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Over the summer, current Lower Sixth pupil Charlotte had an incredible experience, spending a month in Canada through the CCF. She won her place on the trip through a written application, followed by an assessment weekend in Wales - her reward was a month in Canada for the total sum of £4! Here, she tells us all about it.

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We commenced at Frimley Park where we met Sally Orange, the UK ambassador for cadets. We got to know each other with some activities and boarded a WestJet flight to Canada the next day. Upon arrival in Canada, we were immersed in the local culture, played a friendly football match against the Canadians (which we won), rode in an iconic yellow school bus, and completed a flurry of forms upon reaching our barracks. The barracks were pretty standard, but there were no doors which was unusual. My Canadian bunkmates were fantastic, and we quickly bonded. By the end of the trip, my platoon became like a family, which was awesome.

Our camp routine was strict but ultimately rewarding: up by 6:00 AM, with PT at 6:05, followed by breakfast at 7:00. Every morning, we saluted the Canadian flag—I’m almost certain I can sing the entire national anthem off by heart. Our lessons during the day were focused on essential skills needed for the upcoming 12-day expedition. These included understanding declinations and refining our preparation techniques. The food was also top tier, with salads and juice along with tonnes of food to keep us going. After dinner, we had free time (lots of watching Kung Fu Panda movies). Officers also conducted interviews to assess our progress and ensure we were ready for the challenges ahead.

 

The Field Training Exercise was a four-day expedition that made sure we actually knew what we were doing. We swam in rivers,

hiked, biked and canoed, and had our first taste of MREs (Meals Ready-to-Eat). Our Officer was called Emery which sounds similar! British rat packs are better (sorry Canada). Camping sessions were fun as we all got to know each other, with impromptu karaoke sessions and the chaotic but funny "Train Game" that I definitely plan to bring back to my unit.

 

Canoeing was another major highlight, though my initial attempts were actually awful. I don't know how I didn't drown! A particularly memorable hike with my British peers led us to encounter a baby bear and explore the scenic town of Banff, where I tried poutine for the first time. We also did abseiling and rock climbing, though some training sessions had to be cancelled due to the extreme heat, with temperatures consistently above 28 degrees C. Slowly, we got used to the heat though, even if that meant drinking 6 litres of water a day. The threat of wildfires was ever-present, with smoke visible and an evacuation plan in place, though fortunately, it was never needed. The 12-day expedition was the peak of our training. We prepared meticulously. The first few days involved intense canoeing sessions, learning rescue techniques and tackled level-one rapids. We also did community service by clearing buffalo berries to prevent grizzly bears coming too close to paths. Moral was still high Rock climbing was exhilarating and challenging. On the first day, we climbed 1,000 feet up a mountain, learning belaying and slab climbing techniques. The second day took us to Grotto Canyon, though the gruelling conditions meant that some cadets had to return to base.

 

Despite the physical demands, morale remained high as we approached the halfway mark of the expedition. Mountain biking on day 10 was particularly tough, with temperatures soaring above the 28 mark. Trails were more technical, requiring constant hydration. The views at the Nordic Centre, where the 1988 Winter Olympics were held, were breathtaking and made the effort worthwhile.The final two days of the expedition were the most challenging but the most rewarding. We hiked to a campsite 9,000 feet above sea level, with the ascent being particularly challenging. On day 11, we climbed even higher, where we had a snowball fight at the peak, only to be caught in a thunderstorm on the way down. The ruggedness of the experience was heightened by the need to rely on dehydrated meals for the last three days.

 

As the course concluded, we packed our bags and reflected on the incredible journey we had just completed. Before departing, I taught a 15-minute lesson—a chance to share my newfound knowledge with my peers. The shower that followed was the best of my life, a fitting end to a month filled with challenges, learning, and personal growth.

 

This course embodied the principles of CDRILS (Courage, Discipline, Respect for Others, Integrity, Loyalty, and Selfless

Commitment). It was an unforgettable experience that has left a lasting impact on me, both as a cadet and as a leader.