A small group of Queen’s Scouts spent a weekend on a special survival camp with Bear Grylls. The camp, which lasted 24 hours, took place on the Chief Scout’s own private island off the coast of Wales.

Arriving at the island after a choppy boat ride, the eight Scouts were met by Bear’s dogs, and their first challenge was a ‘Bear hunt’, where they had to find Bear (and their lunches) within half an hour.

‘Apparently it was cheating to use the dogs as helpers!’ said Scout Network member Becky.

After pitching camp in the wind and the rain, participants then completed a challenging rock climb and abseil in tricky conditions, pausing only to pick up their supper while they dangled on the end of a rope.

Dinner, as it turned out, was a number of rabbits, which they skinned and cooked up over a campfire after a firelighting lesson from Woody, one of Bear’s fellow survival experts.

The next morning they were up bright and early for some invigorating physical exercise, with just enough time for a brisk dip in the sea before Bear himself ferried them back to the mainland.

‘Bear said it would be warm,’ said Queen’s Scout, Suzie, ‘but he lied – it was freezing, but I have to admit it was refreshing and the view was stunning.’

On the way home, Bear himself tweeted a message for the returning adventurers:

Well done Scouts - you survived my island survival camp! Even a dawn workout and a swim!’

Hopefuls applied earlier on this year, submitting details of all the exciting things they had done to achieve their Queen’s Scout Award, and why they thought they deserved to go on the trip with Bear. A team of volunteers went through the applications and drew up a shortlist, which was presented to a final judging panel.