After a nervous Sunday morning waiting for negative lateral flow test results from both cadets and staff 222 were good to go!

Monday morning 07.00hrs and 222 were mobile. Eighteen cadets and seven staff made the trip. Following the obligatory McDonald’s stop we arrived at the Peak centre Edale at lunchtime. A quick lunch and then straight to Peak cavern for a guided tour. An excellent tour as well as an interesting nick name for the cave providing much amusement! Back to the centre for admin, unpacking and day two briefing followed by the first of many hearty meals. Dinner consumed and duties complete a sports evening was next on the agenda. 22.00hrs and lights out.

Tuesday morning 06.00hrs reveille and an early breakfast ready for a day of scrambling and walking. Thankfully the weather remained dry and broke nicely when we reached the summit to open some spectacular views. As always, the staff teams threw in some first aid, leadership and teamwork scenarios which were not always gleefully received by some tiring cadets!

A gratefully received dinner, duties, briefing and then the squadron quiz night. After some dubious marking the staff team somehow came second but they took this in the spirit of which you would expect!!

22.00hrs and lights out.

Wednesday morning and another 06.00hrs reveille, breakfast and ready for a day of rock climbing/scrambling, mountain biking and orienteering.

All activities were carried out with enthusiasm some excellent teamwork and communication skills displayed.

After a long day it was back to the centre for the next of the lateral flow tests, all negative and ready for dinner.

Duties, briefing and then movie night. 22.00 hrs and lights out.

Thursday morning and a treat for the cadets and staff this morning as the Squadron OC carried out reveille duties!

Early breakfast and then straight out for a short sharp session of hill walking to blow the cobwebs away.

Following a quick lunch, it was off to Sheffield for some endurance Karting. Some interesting driving ensued and after a close session the OC’s team were victorious (the staff had decided this was probably the best outcome for everyone!) onto the podium to receive medals. Just enough time remained to head off for some Ten pin bowling and food.

Back to the centre and camp presentations ensued which were superbly presented by the NCO team. Oh no, it came to light that the OC’s winning Karting medal had gone missing!!! After much deliberating and finger pointing it transpired that the OC had just mislaid it!! The evening was rounded off with the camp party and celebration and a late light’s out.

Friday morning and the OC provided the final special reveille. Breakfast, packing and cleaning duties followed as we prepared for the journey home.

The journey home was broken up by a visit to the International Bomber Command Centre in Lincoln.

Following a guided tour of the grounds, we then toured the exhibition with some of the cadets carrying out an interactive WW2 bombing raid.

This had provided us all with some time for thought and reflection particularly relevant with remembrance Sunday so nearly upon us.

Just enough time remained for a good look around the gift shop.

The journey home of course had to include a McDonald’s stop and back to Squadron HQ for 19.15hrs.

A very rewarding week with cadets coming together, working very hard, learning new skills and developing many other attributes. New friendships were forged and most importantly many young people (and older people) having a lot of fun.