Annual Camp
Past history of Hants & IOW ACF annual camps.
Annual Camp is the highlight of the training year, with the aim to consolidate the cadets training received throughout the year, and also allow the cadets to participate in other challenging activities they may not ordinarily do.
Every year we travel to a different part of the country to hold our week long annual camp along with the other companies from Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. Our annual camps are generally held in late July or early August.
Annual Camp 2008
2008's annual camp will be held at Castlemartin Camp (Pembrokeshire, Wales) from 23 to 30 August 2008. Mark these dates on your calendar NOW!
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Annual Camp 2007
A Company Army Cadets 'Make their Mark'
Annual Camp 2007 was one of the best for A Company in recent years. We departed from Aldershot and the surrounding areas on Saturday 4 August for Westdown Camp on Salisbury Plain. Although many cadets had attended annual camp before for some this was the first time they had been away from home for 8 days and were a little apprehensive.
On arrival at camp the coaches parked in the main square, the cadets were given pack lunch meals and told where there accommodation blocks were. Rooms were fairly basic for the cadets, instructors and officers alike but were better than at some camps we've been to! There was time to unpack and meet the other cadets from Hampshire and the Isle of Wight before the first meal in the cookhouse. Unfortunately the dish washer was broken so paper plates were the order of the week, food was plentiful but opinions differed as to the quality!
Cadets assembled by training group for briefings from their training staff at 18:30, this was followed by a fire drill later in the evening and then there was time to locate the NAAFI and relax before roll call and lights out.
Sunday morning started early with reveille at 06:30, breakfast at 07:00 and at 08:00 training started. Cadets are squadded at annual camp according to their training level and are mixed with cadets from the other companies in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight to train together. Each training group then followed a different programme but all the cadets spent time in the field taking part in a military exercise with blank ammunition and pyrotechnics. There was also a day taking part in a variety of adventure training including command tasks, clay pigeon shooting, archery, mountain biking and climbing. The senior cadets also spent a day on the ranges at Bulford while the younger ones carried out military training in camp. For most the highlight of the week was a flight in an army helicopter thanks to the Army Air Corps at Middle Wallop.
On the final county parade we had several of our staff (including myself) and cadets promoted and numerous awards presented. Congratulations on their promotions go to SMI Lavis, SSI Jones, Cadet SSgt Stead, Cadet Sgt Gornall and Cadet Sgt Flanagan. Cadet SSgt Van open was presented with Lord Lieutenants cadet for Hampshire (the second successive year an A Company cadet has achieved this) and cadet CSM Corbishley, Sgt Gornall and Sgt Smith their commandants gold braid. Numerous other awards were made including 3 and 4 star badges and certificates; Sgt Smith was awarded her BTEC First diploma in Public Services. Later cadet CSM Corbishley was promoted to cadet RSM and on our Company parade I presented LCpl Burdock and LCpl Chappel with their promotions. The A Company cadet of the year was presented to LCpl Burdock and Company Commanders cup to SI Anderson. The final award, the Bert Dewey Trophy, for most APC passes went to No. 1 Aldershot Platoon. Overall A Company had an excellent week and have shown the rest of the County we are back on top.
The final event of the week was the disco in the NAAFI on Friday evening before the short journey home on Saturday absolutely exhausted!
Next summer we will be holding our annual camp at Castlemartin in Wales but there are lots more events to take part in before then so if you are in year 8 or above or an adult with spare time contact 01252 310207 for more information about how you can join us.
Major T Farmer
Officer Commanding
A Company
Hants & IOW ACF