HomeWelcome and tourAcademicPastoralExtracurricular activitiesAdmissionsCity in the NewsPublicationsAssociationsContact us KEY DATES

CCF Spring Camps and Events

 

Method of Instruction cadre

We all approached the Method of Instruction cadre (which taught us how to teach others) apprehensively, as we had been told by not only the past students of the cadre, but also by the instructor, that the course is extremely hard work.Arriving at camp, we were excited to hear how we had slightly different rules to the rest of the CCF corps – we had no real lights out time, and sometimes we were not required to wear uniform, but instead could report to lessons in civilian clothing.After the first night, the reality dawned on us. Having been given 3 sides of paper to learn off by heart, in preparation for giving a drill lesson on a certain movement (the right turn at the halt, for example), we set to work learning. Only then did we understand why we had been exempt from lights out, as we stayed up trying to learn the scripts. We also realised how warm CCF clothing is, and the number of layers of civilian clothing needed comparatively to stay warm enough.After a day of intense drill, turnout and lesson demonstrations, we were given our specific lessons and were sent off to learn. The next morning, after a long and restless night, we all delivered our lessons with relative success, with one candidate getting an amazing 94 out of 100. We were then given the next lesson to learn, a skill at arms lesson. This time there was no script, but we were given the cadet manual and told to learn the whole lesson from there. The next morning, now seriously suffering from the lack of sleep, we delivered our lessons. Our success was less than when we taught drill movements, but we still managed a couple of scores in the 80s, quite an achievement considering the marking criteria.The Method of Instruction cadre proved to be hard work, but the grades and marks that were achieved showed that the hard work was worth it. 

Jamie Patel 5A 

 

February camp 2008 – Chickerell

After traveling down in the back seat of the blue truck on advanced party, being treated to a slap up lunch and sorting out all the stores before the rest of the cadets arrived in the late afternoon.  By this time we already had our beds maid and felt as though we had been at camp for days. That evening the camp was started in true CCF fashion with a CO,s film show.

            The main purpose of the camp was for the 3rd form to successfully complete the 1st aid course and drill & turnout for their APC (Army Proficiency Certificate) while the Signals Troop and Infantry Section took part in a methods of instruction cadre or completed their classification training.

            The first few days for Training Section were full of drill and 1st aid lessons (which by the way were full of amusing attempts to bandage various wounds). Between these lessons the cadets also had an introduction to field and camp-craft.

            Since the cadets had no previous experience with compo rations, this left a great chance for us NCOs to stock up on some of the delights in the 24hour rations, including: Yorkie bars, orange powder and oatmeal blocks while explaining the various meal options and cooking instructions.

            Towards the end of the camp the 3rd formers had to complete route cards to allow them to go on a practice self reliance walk, on which the cadets used some of their classic ingenuity to create entertainment using a muddy field and nothing else. The after effects resulted in hours of furious scrubbing to clean their uniform in preparation for their drill and turnout test.

            The overall camp went by without any real hitches, just a small incident! It also offered an unexpected surprises for the Signals Troop and Infantry Platoon during their visit to The Royal School of Signals, Blandford.  They got to see the latest in signals technology and vehicles plus take part in user trials of the new replacement section radio.

            Thanks must go to all Officers, Adult Instructors and SNCOs for another great camp.

 

Sgt Thomas O’Keeffe

 

RAF Halton, February 2008  

The RAF left for their annual February camp at RAF Halton on Thursday 7th after school, rather than at the usual base of Uxbridge which is shortly to be closed. Halton is home to the recruit training base so on arrival we found ourselves surrounded by fresh recruit doing many of the same activities as the cadets, so the base was ideally suited for our purposes. On Friday morning we had an early start (even by CCF standards) and left for RAF Benson to give the cadets some Air Experience Flying, and a chance to look around some of the RAF’s latest helicopters. All of the cadets got at least half an hour in the air, and all got a chance to develop their skills further, some even got a chance to experience the thrill of Aerobatics.

After returning on to Halton we started on the main focus of the camp, which was either preparation for those cadets who are about to do their Duke of Edinburgh Bronze expedition, or basic a Basic First Aid course for the rest. This took up the majority of the Camp, with the D of E group learning how to set up tents and cook 24 hour ration packs. The first aid course was a great success, culminating with all the boys passing, and the NCO’s and officers having to sit through 8 hours of examinations and having to resort to ever more dramatic and elaborate accidents to amuse themselves.

The whole camp was finished off with an extremely successful orienteering exercise which involved small groups attempting to navigate around large areas of repetitive woodland, which was almost entirely a great success.

Mihir Anand