An excellent week was had by all staff and cadets attending this year’s Wing Camp to the National Air Cadet Adventure Training Centre, Llanbedr, with all cadets taking part in all activities.

The Camp Commandant for the week was myself, Sqn Ldr Stonestreet, with Fg Off Hodgson (1350) as my 2 I/C. Plt Off Gary Harding (2495 DF) was the MT Officer; WO David John Morgan (1350 DF); Discip Officer; CI Derek Hutchins (2515) was Equipment Officer; CI Trish Taggart (413) was I/C Female cadets and CI Catherine Rosser (413) was Catering Officer.

The Camp was represented this year by 7 Sqn’s – these were 424, 443, 1308, 1350 DF, 1927, 2260, 2407, 2495 DF and 2515

Throughout the week, we were visited for a couple of days by the Wing Chairman, Mr Geoff Hooper and his wife Trudie. Geoff came out and did a day’s walk with the cadets, and both Geoff and Trudie joined us in the evenings for a meal.

The week consisted of a programme that was very weather dependant – when I arrived in North Wales on the Friday, all the mountains and the hills were covered in snow. However, we were very lucky, as the weather didn’t affect any of the activities, just the days we did them on.

Friday 11th April
I arrive at the National Air Cadet Centre, Llanbedr for a meeting with the Chief Instructor, Clive Higgs. The programme is discussed, and all paperwork for the week completed.

Saturday 12th April –
I and CI Rosser do the shopping for the week in Tesco’s, Porthmadog, whilst the cadets and the remainder of the staff travel to Llanbedr by coach. They arrive at the Centre at 3pm. The remainder of the day is spent doing Kit checks and issuing kit.

Sunday 13th April
All cadets travel to Porthmadog Leisure Centre where they undertake their Swimming Proficiencies, to enable them to take part in the kayaking. They then return to the Centre before going on a Low level walk from Dyffryn Ardudwy, back to the Centre.

Monday 14th April
The cadets spend the morning doing kayak training and are kitted up with wet suits for tomorrow’s kayaking. Once this is completed, they were split into 2 groups to do a mid level walk in the Rhinog Mountains.

Tuesday 15th April
The cadets are split into 3 groups. They spend the day at the Beacon Climbing Centre, doing Indoor Climbing, and at Llyn Padarn, doing kayaking.

 

Wednesday 16th April
All cadets completed the course at “Ropeworks,” a high level ropes course, before spending the afternoon at Coed y Brenin doing Orienteering.

Thursday 17th April
The cadets are split into 2 groups and, led by myself and Clive Higgs, the Centre Instructor, they complete a high level walk up Cadair Idris.

Friday 18th April
All cadets take part in a dry slope ski lesson, before having the opportunity to do some free skiing, at the National Mountaineering Centre, Plas y Brenin.

Saturday 19th April
The Centre is tidied and handed back to the Centre staff, before the coach departs at 9am, on its 7 hour journey home.

All cadets had a great time and I believed all slept all the way home.

Want to see some more pictures? CLICK HERE

Colin Stonestreet
Sqn Ldr
WATTO