This week is the second week of a three week event: Navigate to Knowle

  1. Last week the route was planned
  2. This week will see the teams complete the route
  3. Next week the teams will make an assessment of how they got on as a team and how the individuals performed within the team.

Sounds simple and the route is short but it is navgationally tricky and even more so in the dark. Each team will need to be alert and will complete the route as that team, led by the team captain (TC) with the Young Leaders helping to provide advice and assistance where needed. The team members will take their part by learning the navigation techniques and helping to transport the team eqiupment that would be used as if this was a two day overnight event.

Adult leaders will be at various points around the route to check the progress of the teams and provide assistance where necessary.

Each team will be scored on their preparation for the event, navigation, leadership of the TC’s, participation of the team members (TM’s) and overall approach to the event. Prizes to the best prepared and performing team at Knowle Chip Shop.

The instructions for the event this week are detailed, please make sure to read them all, as follows:

Start point and drop off – 7pm

The route will start from Barston, NOT Bickenhill. The drop off point is St Swithins Church car park – click this Google Maps link for location. The car park is 50m to the east of The Bulls Head pub in Barston, on the opposite side of the road.

All members need to be dropped off by 7pm so that we can do the final briefing and checks before the teams set off.

IF YOU AREN’T GOING TO ATTEND WE NEED TO KNOW AT LEAST A DAY BEFORE!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This is a time limited event – we have a lot to do, it is difficult to do in the dark and we don’t want to be waiting for people who aren’t going to turn up. Additionally, we need to make sure the teams are balanced and fair with all the team senior members in attendance. As it is a TEAM event and everyone is in a TEAM and has an important role in that team, everyone needs to take part. However, if you aren’t going to take part WE NEED TO KNOW AS SOON AS POSSIBLE SO WE CAN MAKE ALTERNATIVE ARRANGEMENTS and don’t waste time after 7pm waiting for those that aren’t turning up. Please let us know by replying to this email or emailing simon@challengeadventure.org – thanks for your assistance!

End point and pick up

The end of the route is Knowle Chip Shop. Provided all members arrive at the start on time we stand a good chance of having everyone at the finish point well before 9pm.

Kit List

This is a short training event designed to simulate a two day overnight event – the following list is a minimum that you must bring though. You must have WATERPROOFS. That doesn’t mean ‘showerproof’, but WATERPROOF. You must have walking boots or very sturdy shoes that can get covered in mud and water. Waterproof shoes are preferable, such as boots though.

If you need to get equipment, some suggestions for you:

  • Go to Oswald Bailey in Solihull – they will give you 10% discount if you mention you are with Challenge Adventure Group (ask them to put it down as a scout discount if they look confused).
  • If you need to buy boots: don’t spend a fortune! You will be able to get a very reasonably priced set of boots that are sturdy and not too padded. The spongy cheap padded boots will rub so don’t buy these either. Get leather uppers if possible, they will be more waterproof and last longer. You don’t need boots specifically for this event but sturdy shoes that will get wet and covered in mud are a requirement.

This is a training event for the whole team and needs to be treated as an actual overnight event. Therefore the following needs to be in the rucksack / bag of each member.

You MUST carry the following:

  • Rucksack to carry your items
  • Underwear x 1
  • Socks x 1
  • T shirt x 1
  • Sweatshirt or fleece (preferable)
  • Warm Jacket
  • Hat
  • GLOVES – ESSENTIAL
  • Torch & Spare Batteries – ESSENTIAL. Please make sure it works before the event.
  • Spare plastic bags for dirty / wet clothes
  • Personal First Aid Kit
  • Waterproof Jacket
  • Waterproof Trousers
  • Water bottle with liquid in it.
  • Food to eat during the event.

You must wear the following:

  • Walking boots & walking boot socks
  • Long lightweight activity trousers, such as scout trousers
  • Wicking undershirt??
  • Fleece or Sweatshirt – NOT A HOODIE!!!!!!! It will soak up all the water that is around the wearer.

You should be able to get all these above items into a small back pack such as a school back pack. However, there will be lots of team kit to carry as well, if you have a larger back pack please use it at your team needs to get all their equipment as well as everyones personal equipment to the end point.

CAG Rucksacks: we will not be loaning these out for the event.

Naming Items:

Please make sure all of your items are suitably marked or named so that you can reclaim them. We always have items of clothing left over that probably amount to over £100. If they are named we will be able to get them back to you. Call Simon on 07808 481688 if you have any questions.

Any questions??

That’s all the detail, if any one has any questions please let us know – otherwise we will see you Tuesday at 7pm in Barston!

You will note from our letter to you earlier this term that we are encouraging all members to purchase a CAG fleece sweater and activity trousers for use during the term.

These are great value items that are warm, hardwearing, quick drying and will bring a greater sense of team spirit that we are working hard towards this term.

The items are available from our store at www.challengeadventure.org/shop – you only place your order online and the payment can be brought to the next CAG meeting.

We are forwarding all orders to our suppliers early next week so this weekend is the last chance this term to place orders. Please make sure to place your order before Monday morning!!

We are having a one to one surgery to help all D of E participants get your awards started and finished. You need to bring your evidence of progress and reports if you have finished a section. If possible, please bring them electronically (USB memory stick). We will get them up loaded to your E D of E account and work out how to get you to the finish of your award.

Everyone else – the weather is wet, please make sure to bring appropriate clothing in case we go outside.

Let us know if you have any questions.

A quick reminder to everyone that we are back as normal for the new term from this evening.

We’ve got a lot to do, lots of new members and a big activity for the evening so please arrive in advance of a start at 7pm. We will be outside all night – don’t forget clothing for the cool weather and your CAG shirts must be worn!!

Can the new members coming for the first time and the Young Leaders please arrive shortly before hand at 6.45pm if possible.

Looking forward to seeing everyone later.

Welcome back!

We hope you have had a great summer and are looking forward to the new term at CAG. We are staggering our start back for various year groups so that we can get new arrangements for the running of the evenings in place. The start dates are as follows:

  • Sept 11th, 7pm – 8pm: Years 11, 12, 13 only. It is very important that everyone in these year groups attend.
  • Sept 18th, 7pm – 9pm: everyone as usual from this point onwards.

Car Sharing to Bickenhill

We have a lot of new joiners starting this term – welcome to you all. As a result car share rotas may need re-arranging to get everyone in to a share. If you need help setting up a car share for people in your area or aren’t in a car share and would like to find one to join, please let us know and we will do our best to assist.

Letters, Program and Forms

Over the next week or so we will send you the following items:

  • Program for the term: this will come to you via email and will have the entire program for the term in it. It is quite full, lots going on, but it also might change from time to time. If it does, we will send you updates via email.
  • Permission form for the term: this is issued each and every term and provides us with up to date details about parents and members that can be used in the case of an emergency. This will come to you in the snail mail and just requires you checking the details, signing and returning on the first night back at CAG with your membership cheque for the term. If your mailing address has changed since April 2012 please tell us your new address by replying to this email – if we don’t have your latest mailing address we can’t send the forms to you.

That’s it! If you have any questions please let us know.