Participant Information
Thinking of coming to BPA this year? Here’s all the information you need

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.

What do I need to do?

Practice	Make sure you can read a map and plot bearings. You might want to go for a long walk if you’re not used to the distance. If you haven’t been to BPA before, ask for advice from someone who has.
Find a Team	Teams must consist of between four and six participants.
Pack	Make sure you have all the gear you need for the event; it may be cold and wet so be prepared! In particular, you must have everything on the Kit List below.
Book	Your unit leader will need to book your team into BPA but they will need some help from you.
Permission Form	Without a signed permission form, you cannot take part in the event. More information about booking using the online system will come from your leader. Once your place is booked for BPA, the online system will generate a permission form which you will need to print, have signed by a parent or guardian and bring with you to the event.
Work Together	Many of the BPA points are awarded for teamwork, leadership and conduct, so bear this in mind and give your team the best chance.
Follow Us	You can stay up-to-date with the event at scoutsbpa.org.uk, by following us on Twitter (@scoutsbpa), on Instagram (instagram.com/scoutsbpa) or on our Facebook page (facebook.com/scoutsbpa). Please get involved by sending us a tweet or using the hash-tag #scoutsbpa.
Enjoy	Above all BPA is great fun, so come along and enjoy it!

Will the event be safe?

Safety is the number one priority and we use experienced and suitably qualified leaders to run activities. First aid is on hand throughout the event and all participants must pass a kit check at the start of the event to ensure they are fully prepared to take part. Reflective vests will also be worn by all participants throughout the event.

More Questions?

Speak to your unit leader, they have been given further information and can contact the organisers if they need to.

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