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There are numerous activities and many training opportunities available to both Cadets and Adults within Essex Sea Cadet Units. Training can last a week, a week-end or a day. There is no restriction on the amount of training anybody can attend, other than the law of ‘first come first served’! Many activities include continuation training which allows progression to the higher qualification levels and many qualifications are recognised outside of the Corps. | ||||||
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Training venues are almost as numerous as the range of activities. National training, that is, training which is available to all members of the Corps throughout the Country, is offered at Sea Cadet Training Centres (SCTC), many of which are located within Naval Shore establishments; Area training, that is, training which is available to members of the Corps belonging to one of the six geographical ‘Areas’ – in the case of Essex Sea Cadets, the ‘London’ Area; District training, that is, training for Essex Sea Cadets; And Unit training, that is, training organised within a Unit. | ||||||
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There is sometimes a nominal cost for training, particularly at week-end or week long activities. This usually covers the cost of board and lodging but can sometimes include specialist equipment or instructors. Costs involved with training are always kept to a minimum and are promulgated in advance. | ||||||
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Dinghy Sailing As you might expect from the Sea Cadet Corps, dinghy sailing is an integral part of the range of activities offered. Training follows the RYA syllabus and is offered at all levels, including sailing instructor and beyond. A number of types of dinghy are available at Units and specialised ‘boat stations’ and novices are usually taught in the Corps own training dinghy, the ‘ASC’ |
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Offshore Sailing Of course, sailing opportunities are not restricted to dinghies! There is access to a fleet of offshore sailing vessels including the Corps unique ‘Square Rigger’ T.S.Royalist. Training is available right up to RYA Yachtmaster qualification. |
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Canoeing Canoe training is available to BCU levels, from novice to canoe coach. Training is usually confined to inland lakes and waterways but there is opportunity to develop your skills further and experience more adventurous canoeing such as ‘white water’ canoeing. |
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Rowing The Naval term for rowing is ‘pulling’ and tuition is given in a variety of craft, from skiffs to the Corps ASC dinghy. Pulling is an important aspect of training, and is often the first introduction to waterborne activities. |
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Windsurfing Guaranteed to get you wet, windsurfing is a superb sailing activity available to members of the Corps. Training is available for the novice or the more experienced and follows the RYA training syllabus. |
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Power Boating All waterborne activities require safety cover by means of a power boat. This can be in the form of a displacement craft with an inboard engine or faster response craft that skip across the surface driven by an outboard engine. Whichever, training is available to RYA standards – there are also engine maintenance and marine engineering courses available! |
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Rock Climbing From crags in the Peak District to indoor walls in London, you are sure to find ample opportunity to pursue this very adventurous activity. Everybody remembers their very first abseil! Training is to the British Mountaineering Council’s Single Pitch Award (SPA) qualification. |
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Scuba Diving Most adventurous activities are explored in the Corps, including Scuba Diving! Training is available at most levels of the PADI scheme. |
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Mountaineering Essex is not known for its mountains! However, opportunities to visit the wilder parts of the UK such as Snowdonia and the Lake District are offered throughout the year. Essex Sea Cadets can also spend a week in Bavaria to experience skiing, snowboarding and even a ‘snowshoe’ expedition. Training is offered from basic navigation and expedition skills right up to BMC ‘Mountain Leader’ qualifications. |
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Rifle Shooting First learn safety, and then learn marksmanship at both indoor and outdoor ranges. Training is available in both small bore and full bore rifle shooting. Small bore (.22) usually takes place in 25m indoor ranges and training is in accordance with both military dictates and the National Small-bore Rifle Association (NSRA). |
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Duke of Edinburgh Award
Scheme All boys and girls in Essex Sea Cadet Units are encouraged to participate in the scheme with many activities running ‘hand in glove’ with the scheme requirements at bronze, silver and gold levels. Adults are trained in supervisory and assessor roles, including wild country assessment. |
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Marine Engineering Training is available at three levels of competence to include internal combustion engines and electrical components. The training received will give a good basic grounding for any individual wishing to follow a career in an engineering discipline – from car engines to ships generators and a whole lot in between. |
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Cooking You might not be the next Gary Rhodes or Jamie Oliver, but three levels of training will ensure you receive a good basic grounding in the requirements necessary to produce an edible meal! From a formal‘Mess Dinner’ to a simple napkin fold, should a career in the catering industry appeal these courses are for you. |
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Communications Even in the age of mobile telephones there is still a need for radios, and three levels of training will ensure you are able to send and receive voice messages in the internationally acceptable format – and much, much more. Even airline pilots need radio voice procedures and communications training will ensure a good basic grounding in this fast disappearing discipline. |
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Seamanship It would be a strange Sea Cadet Corps that didn’t offer training in the age old skills of seamanship and navigation. Essential training for those with an interest in offshore boating be it sail or power! At three levels and additional navigation training, this will give you a great understanding of handling all kinds of vessels in all kinds of conditions. |
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Administration In an age of essential record keeping, writer/stores training in the Sea Cadet Corps will ensure anybody who wishes to secure a future in secretarial or administrative careers receives a good basic grounding. At three levels from basic record keeping to basic accounting, these courses might just produce a future chancellor of the exchequer! |
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Meteorology Global warming? This training will enable you to understand weather maps and charts, will enable you to understand weather patterns and outlooks, and who knows, might eventually lead you to becoming the next Michael Fish, presenting your own weather forecast on the television. |
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First Aid Essential training for Cadets and Adults that is valued inside and outside the Corps. In fact, many activities, irrespective of qualification, have the additional caveat that the qualification holder must also hold a valid first aid qualification. Updated every three years, training is available at basic ‘public’ first aid through to ‘first aid at work’ qualifications. |
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Music From drum and bugle to ships ‘pipe’ or ‘boatswains call’ there is a range of training that will enable you to take an active part in the Units routine or marching band. The Corps has a tradition of following the styles and methods of the Band of the Royal Marines, however, not all Units are able to support a full band. Many Units, however, offer bugle training, and all Units teach the boatswains call. |
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Drill
& Ceremonial Drill isn’t all marching up and down! A very popular activity in most Units is Rifle Drill, when training is given on the different rifle movements that will allow participation in a Units ceremonial Guard of Honour. Training is to the exacting standards set out in the Naval Drill manual. |
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Sport Swimming, five a side football and athletics are just some of the sports Units in the County compete in. There is also the opportunity to develop an interest in Sports through qualifications in Physical Training – usually obtained at specific RN shore establishments, and, of course, Community Sports Leader Awards (CSLA). |
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Btec Cadets in Essex Units have the opportunity, as part of their training, to participate and gain a Btec award in Public Service. A Btec is recognised as being equal to four GCSE’s and there are three qualification levels. |
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Naval Acquaint Trips on and to RN Ships and Shore Establishments, including Naval Air Stations, are far from unusual! In fact, Essex Sea Cadets make use of facilities offered by all three services. Many Units are affiliated to a specific RN Ship and have close ties with the Officers and Ratings on board – often resulting in sea days and overnight voyages. |
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Overseas Many countries around the world support there own Sea Cadet Corps, and through this, many Cadets have the opportunity for exchange visits to places such as the USA, Bermuda, Hong Kong and Canada – to name just four! |
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And More This is just an indication of the range of experiences available to members of the Sea Cadet Corps in Essex – there is even more! Many Units offer additional training in other subjects, and many activities are offered just for fun – from a summer barbeque to visits to the local bowling alley! |
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