Wow! What a week at Northern Ireland Summer Camp 2025.
Last weekend 57 aspiring adventurers, including 9 cadets and volunteers from Lisburn Sea Cadets, gathered at 0430 in Belfast to make the 16-hour journey to Weymouth National Boating Centre by Coach and Ferry. Travelling the breadth of Great Britain to start Summer Camp 2025.
Day 1️⃣
With the Volunteers receiving their site briefings, the Cadets got stuck in, creating their new Divisional Flags, receiving their swanky NISCC Camp Shirts, getting to know each other and the boats they would spend the next few days on before some late-night arts and crafts and a visit to see Fireworks from the Pier near the centre - a special moment.
Day 2️⃣
The Second Day brought the first day on the water, with sailing cadets enjoying a day sail to nearby Portland (and definitely not getting in the way of any races) where they were met by their paddling colleagues, who’d made the paddle round from a nearby beach. The two groups enjoyed a spot of lunch before making their way back (and getting to see two Quests make a new shape).
Day 3️⃣
A day of well-deserved shore leave as Cadets and adults enjoyed a day at the beach and investigating what Weymouth had to offer, with only one instruction from SLt McClelland – NO DONKEY RIDES. Some of the adults visited the huge galleon, the Nao Santa Maria, a replica of Columbus’ flagship from when he sailed to the new world in 1492, and learned, much to our shock that it wasn’t all real wood, and some of the instructors made some pretty left field hat purchases. Once the day of shore leave ended, it was back to the centre for some evening orienteering around the site, bracelet making, hair braiding, and some light henna (using skills learned from the people of Weymouth that day) topped off with some games.
Day 4️⃣
Another day in the water near Weymouth. Though, if we know anything about NI Sea Cadets, they love to be in the water just as much as they love being on it. Our Cadets took part in some capsize drills and boat-to-boat swimming under the watchful eye of our Dinghy Instructors with some erratic music choices being heard from PO Simpson’s quest (that cowboy hat he’d bought the day before doing some heavy lifting for the Good, the Bad and the Ugly soundtrack that could be heard by all).
The evening came and brought the 2025 edition of the NI Summer Camp Awards: with TS Ulster taking home some big “wins”.
The ‘Water you doing?’ award was presented to Cdt Macey-Rose for her incredible growth over the week and her newfound ability to find her way into the water, whether from a static Rib or a beached Kayak, and she did it all with a smile on her face.
One half of the ‘Ant & Dec’ award went to CFC John for his membership of the new button- and- envelope-pushing double act we hope isn’t coming to a screen near you, that kept the Staff practicing their very best disapproving looks, whilst stifling a laugh.
The winning division this year was the Blue ‘Sharks’ Division, who counted among their members our own Cadet Lucy.
Day 5️⃣
The Journey Home:
One may think that 20 hours return travel wouldn’t be eventful – but that’s not the NISCC Way. With the return journey already tight for time, 7 adults and a Minibus made it even tighter arriving at the Ferry with only 2 minutes to spare before the gates closed (and possibly getting just the slightest bit of airtime) before the GAWA were on the home stretch!
It was a great week full of highs, lows, tears, laughs, stresses, fun and everything in between.
Special thanks goes to our own SLt McClelland who has been planning this Camp since this time last year!
