Young scouts braved the wilderness and conquered their fears during an exciting week-long camp on Hen Island.Thirty-six youngsters between ages eight and 11 battled sweltering heat, massive spiders and moths and pushed themselves to their physical and mental limits for the Cub Scouts’ annual camping trip. Tim Smith, the group leader, said the trip has been taking place in Bermuda since 1958. It is one component of the three-year programme, which follows the British Boy Scout system.There are some “little Bermuda twists” incorporated, including allowing participants to go swimming and fishing, he said.“This is all about youth development. I like to think it’s about learning how to work together, how to problem solve and accomplish new tasks. Mostly it’s about self-confidence and building the inner person, working together and getting along with each other.”Each morning young people undergo detailed inspection and must have their scout uniform and campsite in neat order to gain scout badges. In the afternoon they take part in interactive lessons teaching them about latching and rope knotting skills, fishing, cooking and map reading techniques.The older boys take part in different physical challenges, including testing Outward Bound’s high ropes course on Paget Island and building working catapults and cranes from bamboo sticks.The nights are often spent by the campfire: telling stories, singing songs and acting out puppet shows. The boys also get to play sports like football, volleyball and Frisbee wars before the sun goes down at 9pm.Jarye Bean, 11, said he most enjoyed going swimming off the diving board and doing stunts in the water during the week-long camp. He said completing the high ropes course taught him how to trust himself and overcome new feats. “My first year I wasn’t really happy about being here, but as I started to progress further I started to really like it here.”Spencer Crisson, ten, described the physical challenges as both scary and fun. After completing the high ropes course yesterday, he said: “I learnt that I can always believe in myself and if I have faith in myself I can do it.”According to Mr Smith, this year’s group was an exception to the rule, but in the past young people have come from all different backgrounds and social classes. Through a constant stream of team-building exercises, they learn to become more tolerant of each other, Mr Smith said.While some of the younger members were spending their first time away from home and initially grappled with missing their parents, by the end of the first or second day they begin to “fit right in and have the time of their life”, he said.The young people will return to the mainland tomorrow with more badges and inner-confidence.