Sustainable Bridge Building

Posted at 2:02 pm on 10th May, 2023

CCF Visit Southport Water Park

Wellacre’s CCF unit have begun visiting Southport’s Waterside Lodge for a series of afloat training exercises.

Due to weather conditions, our first group of cadets were unable to take to the water to sail in dinghies but, instead, spent the session completing an exciting command task across a waterway.

  

Welcomed by CPO Urie, the cadets first learned about the role of the Royal Navy in disaster relief. They were then given a scenario and, in teams, a brief to complete.  Without any verbal communication, each team had to build a sustainable bridge that the whole team could cross with a range of supplies including long wooden logs, tires, plastic barrels and a bag of rope. Using all these supplies the teams had to build a raft, which was seaworthy and ready to sail. 

SSI Ward said:

“The bad weather did not hinder the cadets’ fun! The command task put them out of their comfort zone but they really rose to the challenge and thought hard about the leaders they picked for their teams. 

 

“They worked well together and learnt the importance of teamwork and communication, leadership and delegation, and finally how to use the correct knots!”

Oliver, Year 9, said:

“Our first task was to pick two team leaders who led us through the activities. Once we had picked our resources for our raft, we then built our bridge without the option to return! It taught me valuable lessons in thinking about the best people to lead and be role models for others. Our bridge unfortunately failed, but in the debrief we evaluated our builds and we learnt how we could have improved.”

  

Jacob, Year 9, added:

“During the bridge task we were not allowed to communicate otherwise there was a penalty! We had to work together as a team. The activities, and the trip, were really fun.”

The CCF’s Scheme of Work syllabus includes learning sailing skills, so Wellacre cadets will continue to visit the watersports club in the Summer term in groups to learn how to sail a small boat.