THE QUEST BASICS
- The Quest is a premier Scouting event, established in 1988. It continues to go from strength to strength
- The Quest is the ultimate incident hike: a unique combination of navigation, physical and mental challenges, and teamwork
- Shadowed Teams navigate a cross-country course (much of it in the dark) to find Bases
- At each Base, Teams must complete a task and score points before being given the coordinates of the next Base
- Upon completion, there is a final task back at the Finish HQ using the clues collected on the course.
- Points are awarded for all activities. The objective of The Quest is to score the most points
- Each year, The Quest has a topical theme that inspires the activities at each Bases
PARTICIPATION AND ARRANGEMENTS
- The Quest is open to Scouts, Guide and young Explorers who compete in Teams of between 4 and 6
- All Teams are shadowed by adult helpers
- There are a maximum of 64 Teams (about 350 scouts).
- Teams are checked for kit at the Start HQ, then transported to the course where they start about 3pm.
- The course closes at 12pm when Teams are then transported back to the Finish HQ for their final task.
BE PREPARED!
- The Quest is a fun and rewarding event, but it is a genuine challenge for the young people taking part.
- The total walking distance walked is about 16km, most of it is in the dark, and it can take place in just about any kind of weather
- By the time Teams get back to HQ after walking it will normally be well after midnight after a long and tiring day... the ultimate finish time may be as late as 1am in the morning
- The Bases officially provide no food or drink – all provisions must be carried by Teams.
- Soup and a snack will be provided at the Finish HQ
IT’S A CHALLENGE! (For the Older People, too)
- It’s a big event so it relies on many volunteers. All help is appreciated but The Quest especially needs support in the following areas:
BASE MANAGERS
- The Bases are the core of the event and running one of these involves arranging the set-up, the equipment, running and staffing and ensuring the Base can manage the capacity of Teams.
- It’s great fun and often times the Bases have fires, lights, music, food…
- Bases Managers are fully supported by the Base Manager Controller – you are not alone.
BASE HELPERS
- Good-humoured helpers are needed to support and assist the Base Managers and each Team entered is asked to provide at least one Base Helper.
- Note: Troops entering more than one walking Team are requested to volunteer to run a Base!
SHADOWS
- Each Team entered has to provide a Shadow although Shadows do not walk with their own Team.
- The role of the Shadow is primarily about safety – not assistance - though there may be times when they will need to recover their Team’s position.
- Map reading skills are therefore essential, and the ability to motivate tired youngsters in the cold and wet.
- Shadows are fully supported by the Shadow Controller and will need to complete a pre-walk held on the weekends before the event.
TRANSPORT
- Each troop must also provide enough seats for their Team members to be transported to the course - named drivers are usually the Shadows
- If everyone provides adequate numbers of seats for their own Team members, we can normally get everyone to the start on time!
- Minibuses are very welcome
Thanks in advance.
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