Adventure Training in the ACF
The Aim of ACF Adventurous Training (AT) is to develop, through authorised challenging pursuits and within an outdoor environment, leadership and the qualities necessary to enhance the performance of the cadets as members of the ACF and in any chosen career on leaving the Army Cadet Force
Adventure Training the ACF
Fancy doing some of this?
Abseiling
Climbing
Kayaking
Open Canoeing
Hill Walking
Expedition Training
Biking
Caving
Skiing
Would you get all
this anywhere else?
You can now do any of these activities through the cadets
You may be able to do them through our own unit, but if not there are opportunities to go to one of the cadet centres for adventurous training, where you can spend a week or a weekend
Some activities have age limits
To go to the CCAT you must be 16 years of age and travel with another cadet
For more information click on http://www.armycadetadventure.info/
Courses for Cadets
Cadet Proficiency Courses. These courses will be run over the school summer holidays at Cwrt-y-Gollen, Dingwall and Halton. They are open to Cadets of 16 years or over who wish to spend a week gaining proficiency in an AT activity. Most courses are based on the Proficiency and Foundation courses run by the Joint Services Mountain Training Centre, and registered with them. More detail is given in References B and C. Bids for these courses should be made on the application form no later than the end of February.
Courses on offer are as follows.
The Summer Mountain Proficiency Course: covers all the skills required for walking in the mountains in summer conditions. You will learn about navigation skills, clothing and equipment, emergency procedures, food and how to cook it, environmental issues, weather and how to predict it and skills specific to the mountains. Most of the course will be practical and will include a 48 hour expedition.
You will need to be 16 years or older, be physically fit and have passed expedition training at 2-star APC (ACF) or have equivalent experience.
If you get through the course successfully you can take part in expeditions in summer conditions with others who are also at SMP level, as long as you know the ground and it is not in steep or rocky terrain. This may include Duke of Edinburgh's Award expeditions. When you reach 18 you can then go on to attend Mountain Leader Training either hrough the military system or the civilian National Governing Body system.
The Kayak Foundation Course is designed to train you in the skills required to pass the BCU 1-star and 2-star kayaking proficiency tests. You will learn to be confident on the water, gain paddling skills and be able to carry out simple rescues.
You will also learn about different types of kayaks and the associated equipment, capsize drills and journeying. The instruction will be mainly practical on various types of water. Some techniques may be practiced in a local swimming pool. You will need to be 15 years or older, physically fit, able to swim and have a little experience on the water.
If you are successful you can kayak with a qualified instructor, and gain more experience. You can then go on to undertake a Canoe Safety Test (good paddlers may be able to do this during the weeks course) followed by a BCU Level 1 coach course.
The Basic Rock Climbing Course covers the skills required to rock climb in safety. You will learn about anchors and belays, abseiling, climbing techniques, access issues and if you have the ability, lead climbing. The instruction will mainly be
practical, on a variety of crags and on climbing walls.
You will need to be 16 years or older, be physically fit and have had a little experience of climbing, either with your own unit, or at a CCAT weekend.
If you are successful on the course you can climb with someone else of the same standard. With some additional experience you should, on reaching 18, be able to attend a Single Pitch Award training course. If you wish to try multi-pitch climbing, which you would need to have done to gain any of the military climbing qualifications, you can attend a full Rock Climbing Proficiency Course (RCP) some time after attending the BRC, and then go on for the Rock Leader Training course.
The Open Canoe Foundation Course is designed to train the candidate in the skills required to pass the BCU 1-star and 2-star open canoe proficiency tests. You will learn to be confident on the water, gain paddling skills and be able to carry out simple rescues. You will also undertake a short journey. The instruction will be mainly practical on various types of water.
You will need to be 15 years or older, physically fit, able to swim and have a little expereince. If you are successful you can canoe with a qualified instructor, and gain more experience. You could also undertake a canoe expedition on sheltered water such as a canal .You can then go on to undertake a Canoe Safety Test (good paddlers may be able to do this during the weeks course) followed by a BCU Level 1 coach course. Alternatively you may go on to BCU 3-star training.
The Caving Proficiency Course is designed to teach and practice the skills required to explore caves within your own limitations. You will learn about cave systems, equipment, safety issues, environmental issues, and the many different types of caves including horizontal and vertical, flooded, dry, hot, cold, humid, drafty, muddy, sandy, the list goes on and on. Most caves in the
You will need to be 16 years or older, be physically fit, and be confident in underground situations. If you are successful, on reaching 18 years old you may go on to learn more advanced techniques at the Joint Services Caving Centre at Ripon,
BCU Level 3
Canoeing is an exciting, adventurous, competitive and recreational activity from which much of the enjoyment and adventure comes from the natural environment around you. Every canoeist must remember to respect all wildlife and take care not to damage or destroy the environment by observing the Canoeist’s Code of Conduct. The BCU 3 Star Award is a landmark within the award scheme. Successful performance at this level indicates that candidates can consider themselves as intermediate
canoeists rather than beginners.
During this course you will be taught advanced paddling techniques and rescue drills, safety, First Aid, how to plan for a canoe trip and journeying. There will be separate courses for kayak and open canoe depending on having enough takers. You will need to hold the BCU 2-star award, be 16 years or older and be an experienced paddler.
Successful candidates may undertake expeditions at the Gold level of the Duke of Edinburgh's Award on moving water. You may also, on reaching 18 years of age, undertake a BCU level 2 coach training course.
Ski Courses 2008
Ski Courses 2008
Ski Cadet
Introductory course
Basic Ski Proficiency
Advanced Ski Proficiency
Snowboarding
Cost £300 Bid by 20 Dec with £100 deposit
Dates 9-16 Feb
Total Vacancies – 39
Ski CCAT (Adults)
Basic Ski Proficiency
Advanced Ski Proficiency
Cost £300. Bid by 20 Dec with £100 deposit
Dates 23 Feb-1 Mar 08
Total vacancies 37
Ski Weekends
Three weekend courses based at Norwegian Lodge in
|
Dates |
Bid by |
Vacs |
|
22-24 Feb |
5 Jan 08 |
24 |
|
7-9 Mar |
12 Jan 08 |
18 |
|
21-23 Mar |
26 Jan 08 |
24 |
Those enrolled at Gold level in the Duke of Edinburgh's Award may count any of these courses as a Residential Project. Those undertaking SMP may use this as a Practice journey for a Silver or Gold expedition on foot. The activities will also contribute towards units of the BTEC in Public Services.
It should be noted that all courses and activities are dependent on enough takers to make it viable. If any course does not reach the minimum take up, candidates will be offered an alternative activity or date.
D3 Winter Skills - Cadets and Adults
9-16 Feb 08 Dingwall
Cut off date for bids - 31 Dec
Vacancies
|
Introductory Course |
16 |
|
|
12 |
D4 Winter Skills - Cadets and Adults
16-23 Feb 08 Dingwall
Cut off date for bids - 31 Dec
Vacancies
|
Introductory Course |
18 |
|
|
12 |
Ski Courses 2008
Ski Cadet
Introductory course
Basic Ski Proficiency
Advanced Ski Proficiency
Snowboarding
Cost £300 Bid by 20 Dec with £100 deposit
Dates 9-16 Feb
Total Vacancies – 39
Ski CCAT (Adults)
Basic Ski Proficiency
Advanced Ski Proficiency
Cost £300. Bid by 20 Dec with £100 deposit
Dates 23 Feb-1 Mar 08
Total vacancies 37
Ski Weekends
Three weekend courses based at Norwegian Lodge in
|
Dates |
Bid by |
Vacs |
|
22-24 Feb |
5 Jan 08 |
24 |
|
7-9 Mar |
12 Jan 08 |
18 |
|
21-23 Mar |
26 Jan 08 |
24 |
COURSES OPEN TO ADULTS
All
A week long course based at Dingwall offering:
a. SMP – A chance to complete this Proficiency course in the demanding conditions of the Scottish Highlands
b. Log Book Experience. Those who have completed ML Training and are busy building up experience prior to assessment will find this an excellent opportunity to gain 5 Quality Mountain Days in
c. Duke of
COURSES FOR ADULTS
9. Adult Proficiency Course. This will be run at Halton over three weekends. All three weekends must be attended to gain the Proficiency. The activities on offer are the same as for the Cadet Courses. The courses are an ideal preparation for those wishing to gain AT Instructor qualifications.
10. Overseas Rock Climbing Opportunities. There is an opportunity to attend a Basic Rock Climbing or a Rock Climbing Proficiency course in the amenable conditions of
Walking Group Leader (WGL) Award Training. Training and assessment (separate courses) are programmed for spring. Candidates for training must have 20 hill walking days logged and be registered with MLTE. Candidates for assessment must have attended a WGL Training course or an ML Training course, and have undergone a period of further experience. Course content can be found on the MLTE web site. Each course will cost £30, and the dates are – Training - 18-20 May at Halton, assessment 15-17 Jun. Note the course duration is three full days. It is very unlikely that those attending the training will be ready for assessment in June, as they will need to gain further experience before assessment.
Single Pitch Award (SPA). Training and assessment (separate courses) are programmed for spring. Candidates for training must have logged 15 climbs up to and including V Diff, where they have placed protection. Attendance on a Basic Rock Climbing course is an advantage. Candidates for assessment must have attended a SPA training course, and gained further experience including assisting with groups. Course content can be found on the MLTE web site. The course will cost £25.
Kayak Coaching. An “old style” level 2 assessment course will be held at Cwrt-y-Gollen on 2-3 Jun. A Level 2 training course will be held at Cwrt-y-Gollen 16-17 Jun. Candidates for training must hold BCU 3-star and a valid canoe safety test. Cost £25.
Log Book Experience. Those Adults working towards NGB Qualifications and wish to gain experience for their log books may apply to attend any of the Proficiency Courses as an assistant instructor, and work with a qualified instructor.
Applications. Bids should be made for all courses using the standard application form attached at Annex A, except where a different form is indicated.
Any enquires on the content of this letter, or AT in general should be directed to the AT Advisor. From 1 Apr this will be Lt Col Richard Ayres tel: 01207 767527 e-mail address: cadet.adviser.at@hotmail.co.uk
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