Kent Army Cadet Force (ACF) successfully organised a one-of-a-kind three-star level, higher-level challenging event complying with the ACS 21 Training syllabus.
The participants were split into four teams over the week, and they carried out a mountaineering day, a climbing/zipline day, a canyoneering day, and an underground experience day.
Despite the harsh weather conditions, including rain and wind, the cadets and CFAVs successfully completed all the activities. The event was made possible with the help of appropriately qualified specialist local companies. The funding for the event was provided by ACCT UK and SERFCA, with additional assistance from the County HQ.
Lance Corporal Kyle Davies, Ditton Detachment, tells us a bit about his experience:
“My best and favourite activity on the Exercise April Dragon weekend would most definitely be the caving (underground experience). It was fascinating learning about the cave’s history and purpose, this was that the slate mine was used for the tiles on top of Buckingham Palace.
My other favourite part of the week in Wales would be the canyoning, it was great fun sliding and jumping down all the water falls and pools of water. I also enjoyed the mountaineering, which although it may not have been as action packed as the other activities exploring rural, scenic Wales was amazing with many great views, also learning about how glaciers had formed the surrounding landscape was very interesting. They were all good experiences.
Although these were all fun experiences I did face a few challenges. For example, I have never been a huge fan of heights and during the caving we had to abseil down a wall, looking down at the drop I was very nervous. But thanks to my friend’s encouragement I persevered through it and managed to accomplish it.
Starting out as a cadet I was nervous about talking to anyone, thanks to cadets I have now overcome these obstacles and I am able to help other cadets that were in my position.
