County Expedition Challenge
County Expedition Challenge
A chance for Scouts to take part in their expedition challenge or to undertake a practice hike.
Dates: 15th May to 17th May 2026
The Surrey County Expedition Challenge is an annual event to provide Scouts from across the County with the opportunity to undertake an expedition to meet the requirements of the Expedition Challenge Award.
It is a two-day activity in the form of a lightweight hiking and camping expedition (very similar to the Duke of Edinburgh’s Bronze Award expedition). Scouts will plan, hike, camp and cook for themselves over the weekend. A team of judges will score their efforts and grade performance and, for those participating in the competition element, decide on the winning team. The event is open to both competition teams (who hike on their own without adults) and those supported by adult leaders (training teams who are younger or less experienced). Progress during the hike element is monitored by use of checkpoints manned by adults. It is not an incident hike but scouts will be assessed at checkpoints. Water re-fills will also be provided at checkpoints.
The training teams are intended to be younger scouts. As such, they are not required to carry their equipment whilst hiking, but the equipment should nevertheless be lightweight (so no patrol tents, 10kg gas bottles running multi-ring stoves etc). Leaders can offer support to training teams but the intention is that the scouts do as much for themselves as possible. Training teams will need to have a DBS cleared adult/leader to hike with them.
The overall objectives are to encourage teamwork, resilience, resourcefulness and a sense of achievement in the Young People who participate. It also aims to encourage their development in outdoor activities as well as an opportunity to have fun.
Key documents (links will go live closer to the time)
Expedition Challenge 2026
Permission to camp 2026
Team entry form
Sally Rogers / Quentin Vaughan
County Programme Team
Heron Wey Guide Campsite