CCF Easter Camp

Thirteen boys from Chalmers West departed for Cameron Barracks, Inverness, in the final week of the Lent term. The main purpose of the camp was to provide training in expedition techniques relevant to the Bronze Duke of Edinburgh award and to, conditions permitting, undertake a final assessed expedition at the end of the week.

Some rather cold and snowy conditions greeted our arrival in Inverness resulting in a rather hastily arranged change of plan and a first night under canvas outside the accommodation block! In hindsight this actually provided plenty of time for the boys to get to grips with the finer points of camp cookery and to learn about some of the equipment that they would be using in a controlled environment.

The following two days were spent walking in the Cairngorms learning navigation techniques with some focus on group work and dealing with emergencies. A memorable day was spent on Meall a Buachille, behind Glenmore Lodge, involving glorious weather and spectacular snow slides.

The final assessed expedition was held in the Strathfarrar area; a scenic glen with convenient access but no cars. The boys made good time on another glorious day to set up camp just above the first main dam. Displaying impressive camp craft for a group of relative novices, they successfully fed themselves without the usual chaos one associates with a D of E Bronze group. After a very cold night, some trickier navigation led back to the start and a short drive back to barracks in time for a welcome cooked meal. Everyone had reached the standard required to pass the expedition.

With the snowline continually rising, the following day was spent walking in the area of the Cairngorms between Lurchers Crag and Coire an Lochain but deteriorating weather saw us bid an early retreat. After a final R and R day of paintballing and looking around Fort George we returned to school on the Wednesday morning.

Thanks go to Mr Hambling for all the admin and logistics and also to Dr Russell and Mr Syme for their experience and leadership.