Leader Information
Information for unit leaders thinking of bringing teams to BPA

What is BPA?

BPA is an annual, overnight, multi-activity adventure hike in Norfolk for Explorer and Network Scouts, to celebrate the birth of our founder Lord Robert Baden Powell.

It’s challenging; each team must complete a walk of around 30km (19 miles). There are zones along the route; at each zone, teams must complete challenges to win points. Points are awarded for leadership, teamwork, completing challenges, arriving and leaving the zones and for conduct throughout. There are also checkpoints along the route where more points can be picked up. Finally, all this must be done in only twelve hours!

Where & when?

BPA will take place on 15th & 16th February 2025 in North West Norfolk. Full details of exactly where to meet on the night will be sent to registered units closer to the date. This secrecy helps to keep the event challenging!

Timings for the event will be as follows:

17:00 to 18:30	Team Check-In Teams begin to arrive at BPA Headquarters, check-in, go through kit check and travel to their starting zones.
18:30	Check-In Closes: Teams must arrive before this time.
19:00 to 07:00	BPA Competition
07:00 to 09:00	Breakfast and Presentations
09:00	Event Finishes Parents should collect participants at this time.

The Route

The structure of BPA varies slightly each year but there will be a number of zones, each providing challenging stunts lasting around 15 to 20 minutes each. The zones will be dotted around a route, approximately 30km (19 miles) in length, utilizing footpaths and roads; providing a variety of walking conditions.

Booking

Unit leaders will need to visit scoutsbpa.org.uk to book teams for BPA. The booking system will allow leaders to enter the names and email addresses of their team members. The participants can then be invited to complete their permission form online and print a PDF copy to be signed and brought with them on the night. Without a signed permission form, participants cannot take part in the event. There is also the option for leaders to complete full participant details themselves if preferred.

Leaders can then allocate their participants into teams. Each team must consist of between four and six participants. If you do not have enough participants to make a team, do get in touch as there may be other units in the same situation. Please note there is a maximum number of team spaces for BPA, depending on available facilities, and places are awarded on a first come, first served basis.

Please contact booking@scoutsbpa.org.uk if you experience any difficulties with the website or your booking; the booking team will be happy to help.

Cost

The cost to take part is £10 per participant. Please make cheques payable to Norfolk County Scouts and write the team names they relate to on the back. Units may choose to take in payments and then make a single payment to Norfolk County Scouts.

Please send payments to:

BPA,
Norfolk Scouts County Office,
Eaton Vale Activity Centre,
Church Lane,
Eaton,
Norwich,
NR4 6NN.

Scoring

There will be several areas where BPA teams can pick points up. Points will be awarded for completing stunts at the zones, for completing stages of the route and for visiting checkpoints along the way.

Points may also be awarded or deducted for conduct around the route and at the zones. Many of the zone locations have residents around them and the aim is for teams to behave in a sensible, quiet manner in these areas. Deductions will be made for items of equipment not carried by teams. Note however, some items on the kit list are essential and teams will not be allowed to enter the event without them. Points may be awarded or deducted for other reasons as deemed fit by the event organisers.

How Can I Help?

Fancy getting involved? We are looking for a number of volunteers to:

• Assist with check-in on Saturday from 16:30 to 19:00
• Set-up or assist with a zone and activities
• Drive a minibus
• Man checkpoints along the route

Please contact the staff team at admin@scoutsbpa.org.uk or visit scoutsbpa.org.uk to volunteer.

Further Information

With general queries about the event, please contact the Event Leader at admin@scoutsbpa.org.uk.

If you have a query about booking teams for BPA, please contact the booking team at booking@scoutsbpa.org.uk.

You can stay up-to-date with the event at scoutsbpa.org.uk, by following us on Twitter (@scoutsbpa), on Instagram (scoutsbpa) or by finding us on Facebook (Norfolk Scouts BPA). Please get involved by sending us a tweet or using the hash-tag #scoutsbpa.

Rules

Here’s a brief overview of the rules for BPA:

1. Each team must consist of between four and six participants.
2. BPA is open to all Explorer and Network members of Norfolk Scouts. Teams from outside the county may be accepted at the discretion of the Event Leader.
3. There is a maximum number of team spaces for BPA, depending on available facilities. Team spaces are awarded on a first come, first served basis. Subsequent team requests will be put onto a waiting list should team spaces become available.
4. If, for whatever reason, a team drops below four participants during the event, they will not be allowed to continue to walk. We will however, aim to pair them up with another team so they may complete the course.
5. If items are missing at Kit Check, individual participants or whole teams may be prevented from participating in the event. This is at the discretion of the Event Leader.
6. In the event of BPA being cancelled before it has started, the team contact will be notified and asked to forward on the message.
7. In the event of BPA being halted overnight (e.g. due to bad weather), teams will be transported back to the nearest indoor location. Pick-up will remain as originally directed.
8. The Event Leader reserves the right to send home a participant at any point deemed necessary.
9. An InTouch contact must be provided for each team and they must be available throughout the event. We will only contact the InTouch contact after midnight in extreme circumstances.

Kit List

Participants will require all of the equipment on the list. If items are missing, they may be refused entry to the event on the grounds of safety. Please ensure you have the required kit, to avoid disappointment.

Team Equipment

Each team must have the following:

• Pencil and paper
• Two compasses
• Two OS Explorer maps of the correct area (to be confirmed before the event)
• Two map cases
• Whistle
• Small first aid kit
• Box of matches (ideally waterproof)
• Survival bag (orange style)
• Two emergency foil blankets
• Lightweight stove, fuel and pans (mess tins are ideal)
• Mobile telephone with a fully charged battery
• A red torch (for use when walking on the road)

Personal Equipment

Each participant must have the following:

• Necker (to be worn during the event)
• Walking Boots (trainers or wellies are not appropriate)
• Socks (thick wool socks and thin inner pair are ideal)
• Trousers to walk in (jeans are not appropriate)
• Base layer (a warm thermal top or other wicking material)
• Mid layer (fleece top or other thick, warm garment)
• Waterproof jacket with hood
• Waterproof trousers
• Warm hat (wool or fleece ideal)
• Gloves (waterproof if possible, or other thick, warm material)
• A complete change of clothing in a sealed bag
• Timepiece, such as a watch or mobile phone
• Torch with fully charged batteries
• Rucksack (of appropriate size to contain all kit)
• Full water bottle (approximately one litre)
• Sealed emergency rations (chocolate, sweets etc.)
• Dehydrated soup, hot chocolate or similar for emergencies
• Plastic or camp mug
• Sleeping bag and roll mat (to be left in a bag at the start, with your name on)
• High-visibility vest or jacket