The date for Forward 2025 has not been decided yet.
For more details, you can email the organisers. To receieve all the news about Forward and our other event, Marathon, you can sign up to our Events mailing list here.
You can also have a look at this entry pack from 2023 for an idea of how the event works.
Forward 2022 report and results are at the bottom of this page.
What is Forward?
Forward is CUSAGC’s annual incident hike for Scouts and Guides (10-14s). It takes the form of a ~10 mile hike, with five checkpoints spaced around the route where challenges allow teams to earn points. Three trophies are available to be won; one for Scout Association teams, one for Girlguiding teams and one for chaperoned teams.
Teams are of 4-6 members, with the option of having an additional chaperone to help with navigation (a decision made and arranged by the team’s Guide/Scout Leader). Teams must decide their route based on 6-figure grid references given to them when they arrive at HQ on the day and complete the route within a 7-hour time limit, including stopping at the activity bases to earn points. Start, and therefore finish, times are staggered, the first teams usually leaving HQ at about 8 am, and all are back before dark. In addition to challenges, and completing the route, teams are also given a quiz sheet with questions related to the route and puzzles in order to gain valuable extra points.
Checkpoint challenges require good communication and teamwork, and are often very fun for both the participants and the CUSAGC volunteers running them! The first aid base makes an appearance every year, alongside a whole host of other challenges. In previous years teams have been asked to take part in nuclear disarmament, pitch tents blindfolded, make spaghetti towers, herd sheep, transfer Smarties using straws, tie themselves in knots, copy Lego models whilst blindfolded and much, much more!
Teams are provided with hot drinks at the middle checkpoint and a hot snack and drinks on return to HQ. Trophies are awarded once all the scores are in.
The event is fully risk-assessed, insured and run conforming to SSAGO rules (which are a combination of The Scout Association and GirlGuiding UK’s) on safety and safeguarding. We would be happy to provide details to any interested parties. Landowners, parish councils and the police are always informed.
Where is it held?
Forward is usually held within easy striking distance of Cambridge – e.g. Swaffham Prior (2024), Barrington (2023), Westley Waterless (2022), Comberton (2020), Linton (2019), Toft(2017), Bar Hill (Cambs, 2016), Westley Waterless (Cambs, 2015) Barrington (Cambs, 2014), Balsham (2013), Toft (2012), Waterbeach (2011).
When is it held?
It usually takes place at the very end of February or beginning of March, towards the end of Cambridge University’s Lent term. Forward 2024 took place on the 2nd of March.
How much does it cost?
In 2024 it cost £20 per team with an optional extra charge for badges. The cost can be found in the entry pack for the event.
Can I help?
In short, yes! There’s no requirement for leaders to stay and help but we are always in need of willing volunteers to assist with running bases, driving, cooking, doing admin and control etc. Let us know if you’d like to help!
Forward 2022 Report
This year the Forward Challenge was held on 5th March and was based at Westerly Waterless Village Hall, the venue for the 2015 event. On the day 38 teams consisting of over 200 Scouts, Guides and chaperoning leaders braved the very wet weather to complete the 10 mile hike within hours and were rewarded with hot dogs and doughnuts at the end. The base activities were designed to test team work and communication skills and included a first aid scenario, copying a lego tower with only verbal instructions and rope tying as a team. The halfway way base provided hot drinks as well as its activity of a 2022 themed quiz.
It rained constantly making for some very wet and muddy conditions including one footpath which had turned into a stream, so everyone should be very proud of themselves for taking part. Teams were awarded points based on how well they completed the tasks, their score on the observation quiz as well as their teamwork skills and general behaviour. The overall winners and winners of the Guide trophy were 1st Cambridge Guides, 1st Harston Scouts B came in second place and won the Chaperoned trophy while 11th/9th Cambridge Scouts B won the Scout Trophy.
CUSAGC would like to thank Westerly Waterless Village Hall for the hire of their hall and the all the volunteers who helped at the event. Forward 2023 will be held on 25th February in hopefully slightly drier weather! If you’d like to be added to a mailing list with details about this event please email saglo@cusagc.org.uk
Emma Crickmore and Will Vinnicombe
Forward Organisers 2022