be doing is indoor camping. Cadets will provide, take and cook their own food using camping stoves.
On Saturday, Senior/Experienced cadets will do a more demanding high level walk in Cheviot, The Schil and Black Hag Ridge. Less experienced cadets will be doing a lower level walk on the Black Hag Ridge, doing detailed map reading and training en route. Both groups would be working directly in contact with the staff throughout the day.
Saturday evening will include a night exercise in Bowmont Forest, just south of Kelso. Cadets will be in teams, trying to get from one point to another without being detected.
Sunday will follow a similar format. Cadets will set out on a low level walk, and if their navigation reached a reasonable standard on Saturday, they will be allowed to do their walk with staff only supervising them remotely, from a distance. However, all cadet teams will have an experienced cadet navigator with them throughout.
On completion of the walks, cadets will return to the Scout Hut to clean up and pack, before heading home.
Although weather will be considered over the weekend, it is only extreme weather conditions that will cause a retreat to the Hut.
