The BBC Weather website experienced a surge of hits on Monday and Tuesday as the Yr 12 HMSG cadets prayed that they would be spared Ryder Cup rain for their first experience of “combat camping” on the Monmouth CCF Field Day.  Deploying after school on Tuesday, Ypres (recruit) Company arrived in fading light at Nesscliff Camp near Shrewsbury to collect their rations and complete an insertion march to their overnight accommodation – a wood.

The Cadet Force provides the girls with opportunities to develop qualities of endurance, resourcefulness, self-reliance, leadership, team-building, responsibility and a sense of public service through a range of challenging situations designed to test them physically, mentally and emotionally.  The first of these seemingly simple challenges was to erect their overnight shelters in the dark and cook their ration pack meals. Time invested in constructing a robust “basha” (waterproof poncho which doubles as a Spartan fly-sheet) was to pay dividends later in the night as torrential rain at 0400hrs caused havoc for the poorly prepared.  The wet weather failed to dampen the girls’ spirits and it was great to see smiling faces on the soggy soldiers as they cooked their breakfast and prepared for the Biennial Inspection by Brigadier Wardle.

By 0730 the girls were on parade and progressing through a series of stands along with their sections.  Activities included rock climbing, air rifle shooting, quad biking, laser clay pigeon, navigation, blind-folded assault course, command tasks and a 2km endurance march designed to test and bond the newly formed teams.  While all the girls showed leadership throughout the field day particular mention must go to Fiona and Sarah (Yr 13) who did an excellent job leading their sections throughout.  Sarah added navigation to her running club fitness and managed to guide her team successfully through all four checkpoints on the night navigation exercise.  The girls came through with flying colours and impressed all the staff with their attitude and effort.

“It was really challenging but great fun” – Jess

“It was cold, wet, hard but fun” – Emily

“Sleeping in the rain was the worst but bonding with my team made up for it” - Julie