Scouts Expedition Challenge Award (CSA Gold)

Are you ready to complete your Expedition Challenge and take the next step towards your Chief Scout’s Gold Award?

This expedition gives Scouts the opportunity to plan, complete and reflect on a real outdoor challenge, building teamwork, confidence and independence along the way.

Event Overview

This two day expedition will see Scout teams walk from 28th Sprotbrough Scout HQ to Squirrel Wood, covering approximately 15km and completing the full Expedition Challenge Award.

Following an event briefing, teams will plan their own route and complete a route card with support from the District Events Team before setting off. Throughout the expedition, Scouts will navigate independently, make decisions as a team and develop their navigation, teamwork and outdoor skills. Leaders will accompany each team in a Tenderfoot style role, supervising and ensuring safety without leading or directing the Scouts.

On arrival at Squirrel Wood, teams will pitch their own tents before enjoying a two course BBQ evening meal followed by dessert and a traditional campfire.

On Sunday morning, Scouts will cook their own breakfast using Trangia stoves before preparing and delivering a presentation to the rest of the group, reflecting on the navigation techniques and expedition skills they used throughout the weekend.

Following successful completion of the event, Scouts will be presented with their Expedition Challenge Award badge and certificate.

What to Expect

• 15km expedition from Sprotbrough to Squirrel Wood
• Team based route planning and navigation
• Route card planning before departure
• Overnight camping at Squirrel Wood
• Pitching and striking tents
• Two course BBQ evening meal and campfire
• Cooking breakfast using Trangia stoves
• Expedition reflection and presentation
• Presentation of the Expedition Challenge Award badge and certificate (subject to successful completion)

Who Can Attend

• Scouts
• Maximum 70 young people
• Maximum 10 teams
• Up to 7 Scouts per team
• Mixed teams may be formed if Groups have fewer than seven Scouts

Key Details

• Meeting Point: 28th Sprotbrough Scout HQ, Anchorage Ln, Doncaster DN5 8DT
• Finish Location: Squirrel Wood Campsite
• Dates: Saturday 11 July to Sunday 12 July 2026
• Young People Arrival: 8:30am Saturday
• Collection: Squirrel Wood between 11:00am and 11:30am on Sunday
• Cost: £10 per Scout
• Accommodation: Outdoor camping (Saturday night)

Kit List

Essential Personal Equipment

• Suitable rucksack
• Sleeping bag
• Roll mat
• Suitable walking footwear
• Waterproof jacket
• Waterproof trousers
• Change of clothes
• Sleeping clothes
• Wash kit
• Favourite teddy (optional)
• Black bin bag

Food & Eating Equipment

• Packed lunch for Saturday
• Breakfast to cook on Sunday morning
• Snacks for the expedition
• Full water bottle
• Plate
• Bowl
• Mug (optional hot drink powder if you would like a hot drink in the evening)
• Knife, fork and spoon
• Tea towel
• Washing up sponge
• Up to £10 spending money for the Squirrel Wood Shop

Water and washing up liquid will be provided.

Safety & Navigation

• Personal first aid kit including plasters and an emergency survival bag
• Hi vis vest (can be attached to the outside of the rucksack)
• Pen and paper
• Sun cream
• Sun hat
• Insect repellent
• Group neckerchief (mandatory)

Any young person or volunteer arriving without their Group neckerchief will not be permitted to take part in the event.

Group Equipment

Each Group should provide:

• Expedition style tents (2 or 4 person)
• Leaders’ tent
• One Trangia stove and fuel per team
• One compass per team
• One map case per team
• One group first aid kit per team

Scouts are expected to carry all of their personal equipment throughout the expedition, together with their share of the team equipment, including the Trangia stove, fuel, group first aid kit, compass and map case. Teams should distribute the group equipment fairly between members before setting off.

Tents may either be dropped off at 28th Sprotbrough Scout HQ before the event for transport by the District Team or taken directly to Squirrel Wood by leaders before joining the expedition.

Important Information

• Knives are not permitted.
• Groups must ensure Scouts are familiar with using Trangia stoves before attending the event.
• Leaders will accompany their team throughout the expedition in a supervisory role, allowing Scouts to make decisions, navigate and solve problems independently.

Booking & Payment

• Bookings open: 13 April 2026
• Bookings close: 12 June 2026
• Groups must book online
• Each team must have a named walking leader
• Your Group will be invoiced for all places booked
• Payment should be made by bank transfer before the event

Leader Information

• One leader is required per team (maximum ratio 1:7).
• Leaders may either:
  • Meet at Squirrel Wood at 7:30am to leave vehicles before being transported by minibus to 28th Sprotbrough Scout HQ, or
  • Meet directly at 28th Sprotbrough Scout HQ, Anchorage Ln, Doncaster DN5 8DT at 8:00am.
• Volunteer marshals should meet at 28th Sprotbrough Scout HQ at 8:00am.
• Parking at 28th Sprotbrough Scout HQ is limited. As leaders will finish the expedition at Squirrel Wood, returning to collect vehicles during the event will not be possible.
• The event is delivered under the Nights Away Permit of James Hagyard. The District has submitted the required Nights Away Notification (NAN).
• No additional permits are required from attending leaders.

Risk Assessments

The following risk assessments have been prepared by the District Events Team and are available to download. Groups should review these documents before attending the event and consider whether any additional Group specific control measures or risk assessments are required for their own young people, volunteers and equipment.

• Doncaster Danum Expeditions_July 2026
• Gas Trangia Risk Assessment
• Camp fire RA
• General use of Site RA

Badge Requirements

Following successful completion of the event, Scouts will have completed all the requirements of the Expedition Challenge Award and will be presented with their badge and certificate on Sunday morning. Groups should update OSM to reflect this achievement.

The event also provides evidence towards additional badge requirements. Groups should update OSM where appropriate, subject to the Section Team being satisfied that the individual 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.
• Camper Activity Badge
  • Lead a group of Scouts in pitching, striking and packing a four to six person tent.
  • Find out what to look for when choosing a campsite and decide the best position to pitch tents.
• Outdoor Challenge Award
  • Pitch and strike a tent with others.
  • Show how to pack a rucksack correctly with appropriate kit.
  • Show that you know the safety precautions for using camping stoves.
• Adventure Challenge Award – Take part in an adventurous activity.
• Skills Challenge Award – Wash up after a meal, ensuring everything is clean and dry.
• Team Leader Challenge Award – Successfully lead a Scout team during a camp or all day event.

Key Dates

Bookings now closed