Exploring tours are now a salient part of cadet colleges. Bangladeshi cadet colleges are places of possibilities, where brilliance meets enthusiasm. After the advent of cadet college in 1958, it had gone through a lot of revamps, to which the participation of cadets at home and abroad has added richness. The cadets’ participation in cross-cultural activities in the United Kingdom for the last five years in Duke of Yorks’ Royal Military School is a clear example of that.
This year, for the first time 12 icons from cadet colleges received the invitation of Stowe School situated in Buckinghamshire, UK. From June 20-29, our squad of 15 members witnessed the most captivating dreams turn into reality. Our curious troop was under the guidance of the Adjutant of Joypurhat Girls’ Cadet College, Assistant Professor Azizul Haque from Sylhet Cadet College and Lecturer Ayrin Parvin from Joypurhat Girls’ Cadet College.
Having received a warm reception, we—the holders of flawless hearts—commenced on an exotic tour.
June 21 was our first day there. We roamed about the spacious school and explored the chapel, indoor museum, art school, sports pavilion, canteens and the pre-historic constructions. We visited a few of their 13 houses and attended classes like music, math, history, etc. Then we had a cricket match in mixed group with the players over there. Cadet Azmain scored the highest runs. Afterwards, we enjoyed a delicious barbecue on the first class cricket ground at Northamptonshire Country Cricket Club. There was a tiny souvenir exchange program in the presence of Headmaster D. Anthony Wallersteiner.
On June 22, we had an outing to Central London. We went to Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, Wellington Barrack, London Eye, House of Parliament, Big Ben and other establishments. June 23, indeed, was a day for the girls as we were taken to the Oxford City Centre for shopping. Within the blink of an eye our hands were filled with heavy shopping bags. Afterwards, our ex-cadets joined us in a lunch session.
On June 24, we bid our mates goodbye and proceeded towards the Crowborough Camp. The following day was filled with fun. Activities like rafting, kayaking, assault boating, long bow, arrow tag, mountain biking and climbing were there. Biking over the stony and craggy valleys of mountains was the most spectacular experience of all. June 26, the thrilling second day had 25 metre range shooting, shotgun, obstacle course, AFV (Armoured Fighting Vehicle) recognition, weapon orientation and paintball firing. Cadet Ankita from JGCC was honoured with the 'Best Guest Shooter' award.
On June 27, we set our accommodation in the woods. That day and the following one were programmed with the stands: ambush, tracking, wildlife filtration, first-aid learning, compound clearance, night operation, stalking, etc. The stands taught us to never be afraid to start over as that is always a brand new opportunity to rebuild what we truly want.
On June 29, we left Crowborough Camp. The soul-stirring adieu from the instructors there was beyond our expectations. And with that, our days of merriment came to end. 10 days of impeccable experience united the 12 souls and consolidated our beliefs and determinations. Years may pass but the memories are never to be demolished. Indeed, travel is more than the seeing of sights. It is a change that goes on, deep and permanent in the ideas of living.
Steve Maraboli once said, “To embark on the journey towards our goals and dreams requires bravery. To remain on that path requires courage. The bridge that merges the two is commitment.” And we are grateful for the bravery and courage we’ve gathered from this magical experience.
