The Chiltern 20 Challenge

The Challenge Hike will follow a similar format to last year's successful and well-attended event. Whether you are new to C20 or an old hand please read this information carefully. The Chiltern 20 Challenge Hike is open to all Scout Association Members in the Scout Troop Section not having reached the age of fourteen and a half. We are confirming this by stipulating that all members of the Scout section may participate if they were born after 15th April 1997.

The Challenge is a test of physical ability as well as good orienteering. Please ensure that each member of your team reads this leaflet and understands the rules of the event before the team is entered.

Your team must comprise between three and five Scouts. Adults may accompany the team in the circumstances specified in the entry form. Should one of the team wish to retire, the remainder may continue as long as at least two Scouts and the adult(s) are still walking. If not those wishing to continue must join up with other walkers. Any incomplete team will not, however, qualify for the trophy; the complete team that started must finish together to qualify for a trophy.

Taking part in the event helps the participants to gain their Fitness Challenge Badge.

The Chiltern 20 Challenge Route

The route will not be disclosed before the start so all teams will begin with an equal chance. The team leader (a Scout, not an adult) will be given a list of six figure grid references where there will be adult staffed checkpoints. Each team must report to all checkpoints, in the given order, as well as the finish. The route between checkpoints will be up to the discretion of the team, they MUST obey the Country Code and Highway Code at all times. 

The use of footpaths are to be encouraged where possible. For the route this year you will require one Ordnance Survey Explorer map number 194 (Hertford & Bishop's Stortford). We do not recommend the use of a Landranger map.

Walkers will be timed in and out at one of the checkpoints where navigation training will be given by the GLN Mountaineering Team. These sessions do not form part of the competition but are designed to make the event more interesting and to improve the team's ability to navigate. The time spent WILL NOT count towards the overall time taken to complete the event.

All teams must report to the start by 07:30hrs on Saturday 11th October 2011. The first team will start at 08:00hrs after a strict kit check, the remaining teams will follow at two minute intervals. The start and finish of the walk is The Village Hall, Cottered, Hertfordshire, SG9 9QL. Grid Ref 323 293. 

The presentation ceremony will start at 18:00hrs, teams will be able to depart at approximately 18:30hrs.

Rules

1. This event is open to any member of the Scout section being born after 15th April 1997.
2. Wrist bands MUST be worn at ALL times and shown when asked.
3. Each person must wear suitable clothing for the weather conditions (no jeans), boots or strong shoes (no trainers), a hi-vis jacket (with or without sleeves) waterproofs, packed lunch and a mug.
4. Each team must carry a compact basic first aid kit, a small wind-up or a battery operated torch with spare batteries, OS Explorer map 194 (Hertford & Bishop’s Stortford), a compass and a watch. Also at least one mobile phone per team (excluding any adults) must be carried for emergency use only. Please ensure it is switched on throughout the event, fully charged with sufficient credit. Mobile numbers will be noted by officials at the reception desk for use by Central Control.
5. Team members wishing to retire should do so only at a checkpoint where the checkpoint manager will make the necessary arrangements.
6. In the event of a retirement, the remaining team members may continue with at least two walkers plus an adult. If just two team members wish to continue, they must join with another team to form a scratch team of four or more. All finishers will receive a certificate but only complete teams can qualify for a trophy.
7. Checkpoints must be reached in the order given and a signature obtained. Every team must keep together at all times. The time of the last team member is the one that will be recorded.
8. Time spent at each checkpoint will be included in the official finishing time, unless it is a training checkpoint.
9. Teams receiving help in any form (other than first aid), including the use of communication equipment, will be disqualified.
10. This is an event for young people of scout age. Young Leaders cannot participate in the event.
    
11. Any adult walking with a team is honour bound not to take the lead. This role is purely to ensure the safety of the walkers. Any adult walking with a team will be allowed to make the decision to allow the team to carry on unaccompanied at a checkpoint if everybody from that team is in agreement and the relevant part of the parental consent form has been signed.
12. DO NOT cross or walk along any ‘A’ class roads except in an emergency, or where instructed to do so.
13. When walking across country, obey the Country Code and have respect for people’s property.
14. When walking along public highway, obey the Highway Code and wear hi-vis jackets (with or without sleeves) as the upper most layer of clothing.
15. Teams MUST phone the emergency number if they do not reach the next checkpoint after two hours walking from the previous checkpoint.
16. The organisers and officials have the right to stop the event and/or competitors from continuing at their discretion.

Essential Kit List

All participants must wear or carry:

• Suitable clothing for weather conditions (no jeans) which must include each of the following items:
• Waterproof jacket and over-trousers
• Jumper or fleece
  
• Boots or robust shoes (no trainers)
• Hi-vis jacket (with or without sleeves)
  
• Identification wristband (issued to each participant when teams register)
  
• Day sack containing:

• Gloves
• Hat
• Lunch and drink
• Emergency rations
• Mug

All teams must carry:

• Compact basic first aid kit
• Small wind-up or battery operated torch with spare batteries
  
• Map – Explorer Map 194 (Hertford & Bishop’s Stortford)
• Compass
• Watch
• Mobile phone, switched on, fully charged with sufficient credit
  

Competitors may wish to have a wash kit and a change of clothing for after the event, and this can be left at the start venue for the duration of the walk.

Please be aware that some participants may have allergic reactions to certain foods. When selecting your personal emergency rations check that other members of your team (who you may offer food to during the walk) do not have allergies to the type of food you may consider carrying (eg peanuts and sweets/cakes/biscuits containing nuts).

How to Enter

Try to send the entry form well before the closing date to avoid disappointment - the event is so popular that we are having to turn late team entries away.

Entering the Chiltern 20 Challenge is done in four parts.

PART ONE

• Download and print a copy of the Chiltern 20 Walk Leaflet 2011
• Download and print a copy of the Parent's Permission Form for every member of your team under the age of 18 on the day of the event.

PART TWO

• Click here to log in to the Entry Database.
  
• Then follow the instructions below to create a team record entry and fill in the names and other information requested.
  
  • Select "Chiltern20".
  • Enter "Chiltern" as account name.
  • Enter "20" as password.
  • Follow instructions when database actually loads. You will have to create your own username and password
  • This system allows you to create your own entry record. You type in your name, and a password of your choice.
  • Whenever you want to look at or change your details, you will need that password - so don't forget it!
  • You can make any updates to walker's names using this system, until 48 hours before the event.
  • Any changes you need to make after this time should be done at the reception desk at the walk venue.

• THIS INFORMS US THAT YOU INTEND TO TAKE PART
• It also saves us typing out your details and it avoids mistakes in the entry. It also saves a lot of paper.

PART THREE

• Select the Entry Form Page and print a copy
• Sign this document, place it in an envelope with a cheque to cover the entry fee and post it to the walk secretary.
• THIS CONFIRMS YOUR ENTRY AND PROVIDES US WITH THE FUNDS TO SUPPLY CATERING AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS OF THE EVENT

PART FOUR

• Bring with you on the day a copy of the Parent's Permission Form completed and SIGNED by the parents of EVERY young person who is participating in the event.
• Also bring with you for inspection any documentary proof of age and membership of any adult walking with the team of young people.
• THIS CONFIRMS THE ELIGIBILITY OF ALL PARTICIPANTS

If for some reason you are unable to complete the process in this way, please make contact with the walk secretary who will then make paper copies available for you to complete

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Hints and Tips for a Successful Challenge

Training for the event should involve some map reading and walking. Ideally this should be in the countryside but if this is not possible try navigating around your HQ, local park and neighbourhood. If you do not train it does not mean that you will not finish but it might mean that you get lost and end up walking twice as far as everyone else

• Do not try breaking in new boots or shoes on the event. It will hurt - a lot.
• Check all kit well before, when you enter would be a good idea.
• It is a navigation exercise so it would help if all of the team could use a compass and understand a map
• Try to send the entry form well before the closing date to avoid disappointment - the event is so popular that we are having to turn late team entries away.