Exercise April Dragon

Kent Army Cadet Force (ACF) has successfully organised a one-of-a-kind three-star level, higher-level challenging event complying with the ACS 21 Training syllabus. The decision to organize this event was made in November 2022, and it was carried out on 9th April with the participation of 24 cadets and six Cadet Force Adult Volunteers (CFAV’s) from Kent ACF and one CFAV from Essex ACF.

The participants were split into four teams for 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, wind, and even snow, the cadets and CFAVs successfully completed all the activities. The event was made possible with the help of appropriately qualified specialist local companies, and the total cost was just under £6,000. The funding for the event was provided by ACCT UK and SERFCA, with additional assistance from the County HQ. As a result, all participants were only required to pay a nominal fee of £30.

Throughout the event, the participants were given notebooks to anonymously share their comments, feelings, or general observations about the entire experience. The feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with many cadets and CFAVs stating that it was the best activity they had done in years.

From an organizational standpoint, the event was a success in many ways. The county was able to plan and execute a different AT event, which had not been done for a very long time. The cadets gained accreditation on Westminster, complying with the 3 Star ACS Syllabus, and were taken out of their comfort zones, challenging them both physically and mentally.

The team members were selected by the County DofE Officer, with no knowledge of detachment/friendship groups, which allowed them to form relationships with people they had never met before. This encouraged the development of new friendships and relationships that would not have been possible in a different environment.

Overall, the event was a great learning opportunity for both the cadets and the CFAVs. They were challenged, developed new skills, and formed new relationships. The event was a great success, achieving its aim of providing a fun, challenging experience that pushed participants to see how far they could push themselves.

More photos here