Naval excursion for Barrow Sea Cadets

4th February 2016

Barrow Sea Cadet Corps (BSCC) received £800 from the Wing Cdr H Thompson & Rev Green Grassroots Fund last summer to provide nautical training for young people.

The funding covered hire and transport costs towards their annual summer camp. A seven-day educational trip took 30 cadets aged 10-17 years old to Portsmouth. Gaining an insight into life in the Royal Navy, they stayed on board serving warship HMS Bristol and spent time on HMS Excellent.

Thanks to the grant, cadets from low income and single parent families were able to join their Unit on the unique experience, designed to help improve life skills, education and employability of young people.

Other activities included visiting HMS Victory, the Royal Marines Museum, Southsea Leisure Park, and gaining a Royal Yacht Association boating qualification.

14-year-old BSCC cadet, Jordan Shepherd, said: “I really enjoyed my visit to Portsmouth, it is somewhere I have never been before. I really enjoyed taking part in all the activities and I’m glad I got my RYA Power Level 1. The week had some challenges for me as the routine and march to breakfast was difficult, but I soon got over that and enjoyed the rest of the week. This week helped me decide that I want to join the Royal Navy when I leave school.”

BSCC are part of the national body of Sea Cadet Corps and have been running since 1932. The unit has over 40 boys and girls attending weekly at the Sir John Fisher Sailing Centre in Barrow.

Being a part of the Corps, young people have the opportunity to develop skills, confidence and discipline. Cadets take part in a variety of water-based and land-based activities from sailing to rock climbing, regular courses, camps and competitions, and gain accredited qualifications.

Niyall Phillips, staff member at BSCC, said: “The purpose of the visit was to promote the development of young people in achieving their physical, intellectual and social potential as individuals and as responsible citizens by the provision of education and leisure time activities using a nautical theme.”

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