Chindit
Camp
2011
by
Annabelle
Hall and
Phoebe SmithT
hey said it would be tough
and they didn't lie! Chindit
Camp was the most
enjoyable, funniest and most
testing week of our King's
career so far. We didn't
realise it at the time, but Chindit Camp turned
us from feeble little 3rd formers into muddy,
sneaky warriors in disguise.
From the moment we arrived, we were set off
on tasks encouraging us to become more
independent, enduring and 'eventually'
completing a range of tough challenges. These
included Night Fright, an exercise involving
clambering and crawling through woods in the
middle of the night. It was incredibly
challenging, but once we had overcome our
fears of the dark and potentially being trodden
on by NCOs, it became more of a deadly
diligent mission.
Other highlights included the traumatic 24hour
exercises. These taught us not only to
look after, but to fend for ourselves. We
survived off the delights of a ration pack, and
completed several successful (or disastrous)
ambushes with the help of the NCOs, who
spent most of the time pointing us in the right
direction!
Challenges such as Night Owl and Ditch Delight
were also favourites. But just as we thought
the fun had ended, little did we know that the
last night barbecue was about to commence …
We tucked into the first meal that we hadn't
had to cook for ourselves, and wow … it was
good! Each group then had to deliver a sketch
illustrating the highlights of the week. Green
Section stole the show, however the NCOs also
provided the camp with hilarious entertainment.
Through the physical ups and downs of the
Exmoor hills, and the mental ups and downs of
pushing ourselves to the limit, Chindit Camp
helped us to fuse together as a unit. We
developed valuable skills needed for later life
and more importantly, everyone had an
incredible time! Thank you so much to all the
staff who organised it and the NCOs, as
without their guidance, we would all probably
still be lost on the moors, (still trying to read
maps upside down!).
Also thank you to all the 3rd form crew (now
4th form), who, now looking back on it, made
the week such a bunch of laughs and
encouraged each other to go that extra mile.
Don't forget, 3rd form, hand in your reply slips
quickly when you get the Chindit Camp letter in
January - it's definitely worth it!
Aluredian
24