MORE than 85 Scouts and leaders from the Kentdale district met up with more than 2,000 others from the north of the UK to welcome in a new year of adventure while camping at Hawkhirst Scout Activity Centre in Northumbria.

The annual Winter Camps in January provide the opportunity for scouts to take part in dozens of 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.

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Chief Scout and international adventurer Bear Grylls 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."

While this event was taking place at Hawkhirst, at the other end of the UK, Gilwell Park in London, the home of Scouting, was hosting a similar event for approximately 3,000 Scouts and nearly 1,000 adult leaders.