ALRESFORD Girl Guides were put to the test with their team work skills and creativity as part of Hampshire’s first Midsummer’s Challenge.

Five girls from the 1st Alresford Guides were given the opportunity to sleep in the wilderness as they tackled starting fires, cooking from scratch and a whole host of team exercises.

They were mentored by the youth activity team from RAF Odiham who taught them first-hand tricks of the trade about surviving in the great outdoors.

Faced with no less than 20 challenges over the space of a weekend, the Guides climbed through huge spider webs, built towers to time and eventually mastered how to light fires using the barest of natural materials and equipment.

Sgt Alex Rylance of the RAF Odiham team said: “Using a positive outlook, interests the girls in outdoor life and part of our work is to get the girls in touch with STEM activities (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths).”

Sgt Spillane-Smith added: “It’s good to engage with them and see youngsters in a positive light.”

County commissioner, Angela Hammond, said: “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.”