National Navigation Award Scheme, Netball, Nijmegen and National Indoor Climbing Award Scheme!
The National Navigation Award Scheme (NNAS) is a personal performance, non-competitive, incentive scheme for all ages to learn navigation skills and gain confidence to get out and enjoy the countryside. Within the Air Training Corps, NNAS forms an excellent basis for navigation skills, and can be used as part of a cadet’s development prior to completing the Duke of Edinburgh Award. The skills developed during a standard day walk are the same as those required as part of the NNAS training and consolidation, therefore cadets are able to gain their bronze NNAS after two walks.
Each year, the wing competes in a variety of sports competitions, competing against other wings to represent the region, and onwards to corps matches. One such competition is Netball. Cadets from the squadron have the opportunity to join others from around the wing for hockey training sessions which happen throughout the year, with the opportunity to be selected for the wing team. Although competition can often be tough, cadets have previously been selected to compete at higher levels, with Cdt Jones representing the wing as part of the team earlier this year.
Since 1909, the Dutch town of Nijmegen has held an annual walk, known as Vierdaagse (Dutch for “the four days”), which was originally a display by the Dutch troops to demonstrate their strength and stamina. Today, the event which is open to both military personnel and civilians involves walking between 30 and 50 Kilometres each day for 4 days. Durham Northumberland Wing Air Cadets is once again entering a team into next year’s Nijmegen walk, with cadets from the squadron hoping to complete the required training in order to complete the event.
The National Indoor Climbing Award Schemes – NICAS is a UK-Wide scheme designed to promote climbing development and accredit individual achievement on artificial climbing walls. It has 5 progressive levels of award, with part one including levels 1 to 3. During part one of NICAS, cadets develop their climbing movements and skills, develop climbing rope work such as belaying and tying knots, as well as looking at the safety aspects of the sports. NICAS is offered to cadets who attend climbing sessions and allows the cadets to work towards structured targets within the sport.
Do you fancy getting involved in any of these activities? Are you up for fun, adventure, incredible experiences and making new friends? Aged between 12 (and in year 8 ) and 17? JOIN AIR CADETS. We are recruiting now, send us a message to find out more and join us next week as we continue our #WhatWeDoWednesday articles.
North Region – Royal Air Force Air Cadets
Commandant Air Cadets
