Every year, cadets are given the opportunity to attend a camp on an operational RAF station. These camps last for a week (normally Saturday to Saturday) with the aim of letting cadets see what life is like in the RAF. It will likely be the best opportunity that you will get within cadets to make new friends outside of your own squadron and to have shed loads of fun!

You will sleep in RAF accommodation blocks, eat in the airman's mess and visit various sections around the station (such as operational squadrons, the control tower, the fire section etc.), as well as take part in a range of cadet activities as well as any social activities which may be available, for example the party that is normally held on the last night.

Each cadet at camp will also normally get a flight in one of the Air Experience Flight's Tutor aircraft and being on an RAF station puts cadets in a perfect position to get opportunity flights on any other aircraft which may have a few spare seats, such as that Sea King that you've had your eye on all week, or a 3hr refuelling flight on a VC10!

Once a cadet has attended a UK camp and is 15 or older they will be eligible for Overseas camps.

The ATC currently runs overseas camps in Germany, RAF Gibraltar and RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus.

Overseas camps tend to be more relaxed because of the greater experience amongst the participants. They concentrate less on drill and inspections and more on the other aspects of camp, such as gaining work experience with RAF personnel and visiting local sites of historic and/or military interest. Cadets also get the opportunity to explore local towns, such as Limassol in Cyprus.

An overseas camp is an opportunity not to be missed, however, places are limited. You may have to fend off competition from other cadets on your squadron to get the opportunity to go to Wing Headquarters for an interview. Only after this interview will you discover whether you have been chosen to attend the camp and be the envy of all your fellow cadets!