RAF Odiham Cadet Camp

mrs_moneyspinner

my 14 yr old is off to RAF Odiham tomorrow for 1 week air cadet camp - hoping he will have a great time at low cost - he only has £20 pocket money - anyone been in their younger days? do they get well fed?

Alias_Omega

Hi MrsMoneySpinner,

They will eat in the Junior Ranks mess, basically its an all you can eat buffet, thats if its not moved over too Pay-As-You-Dine.

Unsure about the £20, the naffi (spar shop on camp) is really overpriced. Packet of crisps are 50p min, bottles of coke £1.20 +.

Alikay

DS2 in in Air Cadets too, and goes on a few camps at RAF bases. As Alias-Omega says, they'll eat in the mess....and they'll eat very well! There will be a cooked breakfast, hot or cold lunch if they're doing activities on the base, and a substantial cooked dinner. If they go off the base during the day, say to a nearby tourist sttraction or town, they'll probably get packed lunches (horror bags) given. £20 seems reasonable pocket money.....they'll only spend it on rubbish at the naafi anyway!

mrs_moneyspinner

thanks alias-omega and alikay - will pack some goodies 'just in case' - do you know if they get to go off the base to local shops and also do they sleep indoors or in a tent? hope you don't mind all the questions - it's worried mum syndrome!

Alias_Omega

Cant really say for Odiham, should be asking the OIC of the cadets.

I would think its going to be a 12x12 tent, probably on the edge of the football pitch.

Accomodation at some places is limited.

bumblebeebaby

ha ha yes they are housed on our field in 12 x 12 tents. That said the cookhouse is pretty good as cookhouses go and not PAYD yet, i have been in worse, so i wouldnt worry about how what they are getting fed. There is a salad bar, sandwich bar, soup of the day and hotplate. Off camp is the Naafi shop for them to fatten up on chocs and sweets. Im sure they had a good time zooming round the go kart track today tho

mrs_moneyspinner

thanks bumblebeebaby - really helpful -didn't know there was go karting - my DS arrives tomorrow - should be a great week for him.

mrs_moneyspinner

just to say thanks for your help, couldn't believe the amount of luggage the other boys had and I had taken half my boys stuff out so he travelled light with only one case - everyone else had suitbag, 2 suitcases ha ha - feeling worried now that he hasn't got enough clothing as left foul weather jacket and other important stuff behind. but never mind thats all part of the experience isn't it, getting by and sorting things out by yourself.

mrs_moneyspinner

just wanted to say thanks and feedback - anyone at Odiham (cadet camp), son had fantastic challenging, rewarding time - got to meet people going to/returning from Afghanistan which was useful - lots of very brave people there - and everyone gave the cadets a really warm welcome.

DizzyACLO

Hi,

As the ACLO (Air Cadet Liaison Officer) at Odiham, it's good to hear that your son had a rewarding and enjoyable time. There are some issues that need to be ironed out for next year, but as it's my first time, I want the cadets to have the best time possible, it seems that we're pointing in the right direction at least so thanks for the feedback!

mrs_moneyspinner

Thanks for responding and for arranging everyone to have a certificate and photo momento.