TV presenter and UK Chief Scout Bear Grylls thrilled young scouts when he visited Kings Langley at the weekend.

His visit was a part of a tour of three Hertfordshire scouting groups, which aimed to inspire more adults to volunteer for Scouting.

Grylls and the young people took part in a variety of different outdoor activities and challenges, including an activity day at Phasels Wood Activity Centre in Kings Langley, expedition training and a gang show rehearsal in Harpenden.

These events gave young people the opportunity to take part in adventure activities and practice various scouting skills, such as expedition planning and survival techniques in the company of peers and adult volunteers. Grylls also took time to thank existing adult volunteers and encourage more people to volunteer for scouting in the future.

Watford Observer: Bear

Ahead of the weekend, Grylls said: "I am super excited to visit scouts in Hertfordshire. I know I’ll meet young people taking an active positive part in the adventure that Scouting provides, full of hope and aspiration.

"One of the main objectives for the weekend is to encourage adults to volunteer a bit of their time to ensure that all young people have the opportunity to join in and share the adventure that Scouting offers all its participants.

"I’m so proud to be Chief Scout and its always humbling to see first-hand the adventures that our members are taking part in and the spirit with which they make a difference."

The Scout Association is the largest co-educational youth movement in the country. Recent figures have shown that membership has reached the 538,000 mark in the UK.

However, the movement is in need of more adult volunteers to ensure that more young people can continue to join.

Pippa Furey, a Network Scout aged 18, who attended the Gr8 Big B@SH celebration at Phasels Wood Scout Activity Centre said: "Meeting Bear was an experience I will never forget. Scouting is all about adventure and it was great that Bear was so keen to join in and speak to all of us, encouraging everyone to get stuck in. Scouting has done so much for me and I’ve had so many great experiences so I’m really keen to give something back".

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Ethan Mills, an Explorer Scout aged 16, added: "It was amazing that Bear came to help celebrate with us. There were over 3,200 people taking part in activities from archery and abseiling to segwaying and caving. The activity day was to recognise our record membership numbers which are 16,463 scouts and leaders in Hertfordshire. It was a great day despite the weather and everyone has really enjoyed themselves in true Scouting fashion".