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| Sea Cadet Exchange
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On 1st July 2007, I travelled to the USA with 5 United Kingdom Sea Cadets and an escorting officer from Sea Cadet Headquarters. Newport Naval Base, Rhode Island, was to be our home for the next 10 days as we were taking part in an International Sea Cadet Exchange. When we arrived, we were joined by Sea Cadets from Singapore, Canada and the USA. Half of the days were filled with visits to US Naval ships and submarines. It was a great opportunity to compare the Royal Naval Ships I have visited to the US ships. But to be honest, there wasnıt that much difference. Just everything on the US ships was bigger.
One fantastic chance we were given was that one night we got to sleep on the USS Massachusetts. This was no longer a working ship, but a museum, similar to HMS Belfast down on the Thames. One thing that I will remember the most was taking part in a number of Naval training exercises, one being a Damage Control Exercise. This was a ship simulator that fills up with water coming out of holes in the side of the shipı. Whilst the simulator was moving about, our task was to work in teams to try and stop the ship from flooding. This was done by blocking holes with wood very quickly before the water flooded in. As soon as one hole was blocked, another one suddenly appeared, so it was a never-ending job. This demonstrated good teamwork. At the end of the exercise, the water was up to our chins. Good job we could all swim!
Other activities included water sports, a trip out with the US Coastguard and the good old fashioned sport of shopping.
Towards the end of the week, we were taken to a baseball game. This was an awesome experience because most of us hadnıt been to a baseball game before.
There isnıt much else I can say really, apart from I had a great time and didnıt want to come home. The people I was with were amazing; itıs such a sad thought that I probably wonıt see any of them again. But we can still keep in contact via email.
Of course this trip cost money to take part in and it was a lot. I would like to say a massive thank you to the London Colney businesses that made great contributions towards funding this experience:
Langley's Estate Agents
Mirror Image
Supreme insurance Brokers Ltd
Without their help, I wouldn't have been given this chance of a lifetime.
Thank you!
There's no time to be bored with St Albans Sea Cadets (www.stalbans-seacadets.org.uk) . It offers many fun opportunities and is open to boys and girls from 10 to 18 years and is very inexpensive. The unit always welcomes new faces, just turn up at 7.10 pm on a Tuesday or Friday night, at the unit, which is just behind Westminster Lodge swimming pool. Why not give it a try, make new friends and learn new skills, you've nothing to lose! Adult volunteers are welcome too, as you can see there's great training, and the opportunity to make a real difference to the local community. Our management committee, who meet just once a month, have spaces and we are interested in new faces. Open to parents too!
Petty Officer Cadet Lucy Parker
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