Competitions & Camps

These are some of the competitions and events available to Explorers. If you and your friends wish to enter a team or take part in any of these events please let your leaders know.

Competitions

The Southern 50 Challenge

There are THREE routes, 50 miles and 50km open to all, and a 30km route for Explorer Scouts only. The event is a test of good orienteering skills as well as physical ability and teamwork and unlike other well-known hikes, local knowledge will not be of help as the route will not be disclosed until the day of the event. All teams therefore start with exactly the same chance of winning a trophy.
 Approx Cost: £30
 Time of Year: February
 Website http://www.scouts-gln-southern50.org.uk/page/s50-challenge_the-challenge/index.html?activetreelist=menu_tab-menu_s50-challenge_background

Chiltern Challenge

Chiltern Challenge is Hertfordshire Scouts very own Explorer Scout Competition. Over the weekend, teams of five pit their wits against a series of challenges designed to show their skill, ingenuity and team working.
During the day, teams undertake the navigation challenge, our assault course (mud will be provided!) and a series of team challenges around Phasels Wood Scout Activity Centre.
Once darkness falls, the competition continues in the countryside in deepest darkest Hertfordshire. Teams will face the task of navigating to bases around our 20 km course, where further points can be gained on the night challenges.
 Approx Cost: £40
 Time of Year: March
 Website http://www.hertfordshirescouts.org.uk/explorer-scouts/chiltern-challenge-2/

Endurance80

Endurance80 is a 24 hour hike covering 80 kilometers / 50 miles cross country centred on Great Missenden in Buckinghamshire.  It takes goes east to Chesham, then northwest to Princes Risborough before returning to Great Missenden.  
It is open to anyone over the age of 14 from the Scouting and Guiding movements.  Some people run it, most people walk it. 
 Approx Cost: 
 Time of Year: March
 Website http://www.endurance80.org.uk/

Apex Challenge

Apex Challenge events are among the toughest of all adventure competitions in the UK. We run two major events every year. Each attracts around 400 Explorer Scouts and members of the Scout Network from across the country. Entry is in teams of four.
 Approx Cost: 
 Time of Year: April
 Website http://www.apexchallenge.co.uk/index.htm

Dragnet

The aim of the competition is walk, crawl or run back to the competition venue, avoiding capture, within specified boundaries over a distance of around 35 miles depending on terrain.
 Approx Cost: £60
 Time of Year: July
 Website http://www.dragnet.org.uk/index.html

Peak Assault

Peak Assault is Hertfordshire Scouts’ most challenging competition organised for members of the Scout Association aged 14 and over. The competitors must use their orienteering skills, physical ability and mental strength to navigate their way across unforgiving terrain ‘clipping’ as many checkpoints as they can within the allotted time. The competitors must also carry all the equipment they will need for a night on the hills.
 Approx Cost: £60
 Time of Year: October
 Website http://www.hertfordshirescouts.org.uk/activities/events/peak-assault/


Camps

IMC (INITIAL & INTERMEDIATE MOUNTAINEERING COURSE)

The IMC is a week long course held at Lochearnhead Scout Station, Hertfordshire Scouts Activity Centre in the Central Highlands of Scotland. The course is open to those who are 13 or above (including adults). No hill walking experience is required prior to the course, although it would prove very beneficial if you have some map reading and basic navigation skills. The course takes place over the Easter period where the weather can be very variable and may be anything from cold and snowy, wet or even sunny and hot. Applicants need to be prepared to go out in the hills whatever the conditions. The week is a lot of fun and we make sure that there is the right balance between enjoying the mountain environment as well as providing a learning experience.
 Approx Cost: 
 Time of Year: April
 Website http://www.hertfordshirescouts.org.uk/activities/activities-a-z/land-activities/mountaineering/initial-intermediate-mountaineering-course/

AMC (ADVANCED MOUNTAINEERING COURSE)

The AMC is a week long course held at Lochearnhead Scout Station, Hertfordshire Scouts Activity Centre in the Central Highlands of Scotland.  The course is open to those who are 16+ with relevant hill walking experience, eg a recommendation from an IMC or personal experience covering route planning, safety, wild country camping and navigation.  Applicants will need to be able to look after themselves and to have a good level of personal fitness to cope with the potentially adverse weather conditions.  The course takes place over the New Year period which can mean very cold through to very wet weather and thus involves a strong element of self-reliance and survival!  The week is also a lot of fun and we don’t forget to celebrate the New Year.
 Approx Cost: 
 Time of Year: December
 Website http://www.hertfordshirescouts.org.uk/activities/activities-a-z/land-activities/mountaineering/advanced-mountaineering-course/

Gilwell24

The core Gilwell 24 event is a 24 hour long day of activity and challenges running from 09:00 on Saturday straight through until 09:00 Sunday
 Approx Cost: £45
 Time of Year: July
 Website http://www.gilwell24.info/default/

East Mersea Sailing Week

If you would like to take up Sailing or improve your existing Sailing skills then consider attending the Sailing Activity Week at East Mersea. We have a team of qualified instructors who will be able to help you. Please apply on the form to attend, preferably as groups, but individuals can be accommodated as well. The week will suite older Scouts, Guides, Explorer Scouts and Network Scouts. Scouts or Guides younger than 11 years of age will find the week taxing! The sailing activities during the week will be based on the Dinghy Sailing syllabuses of the Royal Yachting Association (RYA). The appropriate RYA sailing certificate(s) will be presented at the end of the week if the course requirements are completed successfully.
 Approx Cost: 
 Time of Year: 
 Website http://www.hertfordshirescouts.org.uk/ai1ec_event/east-mersea-sailing-week/?instance_id=1165