CCF Summer Camp 2008 - Crowborough.

Date: Monday 15 September 2008

On Sunday July 6th, seventeen cadets set out for Crowborough for the annual CCF Summer Camp.When we arrived we were shown our accommodation - basic!, and the weather forecast - nasty!

Day One, a Range Day was scrapped as a result of torrential rain, so cards, ten-pin bowling, and an evening of indoor .22 rifle practice was the replacement agenda.

Tuesday, and the weather relented to allow a day of Personal Development at Bewl Water. Archery, rock climbing and cycling were followed by windsurfing, sailing, canoeing or kayaking, before an evening of competitions, including a very difficult Military Knowledge test.

Wednesday, the rain returned and our Military Skills package was eventually called off after raft building was leading to hypothermia.

On Thursday we were paired with a contingent from King's Rochester for a Fieldcraft day involving section attacks, and 'pairs fire and manoeuvre' competitions. We were described by the Cadet Training Team as possibly the best group they had seen during the whole of the Central Camp!

The final day, Friday, was Competition Day in earnest, and we surprised ourselves by picking up the .22 Rifle Competition, and the March and Shoot, which every contingent was coveting. Prizegiving was followed by camp barbecue, and then back to Canterbury.

Many thanks to all the staff involved: Mrs Barnard, Mr Whitehouse, Guy Hawkins, Mr Mark Hawkins, Sgt Ferguson, and Mr Barnard. Everyone had a good time.

Thanks also to Michael Hawkes for allowing me to paraphrase his report on the week. Yes indeed, - yet another highly successful out of term St Edmund's 'extra'.