HURDLESTONE CHALLENGE 2011

Welcome to the website for the Hurdlestone Challenge.

What is the Hurdlestone Challenge Weekend and how did it start?

When & where does the Challenge normally take place?

What is the Hurdlestone Challenge Weekend and how did it start?

The Hurdlestone Challenge was started over ten years ago by a small group of Scout & Guide Leaders in South Devon who were inspired by a similar, but much larger, event called the Malvern Challenge. The original organisers were David Wright, Bill Wright & Jeanne Langridge all of whom have been involved in Scouting and Guiding in South Devon but as Hurdlestone has grown in popularity, so has the number of people organising the event.

The event is held over a weekend, starting on Friday late afternoon with arrivals and registration, Saturday being the Challenge Day itself and Sunday FunDay being occupied with Arts and Crafts and presentation of prizes. Click here to see a typical run down of events.

An action packed Saturday is in store for those taking part. Teams of between 4 to 6 members set off for the day visiting a number of challenge 'bases' located around a 'circular' course of around 8 to 10 miles in Teignbridge District in South Devon. The base could be a physical challenge such as an Aerial Runway, Water Challenges, Archery or Rifle Shooting, or it could be a test of your map reading or first aid skills. There are around 13 bases in all, located around the course. Each base is reached on foot across a mixture of roads and footpaths and across private farmland. Your team will score points at each base and the team with the highest points score at the end of the day will win the Hurdlestone Challenge Trophy. Prizes are also awarded to those teams who scored the highest score on each of the bases, although no team will receive more than one prize.

Apart from the Scouts and Guides taking part, support is available from a 60 strong Service Crew of active members of the Scout & Guide Association members who are aged 14½ or over on August 1st of the Challenge year. So if you are too old for the Challenge but are a member of Explorer Scouts, Rangers or are a Young Leader, you could always help as Service Crew. If you wish to offer your assistance as Service Crew please click here.

What are the Challenge WEEKEND Rules?

The following rules must be observed:-

All participants of the Hurdlestone Challenge must be members of the Scout Association and Girlguiding UK and aged no more than 14½ on 1 August of the Challenge year.
Teams must consist of at least four and no more than six members. If numbers are reduced to fewer than four at any point in the Challenge, then they must accompany another team.
Team members wishing to retire must do so at a base, unless injured.
All items on the kit list for the Challenge MUST be carried or worn at all times during the Challenge. The Troop/Unit Neckerchief must be visibly and correctly worn.
Teams must walk in single file on the roads and observe the Highway and Country Codes. NO LITTER.
Teams must attend all activity bases and check points in the specified order. Noise levels must be kept to a minimum. Radios, personal stereos, GPS/SatNav and mobile telephones will not be allowed by Scouts or Guides and will be confiscated if found.
At 5.30 p.m. the Challenge will end. Wherever a team is, it must return to the campsite, whether the course has been completed or not.
Adult leaders are not permitted to accompany their teams but they may visit any/all of the activity bases.
Aerosol sprays, alcoholic drinks & drugs are not permissible and action will be taken accordingly if found.
Self-catering is not permissible but dining is allowed within your own designated area or in or around one of the main marquees.
No dogs will be allowed on site during the weekend.
On display on the camp site, and previously sent to you, is a site layout plan clearly showing the extent of the field made available for our use. Other than for the purposes of gaining access to a base in the adjacent fields, by following the route shown on your map, all other areas of this field are out of bounds. Any equipment within the site boundary is not to be touched, moved or used in any way and the climbing of trees is not allowed.
Any games or other recreational activities will only be allowed in the large grass area outside of the main marquee as identified on the camp site plan.

Spot checks will be carried out throughout the day by marshals. Points will be deducted if the above rules are not adhered to and, if appropriate, disqualification of the whole team.

When & where does the Challenge normally take place?

The Challenge weekend is normally held during late June or early July in the Teignbridge District of South Devon. The dates and route are all subject to being finalised for the next Challenge as we have to agree access rights with local landowners. If you wish to know more please click here and once details are known we can send you an information pack.

TYPICAL HURDLESTONE WEEKEND

FRIDAY

Arrive and set up your camp
Tuck shop and souvenirs for sale
Registration of Troops/Units
Evening briefing for all participants, leaders and service crew.

SATURDAY

The Hurdlestone Challenge takes place all day
Tuck shop and souvenirs for sale
Evening entertainment.

SUNDAY

Scouts/Guides Own
Tuck shop and souvenirs for sale
FunDay crafts and on site activities
Closing ceremony, vote of thanks and presentation of awards.

HOW MUCH WILL IT COST?

TEAM MEMBERS

The inclusive fee is just £35.00 each. This includes food, campsite fees, all entertainment, the Hurdlestone Challenge, the Sunday Fun Day, camp badge and certificate.

LEADERS

The inclusive fee is £20.00 each. This includes food, campsite fees and camp badge.

SERVICE CREW

The inclusive fee is £15.00 each. This includes food, campsite fees and camp badge.
Minimum age is 14½ as at 1 August of the Challenge year and minimum age for sleeping in the Service Crew area will be 16 at the time of the event.

NON PARTICIPATING CHILDREN

By special arrangement only. Please contact us prior to making any arrangements for other children to attend.

how can I GET MORE INFORMATION ?

If you wish to take part in the Challenge this year or wish to help as Service Crew please e-mail us via the "Contact Hurdlestone" link below.

Please ensure the details you provide are fully up to date and accurate as your details will be validated at Scout & Guide HQ.

When you e-mail us, please let us have the following information:-

Your full name, address and telephone number.
The name of your Unit/Troop.
Whether you are entering your Unit/Troop(s) for the Challenge or offering help as Service Crew.

Please note any missing information will prevent us from issuing you with an information pack and application form.

All applications are treated on a 'first come, first served' basis up to a limit of 90 team places and 60 for Service Crew. The event is very popular and demand can be high so the earlier you contact us the better your chances of reserving space. Any applications received after the closing date will be ignored.

Please note that e-mailing us does not automatically guarantee your place in the Challenge. When you register your interest we will send you an application form which you must complete and return. Only when we receive that form will your places be reserved if the limit has not been reached for participants or Service Crew.

Your Unit/Troop can enter more than one team if you wish but please remember that teams must have a minimum of 4 and a maximum of 6 participants.

T shirts are also available and you can order these when you complete your application form.

CONTACT HURDLESTONE