What Is NOCG?
History
The Naval Outdoor Centre Germany (NOCG) is the Naval Services sole multi activity centre conducting adventurous and challenging activities in the beautiful Allgäu region of Bavaria in Southern Germany. The centre was opened by the Previous Second Sea Lord Vice Admiral Sir Alan Massey CBE ADC on the 3 April 2009 and continues to builds upon the success of previous Bavarian Surprise exercises.
Aims
The primary aim of the centre is to encourage wider participation in Adventurous Training (AT) and in doing so expose personnel to a range of activities, where after minimal training; they can operate outside of their comfort zone and apply themselves both physically and mentally in an enjoyable yet challenging environment.
Publicy Funded
The first surprise for many is that there is no personal contribution for particpants as NOCG is fully publicly funded and generously supported by both the RN/RM Sports Lottery and the RN/RM Charities.
Facilities
NOCG operates alongside a civilian managed 4* hotel with all en-suite rooms, fitness and weights facility, complimentary wi-fi, wellness/sauna complex and full dining and bar facilities whilst situated in an area famed for its all year round natural alpine beauty and picturesque mountains rising to over 2000m in height.
Activities
From December to April NOCG operates a ski package which caters for all abilities and follows the Joint Service ski scheme. From May the centre switches to a multi activity summer package. Participants are exposed to a variety of activities including climbing, klettersteiging (a form of multi pitch climbing and scrambling on wires and ladders), mountain biking and kayaking.
AT Courses
AT Foundation courses are also on offer at NOCG and are the first step on the Joint Service AT Scheme. Delivered as distributed training these courses focus on one specific activity over 5 days. Courses are offered on arrival or in advance if requested.
How It Works
Each week at NOCG begins on a Saturday. Participants make their own way to Dover where they will complete the ferry crossing to Calais and board a luxury German coach. Arrival in Bavaria is late Sunday Morning. Sunday afternoon allows time to recover from the journey, the issue of kit and a local leg stretch before activities begin on Monday morning. The week's activities finish on Friday afternoon and on completion of a post course discussion groups will depart and return to the UK Friday evening.
Adventurous Training
The NOCG is usually the first opportunity most personnel will have had to participate in AT. Initially many assume that this is going to be some form of military exercise, however this is not the case. Our aim is to expose individuals to a variety of adventurous activities and allow them to push themselves both physically and mentally.
The Area
Bavaria makes our job easy, the scenery, weather, hotel staff and spectrum of activities available, all within easy reach, enable us to offer all who take part a challenging but rewarding time. The feedback from all who have participated in the past has been fantastic with the only criticism being the days have gone too quickly.