Scouts from 2nd St Ives Sea Scouts met up with 3,000 others from across the UK to welcome in a new year of adventure at the annual Winter Camp at Gilwell Park in North London.

The event is one of the most popular Scout weekends, with over thirty different adventurous and challenging activities ranging from abseiling to zorbing to pedal go karting and brush boarding.

The scouts, along with nearly 1,000 adult leaders, enjoyed the exhilaration of sleeping in tents for two nights and cooking in open fires whilst experiencing the extremities of British weather in the middle of winter.

Katie tackles some climbing

Falmouth Packet:

Local Scout Katie, aged 14, said “Climbing that wall was hard but so much fun and gave me a massive adrenalin rush. I am now really looking forward to the disco tonight with all my mates. Without Scouting, there’s no way I would be able to have such amazing adventures with my friends and achieve things that I had no idea I could do.

"My friend came last year and recommended it. I am so glad I gave it a go. I am definitely coming back next year too”.

Chief Scout, Bear Grylls, said "Winter Camp provides a whole new adventure experience for young people. This challenge is all about empowering these Scouts with the confidence and skills to survive the sub-zero temperatures, and keep warm and comfortable in their tents. It's humbling to see so many inspiring young people enjoying such a wide range of activities, from climbing, abseiling, quad biking and high ropes, all in January, the coldest month of the year."