Adventure Training
 

Throughout the Air Training Corps both staff and cadets participate in a number of Adventurous Training activities.  Adventure training covers a wide range of activities with hill and mountain walking, abseiling, kayaking, sailing and cycling to name just a few.  Below are more details of some of the activities open to cadets during their time in the ATC.  In all activities the corps adheres to strict guidelines to ensure that competent, trained staff are suitably qualified to conduct the activity, whilst also adopting proactive management on risk assessing every activity that cadets partake in.

Hill Walking

Most cadets during their time within the ATC will have the opportunity to take part in some form of hill walking either as a normal programmed activity or as a part of their Bronze or Silver Duke of Edinburgh Award (click here for more details on DofE).  As a part of the basic cadet syllabus, cadets learn basic navigation skills with map and compass work.  Cadets are trained to carry the right equipment for the individual and the team depending on whether they are out for a day walk, night walk or camping over night.  Cadets learn how to operate as part of a team practicing the skills they have learnt both in the classroom and through training sessions. Cadets are supervised by qualified staff such as BELA, BEL or any of the Mountain Leader Qualifications.

Mountain Walking

A number of cadets, if they desire, will get the opportunity to take part in walking in Mountainous Countryside within courses or there Gold Duke of Edinburgh. This takes the cadets to the next skill level from the hill walking, further challenging both their physical and mental ability while homing their skills.
The Air Cadets currently have two training centres located in Llanbedr, Wales and Windermere in the Lake District. Both these centres are purpose built and hold equipment and a fully qualified staff member dedicated in training and assisting cadets and staff on courses in all aspects of adventure training. As well as the adventure of mountain walking some cadets are also lucky enough to partake in gorge walking at the centres, weather and program permitting.

Canoeing & Kayaking

Throughout the UK cadets have the opportunity to either work on or gain experience towards their star qualifications in canoeing or kyacking. Some cadets also choose to use canoes or kayaks for their Duke of Edinburgh expedition. In Beds & Cambs Wing we are lucky enough to have a number of facilities at our disposal for training cadets and staff. On the grounds of the Wing HQ at the TA centre in Cambridge the wing can use an open water lake for training. As well as this, there are a number of lakes and rivers throughout Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire that the cadets use on a regular basis. One of the other main facilities in the area is the Bedford Priory lakes where cadets can also experience the thrill of white water kayaking on a man made course.

Skiing

Within the ATC there are two major corps wide run ski courses. Exercise Snow Eagle and Zwiesel. Exercise Snow Eagle is course in Germany open to all cadets in the ATC (spaces limited). It is a week long course and covers downhill alpine skiing as well as avalanche training and ski touring. It is open to any beginner or novice cadet whom is physically fit. Zwiesel is a Nordic cross country skiing course. Again a corps wide activity open to all cadets fit enough and lucky enough to be selected. The course is open to all from beginner and novice cross country skiers with the goal to work for the week towards their Bronze, Silver or Gold Nordic Ski Qualification.

22 (Sandy) Squadron Air Cadets