DofE with a difference!

Northern Area Sea Cadets descended onto Loch Tay for a mixture of Bronze Qualifying and Silver Practice Duke of Edinburgh’s Award (DofE) expeditions.

Paddlers, rowers and sailors met and camped in July at the Willowgate Activity Centre, near Perth. After the groups pitched their tents, essential skills for the expedition were covered and kit bags checked to make sure they were waterproof. The safe use of stoves, and using the wild camping toilet bags were just some of the other highlights!

Following breakfast on day one, it was time to strike camp and head for Loch Tay where the expedition was launched next to the hotel at Killin. The weather was good for the expedition although the wind could have been stronger, at times, for the sailors.

The day finished at what was a busier-than-expected amazing wild camping beach by the loch. The cadets set up camp and then had dinner together before exploring the beach and waterfall, keeping a close eye out for any wildlife.

Day two saw the cadets continuing their paddling, rowing and sailing expeditions, exploring the Old Lawers village, a Scottish Heritage site on the way. Then after a lunch stop it was the home straight to Kenmore beach. 

Once all the kit and boats were loaded on the trailers and in the buses – quite a substantial amount of work – the group headed back to Willowgate for a night of sorting out kit, eating take-away and having a campfire – with skewers and marshmallows.

A great effort to all the participants who completed their Bronze Qualifying or Silver Practice expeditions. Bravo Zulu to all! 

Able Cadet Matthew Little from Whitley Bay said: “I completed a 15-mile rowing expedition on Loch Tay for my Bronze DofE Award. It was a fabulous opportunity to incorporate and improve my teamwork and leadership skills as well as testing my resilience and building self-confidence. I developed a true spirit of adventure and discovery by completing this self-sufficient journey.”

Sub Lieutenant (SCC) Peter Todd, the Area Staff Officer for DofE, added: “Expeditions that provide young people with an achievable challenge and freedom of choice truly enhance the cadet experience like no other cadet activity. Whilst offering paddling, rowing and sailing expeditions at the same time was a logistical challenge for the supporting Adult Volunteers, we were keen to give our cadets an opportunity to utilise the boating skills they had gained previously on their DofE expedition, whilst offering them as much choice as possible. I am proud of the cadets and supporting staff who made these expeditions such a success and looking forward to offering more expeditions to our young people in the future.”