HEYSHAM teenager Sam Shepherd got more than he bargained for when he was selected to represent the British Army Cadet Force on an exchange visit to Canada,

For Sam expected to spend six weeks in the Canadian army camp Argonaut, a permanently built base.

But because refugees from Kosovo were housed there, he had to spend six weeks in a field under canvas.

In fact Sam, a Lance Corporal in the King's Own Royal Border Regiment ACF based in Lancaster, is used to things being tough out after being one of only 10 cadets from across Britain to be selected for the Canada trip.

Sam's family were delighted that he was chosen and he was picked out because of his fitness, resilient character and sense of humour.

"The Canadians like to listen to our accents. It gets a little wearing after a time but I'm getting used to it now," said Sam.

"We had to make our own assault course and, in fact, the Brits have been really good at the physical things and the Canadians are trailing behind us.

"But there's a sport where we've not excelled - baseball. The bats are really heavy compared to a rounders one but we've thrashed them at football every time we played them."

The Cadets have learnt how to paddle two-men Canadian canoes, take twelve-man raiding craft out to sea and they have taken part in a three night exercise in the infamous eastern woods where there are bears, wolves and snakes.

Sam, who attends Ripley St Thomas school, will return at the end of August.

He added: "The Canadians are good fun and I made many friends. What I remember most about the exchange was the canoeing, the shopping and the bugs that ate me alive!"

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