Scouts learn survival skills at Gilwell winter camp

Scouts from Luton took part in a three-day winter camp at Gilwell Park to kick ff the yea’s centenary celebrations for the centre,  writes Stephen Avis.

The winter camp was the first of a series of events to celebrate the park’s role in gaining skills for life and it’s 100-year anniversary as the Scouts premier training ground.

The Scouts from Luton joined 4,000 others from across the UK in mid-January to learn a range of skills including erecting tents in bad weather, cooking hot food and looking after one another in winter camping conditions.

As well as surviving the winter weather they took part in high impact activities including a 3G swing, abseiling, white water rafting, curling and climbing.

Stephen said, “We’re here with an event passport so we don’t have a leader with us. We have to plan everything and cater for ourselves. We’ve learnt social networking, cooking and teamwork skills. It has been great meeting people from other places at this winter camp.”

In 1919 Gilwell Park became the home of Scouting training for adults and young people when it was adopted as an international training centre. Since then it has become the place where they come to camp, have fun and learn new skills that help them in life.