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Royal Navy Summer Camp

Over the summer holiday, I attended The Bristol Summer Camp Navy Course. I arrived at Temple Meads Station feeling apprehensive, as it was my first naval course and I didn’t know anybody. However, these nerves were soon forgotten, as after a two-hour train journey of playing cards, we soon became friends.

Soon after the train reached Portsmouth, we were driven to HMS Bristol where we were to stay for the next ten days.

For the first few mornings, at six thirty, I awoke startled as the call for hands rung out across the ship. However, this quickly became routine along with the early nights. Each day began with a short sermon from the on board Chaplin, followed by a prayer. This very early start was one of the few negative aspects of the course.

Activities were run by each division participating together and began promptly, offering a new experience each day. They included sports such as canoeing, sailing, Royal Marine training and indoor hockey, to name just a few.

It was amazing to meet two marines who had served in Afghanistan and hear the thrilling stories they had to tell.

During the week there were two expeditions to the Isle of Wight and to the New Forest. These were especially enjoyable and brought everyone together as we went through inevitable highs and lows.

At the end of the stay, the staff organised inter-division sports, which turned out to be very competitive as everyone fought for their team.

Overall, it was a delightful experience and one that I would willingly repeat.

Christian Fleury

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