Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme (DofE) Silver and Gold Expedition News One
20.02.12
February is when expedition season begins in the Cheshire Army Cadet Force, slowly but surely getting the candidates ready for the ultimate test of the qualifying expedition. The following account and associated photographs are provided courtesy of Sergeant Amanda Gregson, Detachment Commander Frodsham Detachment and an avid walker.
Duke of Edinburgh (DofE) Planning and Preparation Weekend One
22 cadets gathered at Fox Barrack last Friday February 17, to start planning for their Silver and Gold DofE Expeditions. Once kit had been issued and checked, the main task for the evening was to prepare route cards for the following days walk in Moel-y-Parc, North Wales.
Having checked with the Met Office on the weather, we encountered the squally showers that they predicted, but thankfully these made way for a touch of sunshine for the rest of the day. Each group set off with an Adult Instructor to give map reading coaching en-route. The groups’ aim was to also practice re-sections, as part of their Three Star Army Proficiency Certificate Syllabus. All the groups completed the route in a remarkable time and remained relatively dry.
Once back at Fox Barrack and with some warm food inside them, the cadets practiced their pacing and night navigational skills, on the playing fields behind Fox Barracks before the reward of a NAAFI (tuck shop) and a pizza delivery beckoned.
Sunday was about expedition skills, with all participants working through a round robin of tent care, camp cooking, route planning and kit packing. A lot was packed into the weekend, and the cadets worked hard, but it certainly put everyone in a good position for the second Expedition Preparation in April at Warcop.
