When their trip to Austria was cancelled due to Covid, 20 cadets thought their ski dreams were well and truly over for the year.
But thanks to RFCA staff at the Humberside and South Yorkshire Army Cadets’ Driffield headquarters, they can now look forward to taking to the slopes – albeit closer to home.
The RFCA’s permanent support staff have been working hard behind the scenes, together with adult volunteers, to rearrange the cadets’ ski trip– this time to Aviemore, in Scotland’s Cairgorns.
Hopes high
“Our cadets are thoroughly excited about heading off to Scotland and hopes are high that it will provide great conditions for skiing,” said commanding officer of A company army cadets Major Richard Lenton, pictured above, who is also an expert military ski instructor.
“We couldn’t be happier that our cadets are going to have a half term adventure to remember after all.”
Though snow cannot be guaranteed, forecasts are good and even if no snow falls and arrangements have been made for the cadets to have access to a man-made snow zone as a fall-back.
Our role
“We’ve been working closely with cadet force adult volunteers to ensure cadets will get their ski trip despite the Covid setbacks,” said the RFCA’s cadet executive officer Tim Atkinson.
“Our role has been to arrange accommodation, catering and transport as well as carrying out all the safeguarding and health and safety checks needed before the trip can go ahead.”
The plan is to offer three beginner ski courses with eight students in each group. There will also be other adventurous training opportunities such as mountain biking, canoeing and hill walking.