Going to camp with a large group of people requires some basic standards from YOU, the individual, like: -

• Not making things difficult for other people
• Keeping your things tidy
• Putting your rubbish in the bins
• You being in the right place at the right time

!These are simple things that make camp easier and more fun for everyone!

Preparation

Prepare for camp: -

• Ask your parents if you can go. Complete and return the Activity Permission Slip to the CO
• Pay your deposit / final amount to secure your place
• Start saving pocket money
• Make sure you have everything on the kit list
• Read the camp briefing and ask questions if you are unsure of anything

Surviving Camp

The secret to surviving annual camp: -

• Work when you are supposed to work
• Train when you are supposed to train
• Rest when you are supposed to rest
• Play when you are allowed
• Sleep when you are supposed to sleep

All activities on camp will continue whether you are tired and want to go back to bed or not! If you stay up talking when you should be sleeping you won't be allowed an extra hour in bed to catch up. When you go to bed, sleep, and you'll enjoy camp a lot more!

Pay attention to timings, know where the camp office and camp notice boards are and look at them so you know what is happening, where and when!

Personal Hygiene

You'll be on camp with lots of other cadets, often sharing rooms so personal hygiene is very important. If you have been playing sports, or out on exercise and sweating or covered in cammo cream, you need to shower when you get back to your room! Don't be a smelly cadet!

Remember to brush your teeth at least twice a day, shower at least once a day and change your clothes regularly!

Wash your hands after going to the bathroom and before eating so you don't get tummy troubles, and make sure your friends do the same!

Tidy up

The place where you sleep on camp is very important. Some camps will have you in one large room, others in single rooms and sometimes even in tents. Every morning you will have a room inspection so it is much easier to keep it clean and tidy as you go. Keep your kit tidy and in the lockers provided. Make your bed in the morning. Put your rubbish in the bin.

Keep your area clean and tidy and everyone is happy!

Food & Drink

You might not get your favourite food and it won't be cooked like Mum cooks it, but it is essential that you eat all of your food, or at least most of it. If you miss meals you will become weak and ill from not eating and you won't enjoy camp. Sweet, crisps and pop is not proper food, they are snacks! If you are vegetarian or suffer with food allergies, speak to the Camp Commandant so they can make arrangements for you to have different meals available.

You will eat in the Junior Ranks Mess, while in the Mess:-

• Form orderly queues for meals
• Be polite to mess staff - remember they cook your meals!
• Clear away your crockery and cutlery
• Clean up any mess you make
• Do not make a lot of noise or get in the way of anyone
• Allow Regulars to go in front of you - they have a job to get to!

It is very important that you drink plenty of water, tea, coffee, squash or juice while on camp. You will be busy moving and training all day and you'll be losing fluid through sweat. If you don't keep your fluid levels up you will become weak, dizzy and ill and won't enjoy camp!

Behaviour

You should behave on camp as you would on Squadron. Certain behaviour will not be tolerated and if necessary your parents will be called and told to come and collect you. Don't be the one who's parents have to be called!

• Smoking is not allowed on camp. This is for the health and safety of everyone on the camp. The Camp Commandant may make an exception for cadets over the age of 16, but this is not guaranteed.
• Bullying is not allowed on camp. Some cadets with limited intelligence (a bit thick) tend to bully other cadets. Any form of bullying will be dealt with immediately. After one warning the bullys parents will be called and told to take them home.
• Stealing is not allowed on camp. Cadets are trustworthy people and there is nothing worse than a thief on camp. Anyone caught stealing will be sent home and thrown out of cadets.
• Vandalism is not allowed on camp. Again, there are a few with limited intelligence that think it is cool to write on the walls or kick a hole in the door. Not only will you be sent home, but you'll be thrown out of cadets and presented with a bill from the RAF to repair the damage. We are guests on the RAF station so behave like one.
• Swearing is not allowed on camp. Nothing more to be said.

After Camp

You've survived camp and had a great time, just a couple more things to do first: -

• Get your kit in the wash - don't dump it in a pile for Mum to do!
• Give your shoes/boots a polish and put the rest of your kit away
• Tell your mates what a great time you've had on camp and they could have a great time too if they joined cadets!

If, for some reason, you didn't enjoy camp, have a chat with a member of staff and tell them why.