Staff Information
Information for all BPA staff

Introduction

Thank you very much for volunteering to help run this fantastic event! This pack aims to provide the basic information you need to help at 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!

Headquarters Staff

There are lots of different roles at BPA Headquarters, so it's not possible to list all of the details here. If you have not been asked to arrive early to help, or don't have an overnight role (such as breakfast), the please be at HQ for the Headquarters Briefing (see timings below). BPA is in February, so it will be dark, cold and possibly wet. Please be prepared to be outside for at least some of the night.

During BPA you will be responsible for your own wellbeing and the wellbeing of other staff our participants. Emergency medical care will be provided at Headquarters. Please remain vigilant and report any concerns as soon as possible.

There is no need to wear uniform for BPA but all staff should wear neckerchiefs so that we may be identified. Participants should also be wearing neckerchiefs throughout the event.

Zone Staff

Every zone a BPA is different, so when you need to arrive and what you need to do will also be different for each zone. Please discuss plans with your Zone Leader before the event so you both understand the plans. All zones will be primarily outdoors, so please check the weather forecast and be prepared.

During BPA you will be responsible for your own wellbeing and the wellbeing of other staff and our participants. You (the zone team) will provide first aid and additional, emergency medical care will be available from headquarters. Please remain vigilant and report any concerns as soon as possible.

There is no need to wear uniform for BPA but all staff should wear neckerchiefs so that we may be identified. Participants should also be wearing neckerchiefs throughout the event.

Timeline

This is a detailed timeline for the event. We will adhere to this as closely as possible.

Saturday Lunchtime	Zone Set-Up Begins The time set-up begins is up to teh Zone Leader but zones need to be ready to receive teams at 17:30.
16:00	Zone Leaders' Briefing at HQ Zone Leaders to attend this in person.
16:30	Headquarters Staff Briefing Briefing for all non-zone staff.
17:00	Team Check-In Opens
17:30 to 19:00	Teams Arrive at Zones Teams will be taken to the zones by minibus or on foot if close to HQ.
18:30	Check-In Closes Teams must arrive before this time.
19:00	BPA Competition Begins No teams to walk or begin stunts before this time. Please wait for the opening announcement via radio, in case the start is delayed.
06:00	Walking Deadline Please do not release any teams from zones after this time as they will not have time to walk to the next zone. We will notify zones by radio if this deadline is earlier.
07:00	BPA Competition Finishes Teams will be collected from the zones and return to HQ. Teams may not begin stunts after this time but may finish them if they have started already.
07:00 to 09:00	Breakfast and Presentations
09:00	Event Finishes Parents should collect participants at this time.

Driving

If you are driving to, from or during BPA then please consider the safety of participants, leaders, staff, members of the public and yourselves. Traffic at headquarters, particularly during drop-off and pick-up can be very busy; we will try to segregate traffic from participants as much as we can but this is not always practical.

If you have been awake all night then please be especially careful when driving in the morning. You are responsible for ensuring you are fit to drive so please take time to rest during the night if you feel you 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