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What is it: NiteHike is an all-night event to
challenge scouts in their navigation, teamwork and Scout skills.
Scout-led patrols launch out at dusk and navigate through a network of trails,
visiting stations where they test their scout skills.
“The
Magic of Scouting “
will be the Theme for this year’s NiteHike.
To see a powerpoint presentation
on NiteHike, click here
Check out the
article from Sept 2009 Boy’s Life Magazine about NiteHike here!
When is it? 4:00 pm, Saturday, Oct 8th
to 2:00am, Sunday, Oct 9th. Patrols will be able to start checking in
at 2:00 pm and will start at 5
minute intervals beginning at 4:00 pm.
- For safety reasons, we strongly encourage
groups to designate separate drivers who will NOT be hiking past midnight or that the unit plan
to set up tents. This is to ensure
that scouts and adults who participate in the hike are not injured due to an
over-tired driver
Why should my troop/pack want to attend? Here’s some of the
comments from NiteHike:
- “the whole experience
was terrific for the boys.”
- “had a great time and will definitely be there next
year. We really enjoyed running the station, had no trouble finding it,
and had a great space for it.”
- “Here's where SCOUTING REALLY PAYS OFF. When
you get to see Scouts actively work together in a relatively harsh
environment to plan and complete something for others on a rush basis
with very limited adult oversight, and have fun doing it, you know
Scouting works and you remember why you are part of it! I'm looking forward to next year”
- “Had a
great time! The location was great - I am sure there aren't many places
around that are that big and available for this
type of event.”
- “The
boys were perfectly challenged by the trail and stations. I think some stations could be better,
but when there are more of them and less time at each, that will work
out”
- “The stations and events were great!”
- “one fun night of hiking”
- “Thought it was a great event and I think all the
boys from our troop really enjoyed it, both the hikers and the station
managers… Let's do it again next
year!!”
- “A good start to a long tradition. Our troop
is ready to go again next year and that is saying a lot!... It was tough on all the boys and adults. And
this is a good thing, the boys were able to test there skills under a
great amount of stress. And they were able to see what they can really
do! A great eye opening experience.”
- “thanks for a really cool event”
- “It was
simply fun! I gathered that most if not all the scouts loved it, even
beyond staying up all night.”
Who is eligible? 2nd Year Webelos, Boy
Scouts,), and Venturers, Girl Scouts (Juniors, Cadettes and Seniors). Each group signs in
and operates as a “patrol”, accompanied by a minimum of two adult
leaders. We will be limiting attendance to the first 350 Scouts, Webelos, and Venturers who sign
up, with preference given to units that operate a station.
Where
will it be held? Tolt-MacDonald King County Park near Carnation, WA, , approximately 45 minute drive from Kent area.
What does it cost? $10 per Scout/Webelos/Venturer
(adults
hiking with patrols or at stations are free). We will pre-register units to participate
on a first-come, first-served basis and limit participation to the first 350
scouts to sign up. Units after that will be held on a waiting
list. We are requesting a deposit of
$2 per scouts with pre-registration and the balance due on arrival at the
NiteHike.
How will it work? Every scout will participate as a
member of a "patrol". Patrols should have at least 5 to 9
members. They will initially check in at Headquarters, select the level
of difficulty of the course they want to tackle, and be given a Start Time.
At their appointed time, they will return to HQ
and be given a trail map and a score sheet before heading out onto the trail
to navigate their way to 10-20 “stations” scattered throughout the
forest. The level of difficulty determines the level of challenge: the Tenderfoot level has relatively few stations, all of them marked on the map and may be
appropriate for Webelos or younger scout
patrols. The Senior Scout Level has
more stations, but not all of them are marked on the map. Instead, on the reverse side, the scoresheet gives compass directions, distance, and GPS locations for stations,
requiring the patrol to do some map and compass work to reach all of the
stations. This may be appropriate for
2nd or 3rd year scouts.
The AdVenture Level has even more stations,
but few of them are marked on the map, requiring the patrol to show expertise
in map, compass, and GPS—a great challenge for a
Venturing Crew or Varsity Team.
Each station is sponsored by a troop, crew, or
organization and is manned by a group of older Scouts or Venturers.
At each station the patrol checks in (their patrol name, number, and time of
arrival is recorded) and is then challenged by a variety of activities based
on the our theme. The activities will
challenge their scouting skills and test their teamwork—examples include
obstacle courses, first aid challenge, trivia tests, Kim’s games, or knot
races, earning points. Once activities at a station are completed, the
patrol then navigates its way to the next station. Patrols are not
required to complete every station (younger scouts will probably not complete
the entire hike) and may “check out” at any point in the night. Patrols
must check out before departing the Nite Hike.
- An area will be set aside near the Headquarters where patrols may set
up tents—this is “hike in” camping—no cars allowed—so scouts will need
backpacking equipment to reach the camping area.
- Patrols and station crews will receive patches for each member of
their patrol, as well as a ribbon for patrol flag. Members of the highest
scoring patrols, venturing crews, and Webelos dens
will be recognized by special awards.
- All patrol members should have their Scout Ten Essentials, including
flashlights and extra batteries, trail snacks, a mug or cup for cocoa (some
stations may have cocoa), water, hiking boots (not tennis shoes), and good raingear
- For
safety reasons, we strongly encourage groups to designate separate drivers
who will NOT be hiking past midnight. This is to ensure that scouts and adults
who participate in the hike are not injured due to an over-tired driver
Other
Questions?
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