On the 8th of March 2025, The Army Section attended Go Ape at Chessington World of Adventures for an Adventure Training (AT) day. The day served as a fantastic bonding exercise across all age groups and build confidence among the cadets.
We set off from school early in the morning, all filled with excitement and anticipation for the day ahead. The coach journey was filled with chatter and laughter as we imagined what challenges lay ahead. Upon arrival at Go Ape, we were greeted by the friendly staff who began by giving us a detailed safety briefing. We were shown how to use our harnesses, clip onto the safety lines, and navigate the treetop obstacles correctly.
As we gazed up into the trees, the courses looked both intimidating and exciting. There were rope bridges, swinging logs, zip wires, and a skateboard zip wire, all high above the ground. Once we began the first course, nerves quickly turned into adrenaline fuelled excitement. Some cadets rushed ahead confidently, while others took their time, encouraging one another as they moved from one platform to the next.
Throughout the day, we completed five different courses, each one more challenging than the last. As we progressed, our confidence grew, and so did our teamwork. Whenever someone hesitated at a tricky part, others would cheer them on or offer advice from the next platform. It was a great example of how well we worked together as a team.
One of the highlights was definitely the final course, which ended with an amazing zip line. Flying through the air with the wind in our faces and the sun shining above was a great experience. Afterwards, a few of us treated ourselves to some ice creams, making the most of the lovely weather.
Although we were disappointed when our time was up and we had to head back to school, we left feeling accomplished and closer as a unit. The day gave us a chance to push our limits, conquer fears, and have a lot of fun in the process. Many of us agreed that it was one of the best CCF outings we’ve had so far, and we hope to return for another Go Ape adventure in the future.
- Written by: Lance Corporal Goosens