INSTRUCTION PACK The Basics The Cmpetitins Rules and Scring Equipment List Shadws Rles Updated 16 th September 2018 2AC Organised with pride by 2 nd Amersham Cmmn Scut Grup since 1987
The Basics The, r Grim s ditch, is an extensive series f Irn Age earthwrks, still visible in the Chilterns. Pssibly a cmbinatin f bundaries and causeways, the Angl Saxns named them after Grimr, their nickname fr Odin: the masked gd f mystery. The Hikes will certainly take yu by ne f these strange features. The Hikes Are cmpetitive rienteering events pen t Scuts, Guides and Explrers. Using a map and cmpass, teams plan a curse and lcate hidden cntrls. A ne-day event is a race-against-the-clck t find the cntrls in the quickest time. A tw-day event invlves an vernight camp and is a challenging cmbinatin f speed, planning and stamina. Orienteering Cntrls Are these are small range and white flags identified by a numbered tag. Clippers are tied t each Cntrl which punch a unique pattern nt team Cntrl Cards. Make sure the number f the Cntrl matches yur Cntrl Card! Punched Cntrl Card 10 metres and 245 degrees frm the hawthrn bush" Finding the Cntrls Teams are given a map, marked with the apprximate lcatin f each Cntrl. But they are well hidden (under bushes, behind trees, under stiles...) Teams must use the clues prvided when they are clse t the Cntrl t find its exact lcatin. Hikers must therefre knw hw t take a bearing, estimate distance and smetime identify cmmn trees.
Cmpetitins The Junir Event is aimed at Scuts and Guides 13 ½ years and under Shadwed Teams 1 Day Cmpetitin 15 Cntrls T Find 16km Rutes All Junir teams cmplete a circular rute, starting and finishing at the Start HQ All Junir teams are accmpanied by an adult Shadw, prvided by the entering Trps Each team must find 15 Cntrls arund a curse f abut 16km Team A HQ Team B Each team fllws a different curse One-Dayers Dn t Use Overnight HQ Team 2 Tp Tips The mst efficient rute is t fllw the rder f the Cntrls given n the Cntrl Card Dn t fllw the team in frnt! They wn t be ding the same rute but they are the same length abut 16km A winning team wuld nrmally find all the Cntrls In which case, the winning team is nrmally the fastest team t have fund all their cntrls. The time taken is usually between 6 and 10 hurs Useful t Knw Dn t frget, yu can use the Hikes as part f yur trp s prgramme. Or even use it as a fund-raising pprtunity (at yur arrangement) Chief Scut Award Hike Activity Badge Opprtunity Trp Spnsrship Opprtunity
Cmpetitins Senir & Open Event fr Explrers and lder Scuts and Guides Between 13 & 15 years Senir Under 18 years Open Un- Shadwed Teams 2 Day Cmpetitin 15 + 18 Cntrls T Find 20km + 15km Rutes Senir and Open teams are un-shadwed Teams begin at the Start HQ but carry their equipment and fd fr an vernight camp at a remte site Day 1, teams fllw set curses, untimed. Day 2, teams cllect pint frm Cntrls within a maximum time Saturday HQ Sunday Each team fllws a different curse n the first day Tw-Dayers Carry Their Kit fr Overnight! HQ Tp Tips Day 1 The mst efficient rute is t fllw the rder f the Cntrls given n the Cntrl Card Dn t fllw the team in frnt! They wn t be ding the same rute but they are the same length abut 20km There is n time deadline n the first day but Cntrls are difficult t find in the dark A winning team wuld nrmally but necessarily - find all the Cntrls n the first day Tp Tips Day 2 On the secnd day, there is n set rute and Cntrls are wrth different pints. Plan yur rute back t the Start HQ t cllect as many pints as pssible But remember there is a time limit f 5 hurs Yu dn t have t carry yur kit n the secnd day! Useful t Knw Cnsider using as DfE practise hike
The Rules The Frmal Rules f the Hikes The Hikes are all abut fun, team-wrking and experience-building. But there is als a strng cmpetitive element t the event, t add t the challenge and drive teams n. S, there are rules! Nt especially cmplicated, but necessary and wrth understanding befre getting t the event. We've tried t cver mst things, but if any rulings are required, these remain at the discretin f the Event Cntrller QUALIFICATION & COMPETITIONS Event One Day - Cmpetitive Tw Day Cmpetitive Team Ages Team Cmpsitin Team Size Ntes JUNIORS All team members must be 13 years 6 mnths r yunger n the first day f the cmpetitin Any cmbinatin f Scuts and Guides A minimum f 3 and a maximum f 5 walkers Alternative team sizes may be allwed t START nly after cnsultatin with the Event Cntrller JUNIOR teams with nly tw members remaining due t retiring walker(s) may cntinue nly at the discretin f the Shadw and Event Cntrller Single walkers must jin anther team if acceptable t bth parties SENIORS All team members must be between 13 and 15 years ld n the first day f the cmpetitin OPEN All team members must be yunger than 18 years ld n the first day f the cmpetitin Any cmbinatin f Scuts, Guides and Explrers A minimum f 3 and a maximum f 5 walkers Alternative team size may be allwed t START nly after cnsultatin with the Event Organiser SENIOR and OPEN teams with nly tw members remaining due t retiring walker(s) may cntinue Single walkers must jin anther team if acceptable t bth parties Shadws Teams MUST be Shadwed Teams MUST NOT be Shadwed Nn-Cmpeting Teams Anyne assciated with the Scuting r Guiding Assciatins may take part in The as as nn-cmpeting teams There are n age r team size restrictins but Junir age categry walkers shuld still be shadwed and senir age Categry walkers must remain in pairs as a minimum We are happy t still scre nn-cmpeting teams thugh they will be ineligible fr any trphies Trphies JUNIOR CHALLENGE SHIELD The winners will be the Junir team with the highest n. f pints. If scres are equal, then the fastest team wins JUNIOR CHALLENGE TROPHY (MISBOURNE VALLEY) The winners will the Junir team frm the Misburne Valley with highest n. f pints / fastest time (ther than as verall winners) Fr clarity, if the winner f the Junir Challenge Shield is frm the Misburne Valley, then the Trphy ges t the secnd Misburne Valley team Any navigatinal assistance given by Shadws will be taken int accunts SENIOR CHALLENGE SHIELD The winners will be the Senir team with the highest n. f pints accumulated ver the tw days SENIOR CHALLENGE TROPHY (MISBOURNE VALLEY) The winner will be the highest scring Senir team frm the Misburne Valley (ther than as verall winners) OPEN CHALLENGE TROPHY The winners will be the Open team with the highest n. f pints accumulated ver the tw days Nte: as Senir teams are als classified as Open teams, then if a Senir team shuld win the Open Challenge Trphy, then the Senir Challenge Shield shall g t the secnd team in the Senir Categry MISBOURNE VALLEY ESU TROPHY The winners will be an ESU-nly team frm the Misburne Valley with the highest n. f pints accumulated ver the tw days Certificates Certificates will be available t all cmpeting team members wh satisfactrily cmplete their hikes Exclusive cmmemrative badges will be available t all participants and cllectible at check in
The Rules The Frmal Rules f the Hikes COURSE AND SCORING Curse Day 1 8 separate rutes, randmly-allcated Each apprximately 16km Teams must lcate the 15 flags as indicated n their cntrl cards The rder f flags n the cntrl card is generally the shrtest rute The rute returns t Start HQ 4 separate rutes, randmly-allcated Each apprximately 20km Teams must lcate the 15 flags as indicated n their cntrl cards The rder f flags n the cntrl card is generally the shrtest rute The rute finishes at the vernight campsite Scring Day 1 Each cntrl crrectly clipped scres 10 pints Each cntrl crrectly clipped scres 10 pints Time Restrictins Day 1 There is n time restrictin but teams expecting t arrive after 6pm will be cntacted and ffered transprt There is n time restrictin but generally teams expecting t arrive after 6pm shuld advise Start HQ with estimated arrival times and update accrdingly Curse Day 2 N/A There is n set rute: cntrl flags may be visited in any rder and teams may plan this at the vernight camp Teams must lcate as many f the 18 flags as indicated n their cntrl cards in the time available Cmpetitrs shuld finish back at the Day 1 Start HQ Scring Day 2 N/A Each cntrl crrectly clipped adds t the first day s ttal Cntrl flags have differing values. The further r mre difficult cntrls scre mre pints The flag values are indicated n the cntrl sheet Time Restrictins Day 2 Nn-Cmpeting Teams Safety Behaviur N/A Teams have 5 HOURS MAXIMUM t lcate flags n Day 2 The curse pens at 8.00am and clses at 2.00pm Teams leaving after 9.00am will therefre have less than 5 hurs Teams leaving befre 9.00am must check in at the finish n later than 5 hurs after they start Teams arriving after their 5 hur and /r 2.00pm deadline will be penalised 10 pints fr every full five minutes late Teams ut after 2.00pm shuld return directly t HQ withut seeking any further flags As per chsen event categry Nn-cmpeting teams may f curse take shrt cuts and/r finish the curse as necessary The fllwing instructins regarding Safety and Behaviur and are als rules f the cmpetitin High-visibility vests must be wrn by all walkers at all times Teams must stick t the permissive ftpaths as marked n the event maps even if hikers are ccasinally lst Except in emergency, any team splitting up withut ntificatin f the Event Cntrller will be disqualified. N-ne is t be left unattended under any circumstances All teams must have a mbile phne cntact which must be left at HQ n registratin Trp leaders are respnsible fr ensuring their teams are prperly equipped - n frmal kit-check will be undertaken but spt checks are pssible. Interference with flags and clippers in rder t handicap ther teams will mean disqualificatin Observe The Cuntry Cde: clse gates and especially dn t drp litter Be respectful f prperty: any vandalism, intentinal damage f equipment r sabtage will mean disqualificatin Be curteus t thse arund yu and peple yu meet during the event Smking and Drinking is prhibited at all times during the event
Equipment Making Sure Everyne Has the Crrect Equipment Nte that this event can take place in extremely bad weather - it has never been cancelled in its histry It is imprtant that equipment is f gd enugh quality and a rule f the event that teams are prperly kitted ut There is n frmal kit check - s it is the respnsibility f the Trp leaders t ensure that walkers are prperly prepared - but be prepared fr spt checks. Light refreshments and ht drinks are available at the end f the hike INDIVIDUAL EQUIPMENT IN ADDITION TO INDIVIDUAL EQUIPMENT Grup / Unit scarf must be wrn at all time High visibility sash r vest: must be wrn at all times Inner-layer cttn shirt Mid-layer fleece r wlly sweater. Waterprf jacket - gd quality Trusers - cttn r quick-dry synthetic (nt jeans) Waterprf trusers - gd quality Rucksack - lined with waterprf plastic bag. Sleeping bag in plastic bag INSIDE rucksack Karrimat r similar Spare clthes - scks, warm tp, track suit etc. Tthbrush / tiletries Tilet paper Small twel Ftwear (Hiking bts preferred) Hiking scks (cnsider cttn inner and wl uter) Headwear Glves Day bag / small rucksack Persnal first aid kit Pencil / paper Cmpass Whistles Trch and spare batteries Watch Lunch Emergency ratins Water bttle with 1L minimum water Team tent(s) split between team Cker(s) Fuel Matches Cking pan(s) / mess tins Cutlery / Mug Lightweight fd fr evening meal, breakfast Lunch fr secnd day. Mbile phne NOTE On the first day, Senir and Open Teams must carry their equipment fr the vernight camp On the secnd day's hike, cmpetitrs d nt need t carry all the equipment: hikers may cnsider TEAM EQUIPMENT wearing rienteering-style kit (in which case it must be carried n the first day) Maps and rute cards are prvided n the day fr all teams and Shadws Plastic map cases - tw each per team Survival bag ne per team Overnight equipment and kit may be left at the site and cllected later (at the team's wn arrangement)
Shadws ROLE The Junir teams must be shadwed by a cmpetent adult, prvided by the entering trps, wh is DBS cleared The shadw s rle is t be n hand when needed but nt therwise. The independence f the team is imprtant and it neither helps their self-esteem nr their learning experience if yu interfere when nt required. There is nly a very brief briefing at the start, as we d nt wish t delay the start f the hike, s please read the rules, etc, and the fllwing befre yu cme. RESPONSIBILITY Be sure yur team identifies their crrect cntrl flags fr their specific curse by lking at the flag numbers shwn n their cntrl card bxes. The team needs t select the descriptin specific t their flag numbers. The flags will be well-hidden. The type f prblems that might require yur help are as fllws: The team has gt sufficiently lst fr it t be seriusly delayed unless advised where they are. In which case shw them where they are and guide them back n t their rute - then let them cntinue again n their wn, if yu think they are cmpetent enugh. Smene ill, injured r tired. Phne the Cntrller as sn as pssible using the emergency number n yur map. Arrange transprt fr the ill/injured/tired member, and agree the pick-up pint. Dn t leave the patient unattended and keep the team with yu at all times. Team s navigatin is far t bad fr them t manage Try t cntinue and use the pprtunity t teach navigatin, giving them bits t d If all else fails, take ver the navigatin cmpletely SAFETY Ensure yu learn f any member s disabilities, medical cnditin, etc. Insist n dnning waterprfs when needed Keep t ftpaths at all times unless essential t use a rad, then be very careful! EQUIPMENT Shadws will need a Silva type cmpass and be familiar with hw t use if needed! Yu must cllect a laminated duplicate f the team s map and the flag detailed lcatin sheet at Registratin. The maps shw ALL the cntrls fr the entire set f 12 curses. Yu MUST carry a mbile phne, but we d nt expect t hear frm yu UNLESS yu have an emergency. Leave yur name and its number with Registratin at the start. Yu will need t carry a first aid kit and be cmpetent in treating minr injuries. REPORTING At the end f the hike please cmplete the reprt frm n hw yu think yur team perfrmed and hand it in at the Finish. Hpefully they will have dne all the navigatin themselves and yu will have just been a passenger (but hpefully enjyed the hike anyway). It is imprtant that we knw the degree t which teams have been helped, as it wuld be unfair therwise n teams that had nt been helped; s please be hnest with yur cmments. Only the Junir teams are t be shadwed n the Saturday. N Senir r Open team shuld be shadwed n either day, unless they are nt cntesting the Trphies. Finally, thank yu fr vlunteering - it makes ur rganisatin a lt easier