Dates & Location:
Students can sign up to any one of the below Reserve Challenge Weekends, which will be held on
the following dates:
•
•
•
•
6-8 April at Nesscliffe in Shropshire
8-10 June in Swynnerton in Staffordshire
13-15 July in Swynnerton in Staffordshire
14-16 Sept in Nesscliffe in Shropshire
Arrival:
Students must make their own way to the training area. Pick-up can be arranged from a nearby train
station if students will be arriving by public transport.
Format:
The exercise is all about leadership development and team-work, and is carried out mainly on a
military training area. Teams will be living 'under the stars' and will be carrying limited equipment
with them whilst they navigate between various activities. The outline format for the exercise is as
follows:
·
1st day - (4pm – 9pm approx). Issue of military equipment; safety briefings, leadership
discussion.
·
2nd day - Deploy onto the training area. Briefings on living in the field and building a
shelter. Conduct competitive team activities. Sleep ‘under the stars’.
·
3rd day - Further competitive team tasks. Prize ceremony at 1pm (approx); lunch and then
depart by 2pm.
Costs:
There are no fees payable for students who attend, but we need you to appreciate that a
considerable amount of effort and resources goes into planning and delivering a Reserve Challenge
Weekend. Therefore, please be considerate when signing-up to attend, and do inform Colonel
Richard Jones if you no longer wish to attend via the following email: [email protected]
Administration:
We will arrange insurance for you and ensure that you are briefed appropriately on all safety
matters. You will be required to provide the following information once you confirm that you are
attending a Reserve Challenge Weekend:
·
Full name
·
Date of birth
·
·
·
Gender
Allergies (such as penicillin)
Emergency contact (duty manager/family etc).
Preparatory Work:
To gain the most from the exercise, it is worth giving some thought as to what you wish to gain from
attending the exercise. Some possible areas for discussion are shown below and the list is certainly
not exhaustive. At the very least, candidates should have a clear understanding of why they are
attending, what they want to gain from it (ideally having understood their own developmental
needs) and to have been exposed to some discussion about leadership and management.
·
·
·
Is there a difference between a leader and a manager?
What qualities does a leader need to have?
What are the main styles of leadership experienced in the workplace?
Kit and Equipment:
We will provide outdoor equipment (sleeping bags, shelters, back-packs and all food). Please ensure
that you bring the following:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Washing & Shaving Kit (wet-wipes recommended)
Flip-flops for communal shower area
Towel
Scruffy outdoor clothes to wear underneath Army coveralls.
Spare socks & underwear
Sturdy footwear (such as walking boots) that will give adequate ankle support. You will be
moving over broken terrain - flimsy gym shoes are inadequate.
Pen, pencil and notebook.
Money (there is a small shop in camp)
Gloves
Personal items – medicines etc
Follow-on Discussion:
Whilst we recommend some preparatory work to ensure that candidates are fully aligned to the
aims of the programme, it is also a good idea to undertake a bit of self-assessment and reflection in
order to understand what you have learnt and how you have developed. We would be happy to
help you with that if necessary.