16/08/2026
Ely Air Cadets Return from Squadron Summer Camp
24 cadets and 7 staff spent a week under canvas in Thetford Forest in a new summer-camp initiative designed to bring the Squadron together.
Cadets and staff from 1094 (Ely) Squadron Royal Air Force Air Cadets have returned from a week-long summer camp in Thetford Forest after what has been described as a hugely successful “proof of concept” for a new approach to summer camps at the Squadron.
The camp was the culmination of a long-held ambition of Officer Commanding Flight Lieutenant J Donoghue RAFAC and his staff team to give as many of the Squadron's cadets as possible the opportunity to go away together, rather than solely attending summer camps in small numbers through the annual Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire Wing summer-camp programme.
Each year, squadrons within the Wing can bid for places on fabulous centrally organised camps held at locations including RAF Boulmer, RAF Waddington, RAF Cranwell and other military establishments. While these camps provide outstanding opportunities for cadets, the number of places available can mean that only a proportion of a Squadron's cadets are able to attend.
At 1094 (Ely) Squadron, cadets had increasingly expressed a desire to have the opportunity to go away together in much larger numbers.
This year's camp was designed to test whether a Squadron-organised camp could provide that opportunity.
Twenty-four cadets – approximately one third of the Squadron's average strength – travelled to a campsite in Thetford Forest, where they spent the week in nature living under canvas. The Squadron hired the site's main building and kitchen, providing a communal base for meals, activities and socialising, while the cadets and staff lived together on the campsite.
The programme was packed with activities, including paddleboarding, abseiling, archery and swimming, forest hiking and an open-air air rifle range, giving cadets the opportunity to challenge themselves, learn new skills and, in many cases, try new activities some had never experienced before.
The newly purchased Squadron archery equipment also made its debut during the camp, following a fundraising initiative at Waitrose in Ely, where Squadron cadets and volunteers took part in bag-packing activities.
The generosity of Waitrose customers helped the Squadron purchase the equipment, while recently qualified Squadron archery instructors were able to put their training into practice and introduce the cadets to the sport.
Archery proved to be particularly popular, with the Squadron now planning to make greater use of the equipment as part of its regular training and activities programme.
One of the features the Squadron had particularly been looking forward to was its planned programme of evening campfires.
The campsite has a wonderful amphitheatre-style sunken campfire arena, and the Squadron had previously planned and fully risk-assessed a series of nightly campfire sessions where cadets could gather together, enjoy the traditional camp atmosphere, chat and toast marshmallows.
However, the exceptionally dry conditions across Britain, combined with restrictions on campfires and naked flames in Thetford Forest and nationally, meant that it was simply not possible to safely hold the planned campfire sessions.
The decision was understandably disappointing, but the cadets fully understood why the restrictions were necessary.
Rather than allowing the change to detract from the camp, the Squadron adapted the evening programme and replaced the campfires with night-time stargazing sessions, sports such as rounders, frebch cricket and football as well as board game sessions indoors.
The location in Thetford Forest provided an excellent setting for looking into the night sky, and the stargazing became another opportunity for cadets to relax together after the day's activities, talk, share experiences and enjoy the surroundings.
For some cadets, these quieter evenings became among the most memorable parts of the entire week.
Cadet Garland who only joined in April said:
“The activities were brilliant, but I think the best part was actually being able to spend time with everyone afterwards. You get to know people at Squadron, but you don't normally get hours and hours together like this. I've got to know cadets that I probably wouldn't normally speak to.”
Cadet Sergeant Scott commented:
“It was really good having the youngest cadets and the older senior cadets all together. Everyone mixed really well, and it didn't feel like there were different intakes or ages. We were all just part of the same Squadron together.”
Cadet Warrant Officer Russellcook added:
“Going away together has made the Squadron feel much more like a team. You see people at parade nights, but spending a whole week together gives you a completely different relationship with everyone.”
Cadet Constable particularly enjoyed the replacement evening activities:
“I loved the outdoor activities, but some of my favourite moments were just all being together in the evening, looking at the stars and talking with everyone and the fun games.”
The evenings saw cadets entertaining themselves with long-running games of Monopoly and Risk, football matches and plenty of conversation. Some local police cadets sho were the only other occupants of the campsite were also invited to join the evening football matches, adding another dimension to the social side of the camp.
A week of teamwork and minimal screen time
The camp also provided an opportunity for staff and cadets to work together in a different environment, with the kitchen becoming an important part of the camp's daily routine.
The Squadron's catering team was led by Warrant Officer Donoghue, Sergeant Michelle Dennett-Cook and Sergeant Alana Barker, supported by Padre Alan Jessen, who together provided meals for the cadets and staff throughout the week.
Towards the end of the camp, the team was also joined by Civilian Instructor Martyn Pitman, adding further support to the staff team.
Flight Lieutenant J Donoghue RAFAC, Officer Commanding 1094 (Ely) Squadron, said:
“For a long time, I have wanted to find a way of taking the Squadron away together. Our cadets have repeatedly told us that they want that opportunity, but the reality is that the number of places available on camps at any one time means that we can never accommodate everyone all at once.”
“This year's camp was deliberately a proof of concept. We took 24 cadets – around a third of the Squadron normal strength – and wanted to see whether we could deliver a safe, enjoyable and worthwhile week away while creating the sort of sociable atmosphere and camaraderie that the cadets were asking for.”
“The answer has been a very clear yes. The activities have been fantastic, but what has really impressed me has been seeing cadets of completely different ages and levels of experience mixing together, supporting each other and simply enjoying being together as a Squadron.”
He added:
“Some of the most rewarding moments haven't necessarily been on the abseiling wall or the paddleboards. They have been watching cadets laughing playing long running board games like Monopoly, organising football matches, stargazing together, talking and laughing after a long day. That social time is incredibly important. It builds friendships, confidence and a sense of belonging that you simply cannot replicate during a couple of hours at Squadron twice a week.”
The success of the camp has already prompted the Squadron to begin planning for a significantly larger event next year.
The intention is to build on this year's experience and, subject to suitable accommodation, facilities, staffing and funding, offer the opportunity to many more Ely cadets.
Planning is already underway, with the Squadron investigating potential venues, itineraries and new activities. Ideas currently being explored include kayaking, climbing walls, axe throwing and further outdoor adventure activities and an RAF Station visit.
Flight Lieutenant Donoghue said:
“This year was about proving that we could do it. Next year we want to build on what we've learned and, if we can make the numbers work, take a much larger proportion of the Squadron away. We're already looking at venues and activities for next year, so this is very much the beginning rather than the end of the project. The success of tbis venture is obviously down to my wonderful team of Cadet Forces Adult Volunteers but in particular our Squadron's Adjutant Flying Officer Russellcook. Running any Air Cadet actvity safely takes a huge amount of planning and administration and Flying Officer Russellcook was the driving force behind making this camp a reality ”
The camp has also demonstrated the value of investment in the Squadron's own equipment and training. The archery equipment purchased with the support of the local community through the Waitrose bag-packing fundraiser was used extensively during the week, providing cadets with another activity that can now become part of the Squadron's own programme.
The Squadron would like to place on record its thanks to the customers of Waitrose Ely whose generosity during the fundraising activities helped make the purchase of the archery equipment possible.
Flight Lieutenant Donoghue added:
“The generosity of the people of Ely towards our cadets never ceases to amaze us. The money raised through our bag-packing at Waitrose has directly translated into something our cadets can use regularly, enjoy and develop skills through. To see them using the new archery equipment on this camp was incredibly rewarding.”
For 1094 (Ely) Squadron, this years Squadron summer camp has therefore proved to be about much more than a week of outdoor activities.
It has demonstrated that taking cadets away together can strengthen the Squadron as a whole, allowing young people at very different stages of their cadet careers to form friendships, develop confidence and create memories together.
And if the reaction of the cadets is anything to go by, the Squadron's first whole-Squadron summer camp certainly won't be its last.
The camp ended officially on the Friday but overnight the Squadron was offered a last minute opportunity for half the cadets on camp to go flying at RAF Syerston the next morning on Saturday which was a great way to round off a great summer camp.
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