The first ever National Talent Orientation Camp was hailed an "experience of a lifetime" by Britain's rising talent in five Olympic sports.
The four-day event, which took place at Loughborough University, gave around 100 14 to 18 year olds from across the UK the chance to learn what it takes to compete at the highest level.
With Olympic, World, European and National performers including double Olympic champion Dame Kelly Holmes offering advice and sharing their experiences, the youngsters from rowing, cycling, sailing, canoeing and triathlon were given a unique insight into elite sport.
Triathlete Joe Giggins from Hornchurch, in Essex, said: "This camp has been a great experience for me and I just wish it was going on longer. I will take home a lot of good things including memories and advice.
"The camp has been a complete learning curve and I've been able to mix with other people from the different sports and share thoughts and ideas."
Frances Peters, a sailor from Hayling Island, in Hampshire, added: "Through taking part in this camp I have started to realise how much is involved with becoming an Olympic medallist. I have been inspired and motivated to do whatever it takes to achieve my goals.
"The camp has prepared me for the hurdles that I may face and how to work harder. I now feel ready to intensify my training and when times are tough, never to lose sight on my goals."
The aim of the camp, which was funded by the Department for Education and Skills (DfES), was to prepare the young athletes for the personal, sporting, academic and vocational challenges that lie ahead.
Each day consisted of keynote speeches, presentations and workshops alongside sport specific training sessions and rest slots for the young athletes.
A panel of athletes featuring the likes of Olympic rowing silver medallist sisters Guin and Miriam Batten and Great Britain wheelchair basketball player Clare Strange gave a fascinating insight into what it is like to compete at a major Games, while the future of British sport revealed the challenges they are facing while following their dreams.
Rising stars Anna Blyth, a track cyclist, sailor Giles Scott and triathlete Harry Wiltshire explained how they are managing to juggle their education with training and what sacrifices they are making along the way to becoming professional sportspeople.
On the final day of the camp, a marketplace of Higher Education Institutions offered the youngsters guidance on their academic opportunities, while UK Sport delivered a drugs awareness strand through its "100% ME" programme.
Their parents were also invited to the camp and given advice on how they can support their children and help them make future life choices.
Steve Grainger, Chief Executive of the Youth Sport Trust, which helped develop the event in partnership with UK Sport and the national governing bodies said: "A key part of this camp has been about helping our young athletes balance the conflicting priorities that they often have to deal with - the training and preparation needs of their sport and the academic and education priorities.
"Over the course of the camp all the young athletes have undertaken a range of challenges and exercises and we hope the last few days have given them an invaluable insight into what it takes to be the best."
The camp featured five underlying themes to "Being your best" - Belief, Passion, Determination and Courage underpinned with Attitude.
At the closing ceremony, Dame Kelly Holmes helped recognise five of the young people in particular who had best demonstrated these characteristics during the four days.
They were:
Belief
Winner - Rower Simon Steele from Oxford
Passion
Winner - Triathlete Rhys Davey from Malvern, in Worcestershire
Determination
Winner - Slalom canoeist Claire Kimberley from Stone, in Staffordshire
Courage
Winner - Sprint canoeist Laura Ferguson from Oxfordshire
Attitude
Winner - Sailor George Cousins from Bodmin, in Cornwall