The 2025 Night Hawk challenge is on Friday, 4 October.
Email queries to events@hnscouts.org.uk.
Night Hawk Challenge
Night Hawk Challenge is for Scouts aged 11.5-13 and Explorers aged 14-17 years on the date the event starts. The challenge comprises a Scout route and a longer Explorer route, with teams aiming to navigate from checkpoint to checkpoint with the least number of catches by the Hunters.
Registration
Registration is not yet open. The cost is £12.50 per entrant, non-refundable. Joining instructions will be sent in the week before the event, including the Team’s registration time. Teams will be booked in from 20:00 in the night.
Rules
The winner in each category (Huddersfield North and non-Huddersfield North team for each of the Scout Route and Explorer Route) is the team that reaches the finish during the specified times with the least catches, and in accordance with all other rules. A catch will be applied as described in these rules and additionally when:
- a team is caught by hunters or fails to stop when requested by hunters
- failure to contact Event Control when required
- splitting up
- failure to display hi-viz jackets (provided) at front and rear of party when walking on roads
Teams will be ineligible to win the relevant trophy if:
- more than half of the members that started do not finish
- they have opened their emergency pack
Team make up
- Teams must start with between four and seven members
- If a team becomes smaller than three members due to retirements it will be required to form a composite team with another team at a checkpoint in order to continue
- Any team with two or more members aged 14 or over will walk the Explorer Route
- Teams with adult/leader support are not eligible for a trophy in competition with teams on the same route without adult members
- Teams members to walk within sight of each other at all times
Kit and equipment
Equipment will be scrutinised on a random basis at registration and during the event. Penalties for missing equipment and kit will be issued in the form of catches (or in some cases by a team becoming ineligible to win a trophy or immediate disqualification/retirement).
Each team must carry at all times during the event:
- Two (2) laminated OL1 Ordnance Survey Maps (we will accept paper maps when paired with proper map cases)
- Two (2) silva type compasses
- Event emergency pack (provided at registration)
- One (1) mobile phone with WhatsApp and What3Words installed, and the number registered with the event
- One (1) fully-charged power bank (for mobile phone)
- One (1) Catch Tally (issued at registration)
- One (1) Sleeping Bag
Each person must wear at all time during the event:
- Necker
- Personal Event Tally with participant number (issued at registration)
Each person must wear or carry at all times during the event:
- Walking boots with ankle support (trainers and approach shoes are not acceptable)
- Waterproof coat and waterproof over-trousers
- Two (2) warm jumpers
- One (1) pair of non-denim trousers
- Two (2) pairs of socks (one worn, one spare)
- Hat
- Gloves
- Torch
- Whistle
- Survival bag
- Notepad and pencil
- Mug and spoon
- Drink and snacks
- Emergency rations
- First Aid Kit
Participants are recommended to bring a change of clothes and footwear in a named bag, so they can get changed when they finish the hike.
Support roles
Night Hawk Challenge requires a large adult volunteer support team to ensure the safety and success of the event. The roles involved are list below. All adult volunteers must register here.
Hunters: the hunters work in small teams to track and catch participating Scout and Explorer teams. This role is largely done on foot working closely with the Hunter Coordinator to ensure hunters are working in the right areas. The hunters also provide a key safety aspect to the event, by being in the vicinity of the hikers at all times. Ideally, hunters take part for the first half, second half or whole of the event.
Checkpoint teams: the checkpoint teams set up and run the checkpoints that are the waypoints on the route that teams are navigating between. This role involves setting up canvas, providing simple catering, checking hikers in and out and communicating with event control. Checkpoints would ideally have at least three people, meaning there is someone looking after catering, someone admin and someone to liaise with event control. The commitment is usually around 3-4 hours at varying times during the event.
Minibus drivers/teams: we often use minibuses at the start of the event to take teams to a start point. We then use minibuses during the event as part of the safety procedures to transport any retiring hikers back to the event base, and to provide support in case we have to end the event early.
Base team: the base team is responsible for the welfare of teams and participants at the start, if the they retire and then after they have finished. They provide basic catering, first aid and liaise with event control around the welfare of retired participants. The base team can help for a few hours or the whole event.
Control team: the control team is led by the Hike Controller and responsible for monitoring the movements of participants and teams, recording their progress on the route and coordinating issues as they arise. This is usually a whole event commitment.
Scrutineering team: scrutineers help at the start of the event, checking participants and teams are carrying the equipment stated in the rules and informing event control of any missing items so this can be accounted for in the scores. This is usually about a 2 hour commitment.
Admin and registration team: this team support the event before the night and handle registrations for around 2 hours on the night.
Safety team: works with the Event Safety officer to ensure the event runs safely on the night. This is usually a role that requires a whole event commitment.
