Apex Challenge

Apex will be back

2020-10-02T15:40:00.012+01:00

This isn’t how this weekend should have been. Hundreds of us should be running round the Bramham Park estate, completing as many activities as we can, cramming together in a marquee filled with music and flashing lights and sleeping under the stars in our tents. And right now there’s nowhere else we would rather be than there.

It feels really strange getting to the start of October and not being at the Apex Challenge. It’s a big part of our year and we know it’s the same for so many of you.

It’s still really hard for us to plan for the future. None of us know what’s going to happen with coronavirus, but we are determined that when it’s safe to do so, Apex will be back.

Our 2021 event is due to take place from 1-3 October at Bramham Park in West Yorkshire. We really hope by then that everything can go ahead as planned and we really hope that as many of you as possible can be there.

We are all still living with some form of restrictions. We know some of you are living in areas with even tighter rules than others. Wherever you are, keep in touch with your Scout groups in whatever ways you can over the next few months, stay safe and look after yourselves.

Apex will return.

Look back at our 2019 event with our annual report

2020-07-12T20:40:00.001+01:00

Like any other charity we have to publish an annual report each year where we add up what we've spent, explain what we did with the money and give an idea what we have planned for the next 12 months.

And so here it is - the Apex Challenge annual report for 2019.

It reviews what we did to plan for what turned out to be our muddiest ever event and looks ahead to the brilliant event we were planning for the autumn of 2020.

At the time we began writing this report, how different the world looked. We were hoping to be getting together again in October at Bramham Park. And then coronavirus happened.

So it's strange to be publishing this report now when it all feels so out of date, talking about an event that seems a lifetime ago.

What hasn't changed is our determination to bring the Apex Challenge back for us all to enjoy once all this is over. It's just now clear that won't be in 2020, but 2021 instead.

We are sorry to announce the cancellation of our 2020 event

2020-06-16T01:09:00.003+01:00

We are really sorry to announce our decision not to go ahead with the 2020 Apex Challenge in October as planned.

We have been closely monitoring government health and safety advice concerning the coronavirus pandemic, and had been getting things ready for teams to sign up from later this month.

Public health is of paramount importance to us, particularly the wellbeing of everyone who takes part in the Apex Challenge and all our volunteers. It is now clear that for this reason we cannot go ahead with the event.

Scout groups are still unable to meet in person, so it would be very difficult for many to get their teams together. And it would be too hard for us to commit money to booking all the things we need to stage the event without knowing if social distancing restrictions will lift enough to allow the weekend to go ahead safely.

We had really hoped that Apex would be something for us all to look forward to in these difficult times. Hopefully it still can be, even though we will now have to wait a little bit longer to enjoy getting together once again.

Our next Apex Challenge event will now take place on the 1-3 October 2021 at Bramham Park near Leeds. Get the dates in your calendar now and we’ll look forward to seeing you next year!

Planning for Apex during the coronavirus outbreak

2020-05-13T17:57:00.000+01:00

These are unprecedented and unpredictable times. But the Apex Challenge has always been about working as a team, overcoming challenges and looking out for each other. So that’s exactly what we’re all doing together now.

Our next Apex Challenge event is scheduled for 2-4 October, and we are still hopeful that the event will take place which is why we have now published details of our next event online including plans to open entries from 27 June.

No one can be sure what the future holds, and we can only wait to see how this difficult situation develops over the coming months and respond in line with all the government safety advice and rules.

If we can run the event safely, the Apex Challenge will be taking place.

The safety and health of all our competitors and helpers is of course our primary concern, and we will be closely monitoring and adhering to all government guidelines and rules.

So we are continuing to plan all the activities, and entries will be opening as normal. Please do enter your teams as normal. If we do need to cancel or postpone the event, everyone will receive a full refund.

We hope you are all keeping safe and well - and we really hope we will see you all in October.

Working as a team during the coronavirus outbreak

2020-03-22T16:04:00.000+00:00

The Apex Challenge has always been about working as a team, overcoming challenges and looking out for each other. All of this is exactly what we need to do together now.

Many Scouting and other adventure events have had to be put on hold while everyone does their bit to protect those most at risk during the coronavirus outbreak.

We'll be ready with one hell of an Apex celebration once we're in a position to do so.

In the meantime, keep looking out for each other, and those who need help the most.

And following the great guidance from Scouts UK, try to enjoy #TheGreatIndoors as much as you can.

See you all soon.
The Apex Challenge Team.

Wet weather warning for this weekend

2019-10-11T11:37:00.000+01:00

We are really looking forward to welcoming everyone to this year’s Apex Challenge later. Unfortunately the weather in the last couple of days has been wetter than we would have hoped and the conditions in places are quite challenging as a result.

Our Event Centre and camping field currently has some patches of standing water. The rest of the ground is also quite wet under foot. We want to make sure everyone travelling to the event is prepared for this as much as they can be.

We would strongly encourage everyone coming on site to bring wellington boots with them, particularly for use around Event Centre.

It will also take us longer to park vehicles on site when you arrive this evening. We will have marshals out to guide drivers to a suitable place to park and offer advice on driving through any patches of mud.

The good news is that there is a long spell of dry weather in the forecast so conditions should improve during the weekend, though we are expecting more rain on Sunday so we also anticipate it taking longer to get vehicles off site.

While conditions are not what we would hope, we also know we are still going to have a great weekend. There are three days of great activities planned and we are determined to make the best of it!

Have a safe journey here and we look forward to seeing you later.

Four days till Apex - what you need to do!

2019-10-07T10:10:00.000+01:00

There are now just four days to go until Apex lands at the exclusive Ampleforth Estate in North Yorkshire. You need to make sure you're ready for this ultimate adventure weekend.

Before you set off

Make sure you check all the information online so you know what to bring, when to arrive and where you are going. All the details are on the Apex website.

Event details - full information about the weekend including when to arrive
Kit list - check off what you need to put in your bag
Directions - the last thing you want to do is get lost so print a copy out!

This year we also want to do our bit for the planet and reduce the number of single use cups we get through. Please bring a reusable mug with you.

Consent forms

Most important is that EVERYONE arrives with a consent form filled in. Download your consent form now. It doesn't matter if you are Explorers or members of the Scout Network - you still need to complete a form and bring it with you. We also need all leaders who are on site to complete an adult information form too. These are available to download on the same page.

When you arrive

Unload your car, then head to Event Centre to check in. Remember, you can only check in when you have consent forms for all members of your team, so if one of you will be late send it ahead with the rest of the team!

If your Scout group has several teams, please come and sign in as individual teams of three or four people rather than a large group with all your different teams mixed up together.

We can't wait to see you all for a great weekend of adventure!

2019 T-shirt design confirmed

2019-09-29T23:25:00.000+01:00

The design of this year's Apex Challenge T-shirt has been confirmed after a vote on our Facebook page chose the colour for the exclusive design.

The front of each T-shirt uses 15 icons to try to illustrate what happens on a typical Apex weekend. On the back will be the name of each team taking part.

T-shirts are available to pre-order for £8 until Wednesday 2nd October at 8pm. Some spares will be available at the event but stocks will be limited so it is better to pre-order so you don't miss out.

Time running out to enter next event

2019-09-26T12:48:00.000+01:00

There are just a few days left now to enter your team in the next Apex Challenge competition which takes place on the weekend of 11-13 October on the Ampleforth Estate in North Yorkshire.

You only have until 8pm on Wednesday 2 October to sign up for one of the remaining places. After that time entries will be closed so make sure you don't miss out and sign up as soon as you can. That is also your last chance to make sure your team name is on this year's T-shirt.

We will be revealing more about the event in the coming days. It is one you don't want to miss with some great activity bases confirmed for Saturday so make sure you are there.

Entries need to close before the event to give us enough time to get everything ready including printing all the exclusive T-shirts which will have the name of every team taking part on the back.

Vote open for colour of 2019 T-Shirt

2019-09-24T01:23:00.001+01:00

The online vote has now opened to decide the colour of the 2019 Apex Challenge T-shirt. The choice this year is between a blue and brown design which uses 15 icons to tell the story of a typical Apex weekend.

You have until 8pm on Sunday 29 September to go to the Apex Challenge Facebook page where you need to click to like the photo with the design of your choice.

Make sure you pre-order your T-shirts for just £8 each when you enter your team for the event which is now less than three weeks away.

Enter your team now for Apex 2019

2019-07-07T17:00:00.000+01:00

Get your team together and sign up now to take part in the 2019 Apex Challenge. This year we are taking the competition to a brand new location - the exclusive Ampleforth Estate near York. We want you to join us on the weekend of 11-13 October for three days of adventure you don't want to miss!

It's quick and easy to register your team. Just go to the online entry form, fill in your details, pay your entry fee using a debit/credit card and that's it! In just a few minutes your place in this year's competition is guaranteed.

If you're new to the Apex Challenge you can read more about the event to get an idea what to expect and why not look back at our most recent event which took place at Bramham Park in West Yorkshire last year to see what sort of things you and your team might be doing.

2019 event date and location confirmed

2019-04-22T23:38:00.001+01:00

The date and location of the 2019 Apex Challenge has now been confirmed. The event will take place on the weekend of 11-13 October at a brand new location in North Yorkshire.

For the first time, the competition will be held at Ampleforth College in North Yorkshire. There are extensive grounds which will be perfect for hosting three days of adventure.

Make sure you have the date in your calendar and we will soon announce more details on how you can enter your team to take part in Scouting's ultimate adventure weekend.

Latest annual report reviewing 2018 event published

2019-04-09T13:09:00.002+01:00

Every year we look back at what the Apex Challenge has achieved in the past 12 months. We highlight the successes and the things that could be made even better in the future. It's all contained in our latest annual report which we are now ready to publish.

So what did we achieve in 2018? We returned from a year away with fresh enthusiasm and new ideas to make Apex an even more unforgettable weekend than ever before. We had new activities and a new location which had never been used for our full weekend event before. Saturday night's new glow party was made even better with a fantastic new band and seeing so many smiling faces at the end of the event shows it will be remembered for a long time to come.

Apex doesn't come cheap and the report shows how the event was staged at a cost of around £15,000 and with the help and support of some 170 people.

As we begin making plans for our 2019 event, looking back at last year is really important so take a read and look forward to our new Apex adventures which are currently being planned. Details coming soon!

Apex 2018: Amazing adventures at Bramham Park

2018-10-14T19:04:00.004+01:00

The muddy gear has been washed, the kit packed away and looking back at the 2018 Apex Challenge at Bramham Park it was, quite simply, the best event we have ever staged. Not even a bit of rain and overnight frost could take the shine off three fantastic days of adventure which saw almost 100 teams compete for the honour being named this year's Apex winners.

We have taken Apex to Bramham Park before, but this was the first time we had staged a full weekend event there and the location certainly did not disappoint. The prestigious estate gave us an impressive backdrop to fill with some of our most memorable activities. Teams went canoeing, mountain biking and axe-throwing and who knew that building lego houses and transporting team-members around an obstacle course while blindfolded with only a survival bag to help could be so challenging?

Add to that a fantastic performance from The Epics at our Saturday Night Live party night, complete with neon glow paint and a superb Adventure Race course on Sunday morning, this was an event that truly did have everything and you can re-live the action now online...

Event report - find out more about which bits you may have missed
Full results - how did your team's route compare to others?
Results by gender - a new leaderboard ranking which all-female, mixed and all-male teams scored highest
Adventure race timings - which teams completed Sunday's 4K route the fastest?
Facts and figures - look at which activities and control points got the most visitors.
Photo album - literally hundreds of pictures capturing the weekend's highlights
Team simulation - see if you can work out which dot represents your team's route

Winning T-shirt design announced

2018-09-21T00:31:00.000+01:00

The votes are in ... the numbers have been counted ... and you've officially chosen maroon as this year's Apex Challenge T-shirt.

It's the first year that the date and location of an event have been featured on the design and also the first time we have included the names of every team competing, which will be printed on the back of the T-shirt.

Make sure you order yours when you enter your team. Remember entries CLOSE at 8pm on Thursday 26 September.

Vote for this year's T-shirt colour

2018-09-14T12:52:00.000+01:00

This year's Apex Challenge T-shirt will, for the first time, feature the name of every team taking part in the event. And YOU have one week to decide what colour T-shirt the new design will be.

On the front of the T-shirt is a diamond design which also features, for the first time, the exact date and location of the event.

On the back is the name of each team taking part in the event. (The team names on the design shown above are from 2016 for illustration only.)

But would you prefer a maroon T-shirt or a chocolate brown T-shirt? The choice is yours ... head to our Facebook page now and click "like" on the T-shirt you prefer. You have until 8pm on Thursday 20 September to vote for your favourite!

31 Things About Apex: A new T-shirt for your Apex weekend

2018-08-31T09:25:00.000+01:00

Every year there's a new Apex T-shirt to add to your collection.

Pretty much everyone else is wearing them and it's a great think to keep to remember what a great weekend you had.

The 2018 design is still under wraps but it'll be revealed VERY soon.

31 Things About Apex: Trying something new

2018-08-30T09:36:00.002+01:00

There will be some things you have done before and they will be great to enjoy doing all over again.

But one of the really great things about Apex is the chance to do something new and hopefully find another activity you would like to enjoy again and again.

So much is packed into the three days that you are bound to find something there which you haven't seen anywhere else before.

31 Things About Apex: Spotting the team that's really on it

2018-08-29T09:48:00.000+01:00

Some teams come to Apex just for a fun weekend but some others are more competitive and you can often spot them before you even set off.

They'll be working out their plan of what to and when. They'll be synchronising their watches. And they'll be setting off at a real sprint.

Chances are by the end of Sunday afternoon they'll be near the top of the leaderboard and might even win. Look out for them!

31 Things About Apex: Having your team's electronic tag

2018-08-28T09:31:00.000+01:00

You need to spend your weekend working as a team but at each stage of the event, one person has slightly more responsibility than any other.

As you set off from event centre you'll have your team's electronic tag fixed to your wrist and you need to make sure it doesn't fall off and get lost.

Your tag collects all your points from the event and it's really satisfying every time you place it in a control and see the lights flash and it hear it beep to show you it's registered.

31 Things About Apex: Finding yourself in hundreds of photos

2018-08-27T10:04:00.000+01:00

Throughout your three days at Apex, everything you do is caught on camera by a team of photographers.

By the time you leave on Sunday afternoon, literally hundreds of their pictures will be online for you to like and share on social media.

Scroll through the album and you're guaranteed to find yourself, even if you didn't spot the picture being taken in the first place.

31 Things About Apex: Turning up in fancy dress

2018-08-26T09:54:00.000+01:00

When you're planning a tough weekend of outdoor activities, you need to make sure you've got all the right kit, especially the right clothes.

Despite that, it's amazing how many teams decide to stash their warm base layers and waterproofs in the rucksacks and set off in some fairly elaborate fancy dress.

There have been minions, fluorescent tutus, smurfs, super heroes and head-to-toe lycra jump suits, to name just a few.

31 Things About Apex: Chasing a giant parrot

2018-08-25T09:38:00.000+01:00

Let's not pretend this is anything other than fantastically random ... chasing a giant escaped parrot.

Certainly don't ask why you're doing it, just accept that you are and remember that if you catch the parrot you get LOADS of Apex points.

And how do you find the parrot? Certainly not by listening out for it squawk - because this parrot TWEETS ... on Twitter that is!

31 Things About Apex: Getting wet and muddy

2018-08-24T09:39:00.000+01:00

You've got to be ready for any conditions at the Apex Challenge because you never know where you will end and what you will end up doing.

The activities can get pretty messy but that just adds to the excitement of doing them. But it does mean there's a good chance you will end up wet and muddy.

You might start off the day thinking you will try to stay clean and dry but by the end of it, the adrenaline kicks in and you stop noticing!

31 Things About Apex: Rocking out to a great band

2018-08-23T09:27:00.000+01:00

Apex might be three days of adventure but non-stop action is fairly tiring - which is why Saturday night is about taking time out.

Over the past few years we've got the party started with some really great bands playing some really big songs.

The music's loud, the lights are flashing and there's plenty of space to show off your best dance moves.