Army Cadets from Grantham take to the water!

Army Cadets from Grantham, Louth and Market Rasen had a fantastic time over the weekend of 17 – 19 Feb 2012 at Beckingham Training Camp, near Newark where they learnt some new skills in the art of canoeing. This will be the first time that we will have done a DofE canoeing expedition and the cadets are really excited about it.

The training took place in preparation for their forthcoming DofE Silver Canoeing expedition which they are due to participate in at the end of March when they are going to canoe up the river from Farndon near Newark to the Brayford Pool in Lincoln.

On the Saturday the cadets started off indoors where they learnt about the equipment that they were going to use and some theory work, they also learnt how to use a groundsheet to make a shelter using their canoes.

After lunch the cadets went out on the lake and put some of their new skills to the test and practiced swapping seats in the canoe, different types of strokes and how to turn around in a tight circle. In the evening they were back in the classroom and planning their routes for their expedition. 

The Sunday was again spent on the lake using more skills including using a second canoe as a sail, they were very surprised how fast they were able to go! Back to camp for a well earned lunch and departed to home locations with some homework of planning their food for the expeditions which they have to cook themselves.

By the time the cadets have completed their training, the practice and qualifying expedition they will each be qualified at 2* level BCU (British Canoe Union) which is a good qualification to hold for these young people.

If you are interested in joining the Army Cadet Force as a Cadet, Adult Instructor or an Officer please look at our website at www.armycadets.com/county/lincolnshire-acf or contact Cadet Executive Officer Major D Mullock at Battalion Headquarters on 01522 528109 ext 1.