RAF Odiham was the venue for this year's exciting CCF RAF Summer Camp, where six Pocklington School cadets enjoyed a varied programme of activities to put their cadet training to the test!

Upon arrival, the first command task was to set up the military 12 by 12 canvas tents that would be home for the week and get into the swing of camp with some drill, kit inspections and a reconnaissance activity around the base.

The main activities began on Sunday, with a tour of the base fire station. After exploring the engines and safety equipment, a series of mini-competitions followed in which cadets were tasked with saving dummy casualties whilst being hosed down and competing in a tug of war involving the losing team being dragged through the HAZMAT shower. No one seemed to mind getting wet as it was such a hot day. It was just as well really, because as the cadets lined up for a group photograph in front of one of the biggest engines and just as they were all about to say “cheese”, one of the firemen turned on the hose and the photo opportunity was short-lived as cadets scattered pretty quickly!

In case everyone was not wet enough, the cadets headed off to the swimming pool in the afternoon to complete the RAF swimming proficiency certificate before ending the session with water polo and a series of other challenges. The evening was a chance for some sport and drill and kit preparation ahead of the competition on Tuesday evening.

After the antics of the previous day, Monday was an opportunity to take a breath during a visit to The Royal Air Force Museum, which is located on the former Hendon Aerodrome, with five major buildings and hangars dedicated to the history of aviation and the Royal Air Force.

The following day, the cadets had a real treat when they visited the Air Traffic Control tower and watched six Chinook helicopters set off to join the formation for the RAF 100 flypast over Buckingham Palace.  After watching the Chinooks return, the cadets then witnessed a flypast from the three Puma helicopters, nine Hawks (one flown by OP Charlie Tagg 98-05), and three Spitfires, two Hurricanes, the Dakota and the Lancaster from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight on their way home to RAF Coningsby.

In the afternoon the cadets visited the armoury and had the opportunity to see and hold a whole array of weapons, some used by and some confiscated by the RAF over the years. This would hopefully put them in a good frame of mind ahead of the evening’s Drill Competition, but this proved to be closer than originally anticipated with ‘B flight’ having made a significant improvement over just three days practising.

Wednesday’s activities commenced with a series of outdoor command tasks and an indoor scenario based competition entitled “Operation X” which tested cadets’ ability to work as a team and use all the information supplied to solve an ever changing humanitarian aid scenario.

Some sport in the afternoon got the cadets in the mood for watching the world cup semi-final between England and Croatia…!

Thursday was an opportunity for the cadets to get in some air experience flights at RAF Boscombe Down in the Grob Tutor Aircraft, with many having the opportunity to take the controls and fly some aerobatic manoeuvres themselves.  This was a thrilling experience, but more fun was yet to come as go-karting had been arranged at the end of the runway, followed by the main highlight of the week…the evening Chinook helicopter flight! A busy but very memorable day! The following day, the cadets were given a tour of the Chinook helicopter they had flown in, to complete the experience.

Cadet Oliver Kettle said: “As it was my first RAF camp I didn’t know what to expect, but after the first few days I met great people and enjoyed the brilliant once in a lifetime experience of flying in a Chinook military helicopter. I also had the opportunity to go flying at the large base of Boscombe Down in a single propeller plane. The camp was an amazing experience and a great start to the summer!”

Before camp closed, there was a customary award ceremony to recognise achievements of the cadets during the camp.  Upper Sixth Form student, Louisa Cullen was credited for taking on the role of senior cadet and acting as Flight Sergeant.

Mr Dare commented: “Louisa did a super job and deserves great credit.”

John Wright, James Oxford and Josh Toulmin were members of the winning flight in the Inter Flight Competition

Oliver Kettle was awarded for being one of the best and smartest cadets of the week.

Josh Toulmin won an award in the Drill Competition.

Mr Dare said: “It was a fantastic camp.  I would like to thank the cadets, who acquitted themselves well; it is always a pleasure and a privilege to take cadets on camp. Miss Clarke and Mr Long were a fantastic support on what was Mr Long’s last camp after supporting the CCF RAF section for the last eight years.”

He continued: “So much memorable learning takes place outside the classroom and school trips such as these give the cadets opportunities to develop and stretch themselves outside of their comfort zones. I’d hoped to be able to get the cadets up in a helicopter by the end of the week and our wish came true!”

Please click here to view the CCF RAF Summer Camp Flickr Album.