A week on County Cadet Camp 2006

Every year, St John Ambulance West Midlands organises a summer camp for its Cadets (10 - 18 years). This year, summer camp was held in Derbyshire, and we asked 15-year-old cadet Ben to write a diary of what went on during the week.

Sunday

We arrived at the campsite at around four o'clock. It's a very green area, but there are plenty of places to run around! We had to put the last bits of our tents up, because only a few had been done. The 16 and 17-year-olds, as well as the adults, were on-site yesterday setting up for our arrival. There is a big marquee to eat in and games tents where we can go and get footballs. Lots of things to do though: we played rounders once we had got our tents sorted. Our team won!

We have been split up into separate groups with different names for each, and we'll stay in these groups for the week. We will play games in these groups and do many different duties. Anyway, I can hear the siren going so that means I have to go to the flagpole - I think we are going to do a quiz!

Monday

Every camp we have a day of offsite activities. This is when we go away and take part in things like rock-climbing, abseiling, kayaking, wind-surfing and many other activities. Before you go on camp you choose the order in which you want to do these activities and you are almost certain to get your first two choices!! Today I am doing climbing and a high ropes course…I can't wait!!

We're going to have lunch back on site so that means a lot of travelling in the minibuses, but its all good fun, especially when the bus has a radio to sing-a-long to.

Tuesday

As well as offsite activities we also have a day of on-site activities. This allows you to earn points for your team and then at the end of the week we find out which team has won. I hope mine do this year!

Most of the day we played games which have a theme. This year our 'plane has crashed on a remote island' and we had to complete several tasks in order to ensure our survival. It was great fun and I think that we made lots of points!

Although the tasks take most of the day, we do get lunch which is sandwiches which you choose at breakfast and you get two lots of free time where you can go visit the tuck shop.

There are sweets and drinks that can be taken out of your camp bank account so you don't need to worry about carrying money around with you.

Wednesday

It is camp tradition to go out to a special location for a day to do a set activity. This is usually swimming and we go to a nearby swimming pool; or if we are lucky Water World!!

I'm tired now as it's 11pm and lights out. I have to go to sleep. It is our day out tomorrow so it's going to be a long day! Goodnight!

Thursday

We've just had flag break - we have it everyday where a person is chosen to pull the rope on the flag in order to let it fly in the wind.

Today is our day out, so we get t-shirts of the same colour so that we can all be identified when we're out and about. The colour of the t-shirt each year is different and this year it's a really bright yellow with the camp logo and 'County Summer Camp West Midlands' on it.

Soon we'll be on a coach heading to our day trip destination. Each year we go somewhere (this year Blackpool) and we can go around in groups of at least four with someone who's 14, and we can go do whatever we want until a certain time.

Most people go shopping to get things for their family; however for the older Cadets, Starbucks is very appealing. We usually have fish and chips as well which is a change after the food on camp (it's nice really!!). And then back home just in time for bed.

Friday

Today is the last day and I'm kind of disappointed that I have to go home tomorrow because all the people here are great and I've made a load of new friends! But there is one thing I am looking forward to, camp concert!

On the last night of every camp, we organise something to do in our groups and perform in the marquee. It is great fun and we had everything from milking cows to making a sports personality out of milk and eggs, and then tipping it all over someone's head!

Usually to give us some guidance we are given a theme and a phrase to use with blanks in, and we have to fill in the blanks to make a funny phrase. It's always a great laugh, and then we have hot chocolate as like every night and then to bed.

Saturday

Last day today and so I have been going around and collecting everyone's email addresses. I'm really going to miss them as they have all been really friendly - even the adults! We always have a camp reunion where everyone who was on camp is invited and we have a disco and karaoke.

But for now we need to pack up camp which can be fun as you get to do it with the friends you have made in your tent groups.

First all your belongings have to be packed away and put in a pile depending on where you are going home to, and then your tent needs to be packed away.

Finally we'll be getting onto the coach and heading home. Sitting by our new friends, giving goodbye hugs, exchanging e-mails. It is all very sad, but we all know that we are going to see each other really soon!

I'm definitely going to come on next year's camp - not to forget the weekend camp for Badgers and Cadets - and I really hope that you come too!