'˜Carefree fun and adventure' for Army Cadets

East Antrim teenagers have been making the most of their school holidays, packing outdoor adventure, sport and fun into an annual two-week Cadet camp in England.
Cadet Sergeant Yasmin Andrews (17) from Larne.  Summer Camp provided a perfect opportunity for Yasmin to take a break from her duties this year as Her Majesty's Lord Lieutenant's Cadet for the County of Antrim.Cadet Sergeant Yasmin Andrews (17) from Larne.  Summer Camp provided a perfect opportunity for Yasmin to take a break from her duties this year as Her Majesty's Lord Lieutenant's Cadet for the County of Antrim.
Cadet Sergeant Yasmin Andrews (17) from Larne. Summer Camp provided a perfect opportunity for Yasmin to take a break from her duties this year as Her Majesty's Lord Lieutenant's Cadet for the County of Antrim.

Members from Ballycarry, Ballyclare, Carrickfergus, Greenisland, Larne, Monkstown, Newtownabbey and Whitehead have been tackling a vast range of outdoor activities at Altcar.

Among those taking part was Cadet Sergeant Yasmin Andrews (17), from Larne, who is Her Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant’s Cadet for the County of Antrim.

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Colonel David Kane, Cadet Commandant 1st (Northern Ireland) Battalion Army Cadet Force, said: “Annual camp is a traditional highpoint of our year, and for some very good reasons.

Forging friendships and making memories are Monkstown Cadets, Ellie-Mae Wilson (14) and Claire Hamilton (16).Forging friendships and making memories are Monkstown Cadets, Ellie-Mae Wilson (14) and Claire Hamilton (16).
Forging friendships and making memories are Monkstown Cadets, Ellie-Mae Wilson (14) and Claire Hamilton (16).

“As far as the Cadets are concerned, it’s all about two weeks of carefree fun and adventure spent in the company of friends, while, for parents, it’s a chance to give their children an action-packed and fully supervised summer experience without breaking the bank.

“Every parent knows how difficult and expensive it can be to fill the kids’ school holidays with challenging fun activities.

“Cadet life opens the door to all sorts of opportunities and everything is either totally free or deliberately low in cost ... we even provide our members with free uniforms and we try to keep the two-week camp experience at under a hundred pounds so that it is affordable for most families.

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“Importantly, parents know that their kids are well supervised by expert adult leaders who will make sure that everyone is involved in every activity. They know the Cadet movement is as much committed to building confidence and friendships as it is to building skills.

Ready to tackle a day of adventure are 14-year-old Cadets Reece Tufts and Jennifer Irwin, of Monkstown Detachment Army Cadet Force.Ready to tackle a day of adventure are 14-year-old Cadets Reece Tufts and Jennifer Irwin, of Monkstown Detachment Army Cadet Force.
Ready to tackle a day of adventure are 14-year-old Cadets Reece Tufts and Jennifer Irwin, of Monkstown Detachment Army Cadet Force.

“Our Cadets embraced every opportunity brought to them at this year’s Summer Camp, held at Altcar, near Liverpool, with great good humour and seemingly boundless energy.”

Colonel Kane continued: “Now, following a summer packed with challenge and achievement, they’ll be turning their attention to their annual new membership campaign and I am sure they will all become highly persuasive recruiters as they invite local teenagers to come along and see what Cadet life has to offer.”

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