THE schools may be closed, but young people are still getting out and about this weekend at the annual Scout winter camp.

Around 1,800 Scouts and Explorer Scouts from across the UK are expected to descend on Gilwell Park, off Bury Road, in Sewardstonebury, today.

At Gilwell, known as the home of scouting, the youngsters will get the chance to take part in over 70 activities from abseiling to zorbing.

Braving the cold weather, they will also sleep in tents for two nights and cook on open fires.

Scout Grace Denny, 15, from Enfield, north London said: “It’s going to be great. For the first time I’m going to experience climbing and quad biking in the snow.

“My friends will be at home wrapped up by the fire all weekend and think I am mad. But really it’s great fun and a real laugh. Adventures like this make me feel so alive.”