Posted on 1st September, 2025

Some Trustees and Friends were able to visit our Cadets at their Summer camp in Altcar, Merseyside. Our trip commenced on Wednesday, 20th August when we spent the evening with the Commandant and some of his ACF Officers, who were not on duty at that time, enjoying an evening meal.

The following morning, we were escorted to Altcar Training Facility to meet with other guests from the Reserve Forces and Cadets Association (RFCA) and Senior Army Officers. The Commandant, supported by his Senior Team, delivered a presentation to the assembled guests outlining the objectives of the summer camp and gave an overview of some of the obstacles faced by the Cadet Force. There was a particularly moving presentation by Major Jon Mannion CStJ, who described some of the personal challenges some cadets face and how these are accommodated to ensure that these cadets are not disadvantaged in any way.

After lunch, we were escorted out into the field where we enjoyed meeting and interacting with the cadets as they took breaks in their activities. We learned from them what it is like being outside 24hours a day for three or four days in all weathers whilst looking after a full complement of equipment and preparing meals from basic rations. It was enlightening to hear so many teenagers describing how much they were looking forward to their first shower in days! It was also fantastic to witness first-hand how much care and attention were being provided to each of the Cadets from the Adult Volunteers, who made sure that each Cadet were safe and learning a range of field skills that are commonplace in the British Army.

In the evening, we were hosted by the Commandant, Officers and Adult Volunteers at a Curry Supper in the Mess, where, in addition to the excellent food, we enjoyed the pastimes that those who had been on camp for the whole duration had enjoyed whenever they were not on duty.

The final event of the camp, on Friday 22nd August was the Parade, Drum-Head Service and Prize-Giving. The Lord-Lieutenant of Staffordshire presented each of the prizes to the winning Cadets, Adult Volunteers and Cadet Units for the Team Awards. This uplifting event finished off an excellent Summer Camp perfectly, not just for the visitors but the Cadets and Adult Volunteers alike.