District Inter-Unit Night Hike (Explorers)

Are you ready to put your navigation, teamwork and outdoor skills to the test?

The Doncaster Danum District Night Hike is an annual competition that challenges Explorer Scout teams to navigate through the night, work together to overcome practical challenges and demonstrate their Scouting skills under pressure. Working independently, teams will plot their own route before travelling between checkpoints, completing a series of incident based challenges along the way.

The Night Hike provides Explorer Scouts with a memorable overnight adventure while putting their navigation, teamwork and practical Scouting skills to the test against teams from across the District.

Event Overview

The District Inter Unit Night Hike is one of Doncaster Danum’s annual Explorer Scout competitions, bringing together teams from across the District for an exciting overnight navigation challenge.

Beginning at Fishlake Community Hall, teams will plot their own route before setting off on a night hike to Thorne Methodist Church. Along the way, they will visit a series of incident bases where they will complete practical Scouting challenges designed to test their navigation, teamwork, communication and practical Scouting skills.

After completing the hike, all participants will stay overnight before enjoying a bacon sandwich breakfast and attending the presentation of trophies and awards on Sunday morning.

What to Expect

• Plot your own route using the maps provided.
• Navigate independently between checkpoints during a night hike.
• Visit four incident bases, each featuring realistic Scouting challenges.
• Work together as a team to overcome practical challenges.
• Put your navigation, teamwork and decision making skills into practice.
• Stay overnight with Explorer Scout teams from across the District.
• Enjoy a bacon sandwich breakfast on Sunday morning.
• Attend the presentation of trophies and awards.

Who Can Attend

• Explorer Scouts only.
• Teams must consist of 3 to 6 Explorer Scouts.
• All teams compete in a single competition.

Key Details

• Start Location: Fishlake Community Hall
• Finish Location: Thorne Methodist Church
• Dates: Saturday 17 October to Sunday 18 October 2026
• Arrival: Teams will be allocated an arrival time approximately 30 days before the event. Teams should arrive at least two hours before their allocated start time.
• Presentation: Sunday 18 October at approximately 10:30am
• Collection: Thorne Methodist Church at approximately 11:00am on Sunday
• Cost: £15 per participant
• Accommodation: Overnight indoor accommodation at Thorne Methodist Church
• Food Included: Soup station refreshments during the event and a bacon sandwich breakfast on Sunday morning

Kit List

Essential Personal Equipment

Each participant should bring:

• Walking boots or sturdy walking footwear.
• Waterproof jacket and waterproof trousers (weather dependent).
• Spare warm clothing.
• Head torch.
• High visibility vest (an oversized vest is recommended to fit over a rucksack).
• Sleeping bag.
• Roll mat.

Sleeping bags and roll mats should be left at the venue before the hike and will be used for the overnight stay after completing the competition.

Team Equipment

Each team must provide:

• Bothy bag suitable for up to seven people (or a suitably sized tarp).
• Compass.
• White light.
• Red light.
• One adult sleeping bag.
• One survival bag.
• Watch.
• Team first aid kit.
• Pen and pencil.
• Small notebook with tear out pages.
• Fully charged mobile phone.

Each team should also carry a backup fully charged mobile phone.

Maps are provided by the District and do not need to be brought to the event.

Please ensure that all equipment is clearly named to help reunite lost property with its owner.

Important Information

Kit Inspection

Before setting off, every team must complete a mandatory kit inspection.

A full equipment list for each team and participant will be issued once your booking has been confirmed.

Please note:

• Every required item must be presented during the inspection.
• Teams will not be permitted to start until all required equipment has been checked.
• Missing equipment must be produced before the team’s allocated start time.
• Any delay caused by missing equipment will reduce the team’s available plotting time.
• All walking boots must be clean before entering the inspection area.

Arrival

Each team will be allocated an arrival time approximately 30 days before the event.

On arrival, teams will:

• Leave overnight equipment at the accommodation venue.
• Complete the mandatory kit inspection.
• Plot their route for the competition.

Please only take the equipment required for the hike into the kit inspection area.

Route Plotting

Teams will have two hours to plot their route using the maps provided.

No food should be eaten in the plotting room.

Once route planning has been completed, each team will be allocated a maximum walking time based on their planned route, with an additional time allowance. Teams exceeding their allocated finish time will be withdrawn from the competition.

Competition Equipment

At the end of the event, teams must return all issued competition equipment, including:

• Route cards.
• Score cards.
• Pens.
• Felt tip pens.

Points will be deducted for any missing or unreturned equipment.

Booking & Payment

• Bookings open: 10 July 2026.
• Bookings close: 18 September 2026.
• Bookings are made through the District website.
• The entry fee is £15 per participant.
• Full payment is required at the time of booking.
• Bookings are non refundable.
• If places remain after the booking deadline, Units that have already entered one or more teams may submit one additional team. Additional entries must be received by 25 September 2026 and will be accepted subject to availability.
• Final joining instructions will be sent to the lead booking contact approximately 30 days before the event.

Leader Information

Explorer Scout teams are expected to complete the event independently and do not require an accompanying adult leader during the competition.

Approximately 20 adult volunteers are required to deliver the event safely. If you are able to assist with marshalling, running incident bases or supporting the event, please let the District Events Team know as soon as possible.

The event is delivered under the District Nights Away Permit, and the District will submit the required Nights Away Notification (NAN).

No additional permits are required from attending Units.

Risk Assessments

Risk assessments will be available to download from this page closer to the event. Units should review these documents before attending and consider whether any additional Unit specific control measures are required for their own young people, volunteers and equipment.

Event Photography

Photographs and video footage may be taken during the event and used by Doncaster Danum Scouts on our website, social media channels and in future promotional material, including leaflets and posters.

By making a booking, Units confirm that appropriate photography permissions for all participants have been recorded and managed in accordance with The Scouts’ policies.

OSM Badge Information

The event also provides evidence towards additional badge requirements. Units should update OSM where appropriate, subject to the Section Team being satisfied that the individual Explorer Scout has completed the relevant requirement(s).

This includes evidence towards:

• Hikes Away Staged Activity Badge – One qualifying hike.
• Nights Away Staged Activity Badge – One qualifying night away.