The annual Winter Camp in January provides the opportunity for Scouts to take part in over seventy different adventurous and fun activities ranging from abseiling to zorbing.
The boys and girls, aged between 10-18, along with nearly 1,000 adult Leaders, enjoyed the experience of sleeping in tents for two nights, cooking on open fires and enjoying a packed programme led by a team of 200 adult volunteers.
Clare Morey and Molly Kidman, both from the 1st Clare Explorer Scout Unit Explorer are pictured enjoying a cool swing. Clare (right) said “Winter Camp was amazing. I did loads of activities. I enjoyed climbing the best”.
Chief Scout Bear Grylls, all year round international adventurer, said "Winter Camp provides a whole new adventure experience for young people. The challenge is all about empowering these Scouts with the skills to survive the sub zero temperatures, and how to keep warm and comfortable in their tents. It's great to see so many young people enjoying such a wide range of adventures, from climbing, abseiling, quad biking and high ropes, all in January, the coldest month of the year. Go Scouts!"
Whilst this event was taking place at Gilwell Park, at the other end of the UK, Hawkhirst Scout Activity Centre in Northumberland was hosting a similar event for the first time for 500 Scouts and nearly 200 adult Leaders. Hawkhirst is one of nine Scout Activity Centres across the UK and is known for its location set in the heart of Kielder Forest on the edge of Kielder Water.