I was a pinged OUT (what we used to call YOs. You could not call St George, or most of Talbot for that matter, YOs!) in 1979. I attended the Scholars Camp in 1976. That was my first experience of the RN as I atended a school that did not have an RN section in its CCF at the time. The week was fantastic. You may recall it was a very hot summer. Most of the time was spent out of doors with very few lectures and presentations in the mornings. A lot of river time every day and a bit of drill (heaven!). The evenings were taken up with under age drinking in the NAAFI (Pavilion) and once or twice in the floaters. I came home wanting more. Imagine going back again doing all of that week in week out and being paid for it!. I gave up all thought of Uni and went there straight from school. Did it prepare me for the rigours of BRNC? Yes. I was under no illusions what I was letting my self in for and have loved every moment I have spent there over the years.
By far my happiest time there was the two weeks as "Staff" in 1979. This was part of my "Leave Activities". BRNC was shut for about six weeks in the summer. (My other activity was a couple of weeks Naval Liason onboard the old SS Oriana, 'nuff said!) I retained my cabin in Blake (A block with a river view) and we all lived in the Wardroom. We ran the camps as instructors. During the CCF camp their "OUTs" were on a parallel baisic course run by CCF officers comanded by a Cdr (CCF) from Worcester RGS. I am sorry to say that we had a great deal of fun at all their efforts, especially on the river. Their training would have been far better had we done it.
The second week was the Scholars Camp. This was slightly more challenging but better fun as the campers were just a little bit younger than us. The programs were identical and I am sure one or two CCF boys stayed on for both weeks.
Yes it gave a real insight and I think every one else enjoyed it too. Are they still going?