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Parents The Sea Cadet Corps takes great pride in the service it offers. We are strictly regulated in the activities we undertake, and ensure that our staff are suitably qualified and experienced in all of the activities undertaken. For example, boating activities are supervised by instructors, trained and assessed under the Royal Yachting Association (RYA) boat work schemes. Canoeing is undertaken using British Canoe Union (BCU) guidelines. Instructors receive regular training themselves, and are actively encouraged to attain nationally recognised qualifications (including a recently introduced BTEC qualification). Parents are welcome to come and support activities and events. We regularly hold parades, take part in competitions or hold Unit Camps, most of which are well supported by Parents and Friends Associations. As the name Sea Cadets implies, a great deal of our activities are waterborne, for example: - Canoeing (BCU), Pulling (Rowing [SCC]), Dinghy Sailing (RYA), Motorboat Handling (RYA), Offshore Sailing in Yachts and Square Riggers (RYA [SCC]) and Offshore Power (RYA [SCC]). Other aspects of training include instruction in Fire Prevention, Rope Work, Seamanship, Drill & Ceremonial, Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme, Expedition Training (in all weathers), Meteorology and Piping (use of the Bosun’s Call). Cadets can specialise in certain subjects, attaining a high level of practical and theoretical knowledge; these are Seamanship, Cook/Steward, Writer/Stores, Physical Training, First Aid, Mechanical & Electrical Engineering, and Communications. Opportunities exist for all Cadets to attend courses at Naval or Sea Cadet Establishments in order to receive and gain qualifications in all of the above. All Cadets become involved in competitions at firstly District, then perhaps on to Area, and even at National Level. We are involved with the Local Community and always turn out to assist with the RBL Welsh Festival of Remembrance, the Royal Marines Band Concert, RNAS Yeovilton Air Display, and the Cardiff Bay & RNXS Seafarers’ Services, and we are an ever-present contingent at the Remembrance Sunday Parade in and around the Civic Centre. The Unit Headquarters, boats and transport all have to be maintained 'in-house' and Cadets (and even parents) are asked to help with the costs by fundraising. We charge a subscription of £1.00 per night which goes towards the upkeep of the Unit Headquarters. When a cadet is issued with uniform, a deposit of £30 is normally paid, and this will be returned when the cadet leaves the Corps, less a minimal amount to pay for cleaning. The only other things which cost money are courses. A weekend course costs approximately £15-20 and a week-long course approximately £60; the fee paid includes accommodation, meals and tuition. A very good deal indeed considering that civilian courses offering the same costs at least 10 times this amount. Parental Consent - Your child will never attend a day / weekend / week activity without your prior written consent. Supervision & Safety - The Sea Cadet Corps imposes very high standards on its staff members to ensure that any supervisor has the correct qualification for the relevant activity. Cadets will always be issued with the relevant safety equipment (such as lifejackets) before an activity commences. All Cadets and staff are fully insured to take part in Sea Cadet activities. Special Needs - Cardiff Unit will do its very best to accommodate any children with special needs. Please speak to the Commanding Officer if you have a child that requires special attention. How much does enrolment cost? - There is no enrolment fee as such, but you will need to provide some items of clothing (see below): Junior Sea Cadets: Juniors are Issued Number 4 Uniform if we have it in the correct size. But there are some occasions when you may need to purchase appropriate clothing and you may need to supply black trousers and (plain, black lace-up) shoes. A beret will be provided by the Unit. Juniors parade on Thursday nights between 18:55 (6:55pm) and 21:15 1 (9:15pm) @ £1.00ea. Sea Cadets: Cadets are issued two uniforms and we replace these with new uniforms as required throughout the cadet's service. Cadets are required to provide their own (plain, black lace-up) boots and shoes. A £20.00 non-refundable deposit is required to cover costs. Sea Cadets parade on Monday and Thursday nights between 18:55 (6:55pm) and 21:15 (9:15pm) @ £1.00ea per Parade Night. Camps - Camps are normally inexpensive, but cost does vary from location to location. A rough guide is shown below. The cost of camps includes transport, accommodation and food. Camp Type Normal Cost Unit / District / Area Weekend £10.00 to £20.00 Unit / District / Area Week approximately £30.00 National Week (on RN Base) approximately £60.00 1 week onboard T.S. Royalist £150.00 (but this can normally be halved through sponsorship) How Do I Join? - Come along to T.S. Cardiff on one of the above evenings. Funding - We are a Registered Charity, No. 503230. If you wish to help the youth of Cardiff and are able to help towards funding for the Unit Headquarters, sponsor cadets for training, etc, then please contact our Unit Headquarters and talk to the Commanding Officer, Chief Petty Officer (SCC) Michael Dixon and/or our Chairman, Mr Neil Griffiths. Unit Profile Commanding Officer: Chairman: CPO(SCC) Michael T Dixon Lt Cdr David Walton RN (Ret’d) T.S. Cardiff has a number of instructors with a wide variety of experience who help the Cadets in the unit. T.S. Cardiff has been a pennant winner for the past five years, proving how valuable it is to the community and how dedicated the Cadets and Staff are to the Unit’s continued success. If you would like to know how you can help, please come and have a chat at any time, or e-mail us. Our details can be found on the "Unit Staff & Contact Page", which will also include our latest newsletter.
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