Forward
Forward 2012 will be held on SATURDAY 3rd March, starting in Toft, Cambs. Scroll down for more information, or download the entry pack. The deadline for entries is 22/2/12.
What is it?
Forward is CUSAGC's annual incident hike for Scouts and Guides (11-14s). It takes the form of a ~10mile hike, with five checkpoints spaced around the route where challenges allow teams to earn points. Two trophies are available to be won; one for Scout Association teams and one for GirlGuiding UK teams.
Teams are of 5-6 members, with the option of having an additional chaperone to help with navigation (a decision made and arranged by the team's Guide/Scout Leader). Teams must decide their route based on five 6-figure grid references (corresponding to the activity checkpoints) given to them when they arrive at HQ on the day and complete the route as fast as possible, stopping at as many of the checkpoints as they can to earn bonus points. Start, and therefore finish, times are staggered, the first teams usually leaving HQ at about 8.30am. In addition to challenges, and completing the route, teams are also given a sheet of puzzles to gain important extra points which they can complete during the walk, while waiting to start a challenge, or when they return to HQ and have time to spare.
Checkpoint challenges require good communication and teamwork, and are often very fun – for both the participants and the CUSAGC volunteers running them! There is usually at least one 'outdoor' themed base, the ever-famous first aid base, as well as a whole host of silly-but-fun challenges! In previous years teams have been asked to take part in nuclear disarmament, pitch tents blindfolded, make spaghetti towers, herd sheep, transfer Smarties using straws, tie themselves in knots, etc!
On the middle checkpoint, teams are provided with hot drinks. The day ends with a light snack back at HQ – quite often hot dogs – and a short presentation of trophies to the winning teams. All team members receive a certificate of participation.
Where is it?
Forward is usually held within easy striking distance of Cambridge. The 2012 one will be based at the People's Hall in Toft, 6 miles west of Cambridge. In 2011 it started and finised in Waterbeach and went via Lode, whilst in 2010 it was based in Histon, with the most distant base at Longstanton.
When is it?
Forward 2012 will be on Saturday 3rd March. It usually takes place at the very end of February or beginning of March, towards the end of Cambridge University's Lent term. Forward 2011 was on Sunday 6th March.
How do I find out more?
First of all, download the welcome and entry pack for Forward 2012. This includes a welcome letter for Leaders, an entry form, and another letter for parents which can be used if the Leaders wish. Many details are in here, but more will be posted on this page as they become available, so keep checking back for information, or e-mail forward [at] cusagc.org.uk. The deadline for us to receive entries is Wednesday 22nd February, but do act fast as places are limited! Once we have received an entry, we will give confirmation and forward final details of location and start times, plus kit lists and health/consent forms, as soon as we can. The entry fee this year will be £16 per team (of 4-6), which covers our kit and hall hire expenses and hot drinks and a snack in the evening (but not lunch).
Forward 2011
Results
Congratulations to 28th Cambridge Scouts Zulu and 7thCambridge Guides A for winning their respective categories, and to everyone who took part! Full scores are available here (in pdf format).
Photos
Report
Forward 2011 was a ten-mile hike for Scouts and Guides around the fens to the northeast of Cambridge, between Lode and Waterbeach. Run by Cambridge University Scout and Guide Club, the route involved 5 manned checkpoints with challenges to complete, and had to be completed within seven hours. As ever, turnout was excellent, with 34 teams (over 150 people) taking part from all over Cambridgeshire.
Activities ranged from the traditional first aid incident to the more unusual (tying knots round trees without going within a certain distance of the tree and pitching tents blindfolded.) Teams gained points both for their ability and teamwork on these challenges and their observation of features around the route.
The weather was generous, although at one base it apparently seemed that the sun came out only when teams were there. There was a fairly wide range of scores among the teams, but it was still quite close at the top. Our congratulations go to 28th Cambridge Scouts Zulu and 7th Cambridge Guides A who won their respective categories.
We are grateful to the Waterbeach Scouts and Guides for the use of their hut, and to all the leaders and helpers who made the day a success. Forward will happen again next year; in the meantime, BREAM & CuBAA, the craft day for Beavers, Rainbows, Cubs and Brownies will be sometime in early May and the Marathon Challenge for all Scouts or Guides over 14 (including leaders) is in early November - contact saglo [at] cusagc.org.uk for more details.
Tim Talbot CUSAGC SAGLO 2010-11