Over 400 Scouts from Northern Ireland gathered recently at the Crawfordsburn Activity Centre near Bangor for Burn 24, an annual overnight event combining outdoor skills and recreation.

The programme ran for a full 24 hours and included a mix of activities: a campfire, an evening disco, a gameshow, and a challenge modelled on the television format Taskmaster. Later, participants moved to water sports, with sessions in canoeing, paddleboarding, raft building, and snorkelling.

Peter Wilson, the event organiser and Northern Ireland Lead Volunteer for the programme, stated that the gathering gave young people the chance to make friends, enjoy themselves, and try new things. He noted that events such as Burn 24 provide a sense of belonging and encourage personal development, teamwork, and resilience.

Approximately 100 Scout leaders attended to supervise and run the activities. The weekend also featured a charity fair, which raised £1,500 for good causes.

Now in its recurring calendar slot, Burn 24 is described as one of the largest cross-Northern Ireland Scout gatherings, with participation continuing to climb.