Pathfinder 2009 took place at Army Training Centre Pirbright from the 14th-16th August. Pathfinder as well as being a competition is a training weekend in which many Cadets learn new skills during each activity they take part in. Pathfinder tests many different skills such as; First Aid, Knot Tying, Team building, Physical Fitness and much more. Many squadrons from around Surrey Wing took part in this competition and made up 7 teams of 4 and one team of 5. Each team had a team IC and at each checkpoint the team IC was briefed by a member of staff and they then had to brief their team. Each team were given radios as when each team arrived at a checkpoint they had to radio in to say that they were there.
On the Saturday each cadet had to carry their full DofE kit with them all day to each activity. Cadets were woken at 6.30 ready for breakfast at 7am. Each morning a uniform inspection took place at 8am before the activities were started at 9am. The day consisted of 8 tasks/activities such as; Rope Bridge Building, First Aid exercise, Kit Check, a Dry Map exercise, Initiative Exercises, a Forest Run and more. On the Saturday the Regional Commandant – Group Captain Hakin visited the camp and watched the cadets perform various tasks. After dinner on the Saturday WO McDonnell took all of the Cadets for a quick navigation lesson before the exciting Night Nav Ex later that night.
After all of the excitement on Saturday, Sunday had more to come. First up was the uniform inspection of each team and then team photos and the Camp Photo – which took a lot of organising. The Cadets were relieved, as on Sunday all they had to carry were their day sacks. Each team took part in various activities throughout the day, such as; building a wheelbarrow and transporting water, a knot exercise, a stretcher exercise, circuit training and building the tallest tower that you could manage with 250 clothes pegs! After these exciting activities the Cadets had lunch and then all took part in fun sports like activities. There was an interesting game of rounders, minibus pulling, tug of war and a game like British bulldog but the staff were allowed to try and hit us with tennis balls instead (which they thoroughly enjoyed!) After the fun Sports activities was Final Parade in which 1st, 2nd and 3rd place were awarded.
Each and every Cadet learnt many new skills and had a chance to put them into practice on Pathfinder. The Cadets would not have been able to learn new skills and take part in activities without the amazing staff. 
Pathfinder was a great camp in which everyone learnt a lot, and I’m sure that I’m not the only one who can’t wait to return next year.
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