To mark the centenary of the home of Scout Skills Training, Reading scouts joined 4000 from across the UK last weekend (January 11 -13) to celebrate and learn new skills.

Thousands of scouts united for the first camp of 2019 at Gilwell Park. The three day event kicked off the centenary celebrations '#Gilwell100'.

In 1919, Gilwell Park became the home of scout training for adults and young people when it was adopted by the Scout Movement.

Since then, it has been known as the place where young people and adult leaders come to camp, have fun learn new life skills.

Members aged between 10 and 14 enjoyed the cold and the mud as they learnt to put up tents, cook and look after each other in winter camping conditions.

Reading Chronicle:

As well as surviving the weather, the scouts were able to try exciting activities like the 3G swing, abseiling, white water rafting and climbing.

Scouts under 17 even got their first chance to get behind the wheel of a car on a specially constructed under-17 driving experience.

The weather, coupled with the adventurous activities, certainly tested the resilience of the scouts.

Sadie Mansfield from Reading said: “My favourite thing about being an explorer is making new friends and doing new activities.

"I’ve learnt lots of new survival skills and I’ve been able to travel to Switzerland hiking, which I would never have done if I wasn’t in the Scouts.”