A LOT of youngsters do not know what they are missing out on - the Air Cadets is a great youth club and beats a game of pool in a community centre.

Cadets at the 332 (High Wycombe) Squadron are flying, gliding, camping and taking part in all kinds of action adventures, as well as learning all sorts of skills.

"The cadets are very difficult to sum up," explained Commanding Officer Flight Lieutenant Simon Cook.

"As well as getting out and about meeting people, the cadets also learn respect and other things that will help them in life."

Male, female, tall or short can join the cadets from the ages of 13 to 21 and throughout their time at the centre they work towards different levels of award.

At the 60th anniversary celebrations in January, Flight Sergeant Vicky Newell was presented with her RAF Flying Scholarship certificate and civilian instructor Paul Girling was presented with a certificate in recognition of his 18 years service.

Mr Girling, who was called up for National Service in the RAF, said: "I am so impressed that youngsters like we have here give up two nights a week to go through a similar experience like they have been called up. I'm so proud of them and I think they are all fantastic."

The aims of the Air Cadets are:

To promote and encourage a practical insight into aviation and the RAF

To provide training which will be useful in both services and civilian life

To develop the qualities of leadership and citizenship

The cadets at High Wycombe meet every Tuesday and Friday from 7.30 to 9.30pm and although not compulsory, the more meetings they attend the better.

Commanding Officer Flight Lieutenant Cook explains: "We work on a Flights Points system. We award points to cadets for almost everything coming to meetings, tests. The points are totalled up monthly and it brings in an element of healthy competition."

If you try and think about the most adventurous activities, it is a guarantee the cadets have been there done that and got the T-shirt.

Cross country running, flying, climbing, boating - you name it they've done it.

Last year some members of the cadets visited RAF Akrotiri, Cyprus for two weeks' camp. The Squadron hold a number of camps throughout the year which fall into two categories, blue or green.

Blue camps is when the cadets wear their blue uniforms and the Green camps are when they have to wear camouflage and participate in activities like assault courses.

Mr Girling, who received the Mayor's Millennium Medal, stressed that any youngster would enjoy the cadets, and added: "I see so much good in these youngsters and I enjoy being with them. Any youngster would be happy to be here."

For more information call (01494) 495301