MEPAL Outdoor Centre played host to more than 200 Scouts and Explorer Scouts at the weekend for the Centenary Cambridgeshire Scouting Activities Competition. The annual event saw teams of girls and boys, aged 10 to 18, enjoy a busy weekend taking part in

MEPAL Outdoor Centre played host to more than 200 Scouts and Explorer Scouts at the weekend for the Centenary Cambridgeshire Scouting Activities Competition.

The annual event saw teams of girls and boys, aged 10 to 18, enjoy a busy weekend taking part in a range of competitive activities including archery, air-rifles, climbing, high ropes, cyclo-cross, canoeing, sailing and raft building.

Also, back by popular demand, was 'Blood and Gore 911.' This, which gives reference to the American emergency services telephone number, is a first aid exercise where the youngsters were scored on their responses to various emergency situations.

A competition saw teams of four choose seven of the 15 activities over a 24 hour period, with a short break in the middle for sleep.

Scout activities commissioner for Cambridgeshire, Bob Burnham, said: "The weekend was a great success. The 24 hour adventure is a real challenge but it isn't just about activities for their own sake. We encourage Scouts and Explorers to try something new, feel the buzz of the achievement and then reflect on what that means."

Deputy commissioner Chris Ward said: "It was a very wet weekend but that did nothing to deter everyone's enthusiasm or enjoyment. It was a real endurance test and it was so rewarding to see such a contrast to the stereotypical image of the youth of today.