THOUSANDS of young people from the region will be camping out this weekend to celebrate 100 years of Scouting.

Scouts across Britain are expected to spend a total of half a million nights away from home, at 150 Centenary Camps.

About 2,300 Scouts from County Durham and Tyne and Wear will take part in a four-day camp at Herrington Country Park, near Sunderland, while hundreds more from North Yorkshire will join the Tree Stomp Centenary Camp, at Bramham Park, in Wetherby.

Youngsters travelling to Sunderland will enjoy activities including live music, climbing and fireworks, while those in Wetherby will go caving, canoeing, scuba diving and orienteering.

Chief Scout Peter Duncan will also visit the Wetherby site, arriving by helicopter, as part of a tour of five camps taking place across the UK.

Dozens of smaller events will also be held in the region, including balloon launches in Durham and Bishop Auckland, and church services in Durham and Thirsk.

Lauren Dean, from Whitley Bay Explorers Scout Group, and Tom Reid, from 1st Stakeford Scouts, in Newcastle, will be attending the camp in Sunderland.

Lauren, 17, said: "We've been planning this Centenary Camp for ages. Everyone is very excited and it's going to be a brilliant way to celebrate 100 years of Scouting."

Tom, 14, said: "This weekend we're going to be able to try lots of amazing activities including climbing, archery and an assault course, so we're all really looking forward to it."

Jonathan Chicken, the assistant county commissioner for Durham Scouts, said: "Scouting's message - about citizenship and developing interpersonal skills - has never been more relevant, and we do it in a fun way.

"Adventure is at the heart of Scouting and we passionately believe in helping young people to fulfil their potential.

"It's very important for us to look forward, for us to say that Scouting is alive and well and about having a good time."