take the test ANNUAL CAMP

All set for annual camp? Lt Col Mike Doyle, Deputy Commandant, Middlesex and North West London ACF, puts your knowledge to the test.

Why is annual camp so significant in the Army Cadets calendar?

Annual camp is something cadets work towards throughout the entire year and is a culmination of their training. The syllabus is broken down into star grades and, as long as they attend everything throughout the training year, cadets should pass their next star badge at the end of annual camp.

Camp is also the only time in the year when the whole County lives and trains together for an extended period, so it's also a time to mix with friends and make new ones.

What’s the best way to prepare?

It’s key to listen to instructions given by your detachment commander. They will brief you on what you will be doing at camp and provide a kit list. Even at the same annual camp not every cadet will be doing the same thing, so you need to make sure you have everything you need for the activities you'll be involved in.

To go to camp you'll need to pass your basic training test and have spent a weekend away with Army Cadets. That weekend separated from your family will help you get used to being away from home; annual camp may last one or two weeks and we don’t want cadets to get really homesick during that time.

Advice for nervous first-timers?

Have a chat with one or two senior cadets before you go. We get a lot of cadets who are nervous about attending annual camp for the first time, yet almost all come back declaring it one of the best experiences they’ve ever had. Give it a chance by talking to others who've been before and know what it's like.

What if cadets fear they'll be out of their depth in the activities?

It’s natural to feel apprehensive before you go away for the first time, but be reassured that the training you do will be pitched at your level. We won't expect you to be Rambo! For instance, if you're asked to sleep out in the field for a couple of nights, you won't be left on your own or left to the elements. Experienced instructors will be looking after you.

How can cadets get the most out of annual camp?

Some cadets might feel apprehensive about a particular activity, but the advice is to get stuck in and give it a go. Often cadets find that once they give an activity a try, they enjoy taking part and usually go home with lots of fun stories.

How should cadets cope with feeling homesick?

One of the best ways to deal with feeling homesick is to phone home. There is time built into the itinerary for cadets to ring their parents or guardians. If they don’t have access to a phone, an instructor will be able to set them up with one.

Cadets experiencing homesickness can also talk to friends, senior cadets and instructors. There is also a padre at annual camp who is there to support cadets with all welfare concerns and will be happy to talk about anything they might be experiencing.

What personal attributes do cadets gain at annual camp?

At all levels of the syllabus cadets learn selfreliance. To follow their camp programme they need to be something of a self-starter and be prepared for all of their activities.

They'll also learn to work as part of a team. Most cadets go home with a huge group of new friends –even best friends – because they have worked together on tasks and bonded during activities and downtime.

Everyone also gains some kind of leadership experience, which ranges from senior cadets doing their 4-Star fieldcraft to a cadet on their first annual camp who takes responsibility for a domestic job.

Final word of advice for cadets and CFAVs attending annual camp?

Even if they've been heavily briefed beforehand, they should be prepared for it all to be thrown out of the window. For example, they might lose a training area they had booked and be faced with a plan B. If cadets and CFAVs can go with the flow in every situation and enjoy it for what it is, they'll have the best time.