The latest series of the jungle-based celebrity show might have come to an end but for 12 Scouts from 1st Sunningdale, the memories of bush-tucker trials and inclement conditions are still fresh in the mind.

In late November, the Scouts embarked on an adventurous camping weekend at Earleywood, all inspired by the popular reality TV show. While the on-screen stars put up with the harsh realities of the Celebrity Cyclone, our Scouts had an encounter of their own – from Storm Bert – adding to their experience.

With four adults overseeing camp, the twelve Scouts arrived to their first challenge: finding the perfect spot to pitch in the conditions. Seizing a brief break in the weather, the team swiftly set up tents and marquees.

With shelter in place, the second activity was launched: lighting a fire with damp wood. But next came a true bush-tucker trial…The Scouts bravely sampled seasoned locusts, crickets, and mealworms. To their surprise, the lightly salted versions were the clear winners, with the BBQ-flavoured crickets leaving something to be desired.

As the rain continued, it was time for the next challenge: “Identify the Meat.” Leaders served up an array of perfectly cooked meats including ostrich and kangaroo.

When evening fell, we enjoyed a hearty beef stew, followed by s’mores and steaming cups of hot chocolate. By 10:30pm, the Scouts were tucked away in their tents. Whether it was exhaustion or the sound of wind and rain, not a peep was heard all night!

Sunday morning greeted the crew with clearer skies but still windy. To the leaders’ delight, the Scouts didn’t stir until 7:15am, offering a peaceful moment to enjoy a quiet cup of tea before breakfast. Striking camp was far easier than anticipated, as the wind had spared tents from becoming waterlogged and were only damp.

An incredible weekend filled with fun, laughter, and resilience. It took only 24 hours to dry the tents back at the hut — a small price to pay for such a memorable adventure.