Army cadets have hailed their first trip abroad since the start of the pandemic as a huge success.
And they even got a visit from their Honorary Colonel Simon Banks-Cooper and RFCA chairman David Rhodes.
Thirty-six senior cadets from Humberside and South Yorkshire Army Cadet Force (ACF) and Yorkshire (North and West) ACF – together with 14 adult instructors – travelled to Cyprus over the Easter holidays for a camp that included range shooting, visits around the island, watersports at the local beach and a helicopter search and rescue experience.
RFCA professional support staff
The RFCA’s professional support staff at the ACF’s Driffield Headquarters were responsible for planning the trip, including booking flights and accommodation and arranging courses and risk assessment.
But the ACF’s adult instructors were on the ground to carry out training and mentor the cadets during their time away.
Packed with activities
“It was a full-on week packed with activities and learning and all the adult volunteers just threw themselves into it all to make sure the cadets had a trip they would remember!”
Adult volunteer Mary Hood said: “The cadets had a fantastic time and thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to be on camp in a sunny location.”
Cadets were pleased to get a surprise visit from their Honorary Colonel Simon Banks-Cooper who flew to Cyprus to check on their progress and was joined on the island by RFCA chair David Rhodes.
Life skills
Simon Banks-Cooper said: “It was a delight to visit the cadets on an overseas trip where the new environment and extended time period noticeably intensifies both the opportunities and experiences in equal measure, be it the practice section attacks in the hills of Cyprus, the ride in a Search and Rescue Helicopter or the day of water sports.
“Trips like this are a real enabler for the development of life skills and sincere thanks go to all the instructors that made the trip so successful.”
