GIRLS braved the wilderness to take part in an outdoor survival challenge.

A total of 150 girls from Guide units across north Hampshire, including Basingstoke, Overton and Pamber Forest, learned how to light fires and cook ration pack meals as part of the county’s first Midsummers Challenge.

Building bivouacs amongst the trees of Burley Wood, near Ashe, the Guides were mentored by the youth activity team from RAF Odiham, who shared their knowledge of surviving in hard terrains.

For some of the girls, aged 11 to 15, it was their first experience of camping in the wilderness.

An initial series of 20 challenges awaited the teams when they arrived to start the weekend.

Some of the challenges included climbing through huge spider webs and competing against each other to built the tallest tower in the fastest time so their team could pass through the centre of a giant inner tube.

As the sun began to set, the teams boiled their ration pack meals including beef stroganoff and chilli beef, using the wind to power their burners in trangia stoves.

Ellie McDevitt, a First Overton Guide, said: “I’ve not had a ration pack before.

“My tuna chilli pasta was a bit cold but very nice.”

The Guides were joined around the stoves by Lady Louisa Portal, High Sheriff of Hampshire, who gave tips on how to make the most of the wind to heat their food.

For dessert, the girls enjoyed chocolate smores, cooked on a small fire made using their new skills.

They then joined in with traditional campfire songs as the night closed in.

The early risers witnessed the dawning of the longest day and took part in fitness challenges.

Sergeant Alex Rylance, of the RAF Odiham youth activity team, said the event went well, adding: “Using a positive outlook interests the girls in outdoor life and part of our work is to get the girls in touch with STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) activities.”

Angela Hammond, county commissioner for Girl Guiding, added: “It’s fantastic to see so many girls from across the county taking part in a whole range of activities.

“The girls were excited and brave enough to sleep in the hand built shelters under the stars.”