Frequently asked questions

All the information you should need to take part in one of our events can be found in the next event section. Occasionally some teams find that the answer to their specific question is not there. If this is the case please check to see if your question is answered below. If not get in touch.

Where are the events held?
Who can take part?
Which age group should we enter?
Who organises the Apex Challenge?
What activities will there be?
How can I enter?
How will we know you've got our entry?
I'm not going to be able to enter our team on the date entries open. Is it possible to reserve a place?
Will the event be safe?
Is the event insured?
We have someone who would like to take part but they are worried that their disability or medical condition might make it difficult. What should we do?
We'd like to bring catering facilities for our team. Is it possible to have a reduced entry fee?
Is it possible to only pay a deposit?
We can't make it to the event now. Can we have our money back?
What do we need to bring?
When do consent forms get filled out?
Does each event have a different souvenir T-shirt?
Can I bring my dog?
What are the arrangements for leaders attending the event?
What if I lose something at the event? Will the Apex Challenge pay for it?
Why haven't you answered my question?

Where are the events held?

Events are held at a range of locations across the north of England. We always aim to make sure that the events are as easily accessible as possible for teams travelling long distances. Inevitably they are in more rural areas to give us the most suitable areas for our more adventurous activities and at times that means they can be some distances from major motorways and primary routes. Back to top.

Who can take part?

Any Scout who is aged between 14 and 25 on the day(s) of the competition can take part in the Apex Challenge. All our events are run as two separate competitions side by side for the Explorer (14-18) and Network (18-25) age groups. Entry is in teams of four. Back to top.

Which age group should we enter?

We realise that in different areas the transition from Explorer Scouts to the Scout Network is handled differently. We want to make sure that you enter the age group that is most appropriate to you and your group. There are often teams where one or more members of the team are 18 by the end of the competition but they still wish to compete as an Explorer team and that's fine. If you are part of an Explorer group and at least one of you will still be under 17 or under on the last day of the Apex Challenge competition then please enter the Explorer competition. Once all members of your team are 18 we would ask you to enter as a Network team instead. Back to top.

Who organises the Apex Challenge?

The Apex Challenge team is made up of young leaders originally based in Yorkshire who fancy putting a bit back into scouting. The idea is to make Scouting events more modern and exciting. Our main aim is to put on an event we'd have liked to take part in when we were younger, or even still want to take part in now. We work closely with the South Yorkshire county team as a Scout Active Support unit. If you're a leader or instructor who would like to help out, we'd love to hear from you so please contact us. Back to top.

What activities will there be?

This depends on the area we're using as some activities are only possible in certain areas, for example canoeing clearly needs water! We don't like to give away too much in advance to spoil the surprise but from the events we've organised in the past you can expect to have things like climbing, abseiling, canoeing, mountain biking and assault courses. Back to top.

How can I enter?

All entries for the events are processed through the website using an online entry form and payment using credit or debit cards through Paypal. Just visit our next event page where you'll find all the details about what you need to do and when. That page will also show you the date that entries will open for the next event (usually a month before). If you want to be added to our mailing list to get all the latest Apex Challenge news as it's announced then follow the links from the main Apex Challenge home page. Back to top.

How will we know you've got our entry?

Once you have filled in the online entry form and completed your payment details your team name will appear on the event's team list page. Your place is secured. Each event has a fixed number of places for teams and once that number is reached then no further entries will be taken online. Back to top.

I'm not going to be able to enter my team on the date entries open. Is it possible to reserve a place?

We're sorry but no. We have to come up with a system and be fair to everyone so all teams need to go through the same procedure which is to register online from the same date. If we started changing the rules for some teams it wouldn't be fair to the other teams. Back to top.

Will the event be safe?

Safety is, as always, the number one priority. We use qualified and experienced instructors on our activities and regularly work with the local mountain rescue teams when planning our events. The consent form of every competitor is thoroughly checked at the start of the event and we have a paramedic-led first aid team on hand throughout. We also follow national procedures for conducting DBS checks on adults helping with Apex Challenge events. Back to top.

Is the event insured?

As part of the Scout Association, our events are covered by a policy which includes personal accident and medical expenses insurance and public liability insurance. However there is no insurance in place for loss or damage to competitors' equipment or clothing. If you would like to insure for such eventualities, it is advised you get extended cover on your home insurance, or ask your Scout group about UK camp cover from Unity Insurance.Back to top.

We have someone who would like to take part but they are worried that their disability or medical condition might make it difficult. What should we do?

We aim to make the Apex Challenge as inclusive as possible and a wide range of young people have taken part in our events in the past. The event rules can be adapted for young people with specific additional needs to be able to join us. For example, we can assist with catering requirements, or finding ways for those with behavioural or physical difficulties to compete. Please contact us for details. Back to top.

We'd like to bring catering facilities for our team. Is it possible to have a reduced entry fee?

Catering is provided at all our events. Teams often need to bring a packed lunch for one of the days but the rest of the food is included within your entry fee. Unfortunately it would become too complicated for some teams to opt out and cater for themselves. Our menus are carefully planned to take account of the number of people taking part and the fact that they will have had a busy day taking part in some strenuous activities. We will also make every effort to cater for special dietary requirements. We always recommend teams bring extra snacks with them and if you also wish to bring extra cooking facilities then please do. Back to top.

Is it possible to only pay a deposit?

Unfortunately not. We need full payment for a team wishing to take part in the event to cover both their entry fee and any T-shirts ordered. This is the only way to secure a place in the event. This is because if teams booked a place but then pulled out we will have spent money based on how many we thought would be turning up and may have then also turned away another full-paying team who've missed out on the chance to take part. Back to top.

We can't make it to the event now. Can we have our money back?

Entry fees to Apex Challenge events are generally non-refundable. However, if we are able to find another team to take part in the competition in your place, we will be able to give you a refund. This obviously depends on how close to the competition you pull out and whether other teams are able to take advantage of a last-minute place. Back to top.

What do we need to bring?

A full kit list for each event is published on the next event pages once entries open but you'll need all the usual stuff you'd take on a long walk in open country including waterproofs, warm clothes and walking boots. Your team will also need camping equipment (tent, sleeping bags, mat etc) which can be left in place at event centre throughout the competition. You'll also need to bring snacks for the weekend and for some events a packed lunch for one of the days. Back to top.

When do consent forms get filled out?

It's a bit bureaucratic, but these things are important. After you've entered a team make sure you visit the consent form page which is available on our next event pages to download forms for all your team members. These need to be filled in and signed by parents/guardians of competitors under 18, or just filled in and signed by the competitors themselves if they're 18 or over on the first day of the competition. They then need to be handed in at the registration desk when you arrive. Back to top.

Does each event have a different souvenir T-shirt?

We design one T-shirt each year and when we hold multiple events in that year the same T-shirt is available at each of them. Back to top.

Can I bring my dog?

It depends on the event. Well behaved dogs are usually very welcome at the Apex Challenge but we must follow the rules of each of the sites we use. Please see the pre-event information for more details.

What are the arrangements for leaders attending the event?

While some teams attend on their own, many group leaders also come to Apex events and are very welcome. You may just want to relax and unwind while we do all the organising, but if you’d like to help out there are many cool jobs we may ask you to get involved in from helping with activities, to photography, or joining the catering team. If you can help please contact us before the event. Back to top

What if I lose something at the event? Will the Apex Challenge pay for it?

All competitors are responsible for their own possessions throughout the events. Please avoid bringing valuables with you. While we endeavour to return any ‘lost property’ we find to its rightful owner, we can’t accept responsibility for any lost or stolen personal items. Back to top