Chief scout and world famous explorer Bear Grylls took to the air on Sunday to visit Harpenden’s district scouts.

Grylls arrived at Crabtree Fields Scout HQ in Waldegrave Park on a mission to inspire more adults to volunteer for scouting.

Bear and the young people took part in a variety of different outdoor challenges and expedition training, along with a Gang Show rehearsal. During his visit he took the time to say thank you to all existing adult volunteers who help deliver adventure and the benefits of scouting to communities throughout Hertfordshire.

St Albans & Harpenden Review: BG

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 this 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."

Recent figures show that the Scout Association is the largest co-educational youth movement in the country, with membership reaching the 538,000 mark in the UK. However, the movement is in desperate need of more adult volunteers.

Ewan Murray, an adult volunteer at the Harpenden event, said: "All scouts in the district are still on a real high from meeting Bear and being inspired by one of their heroes.

"Scouting has never been more vibrant than now."