In March 2026, Scouts from 2nd Braintree & Bocking Air Scouts proudly took part in the Essex County Backpack – Incident Hike, experiencing their first taste of one of the county’s most challenging and rewarding Scouting events.

County Backpack is far more than just a long walk. It brings Scouts from across Essex together for a competitive weekend that tests navigation, teamwork, planning, and resilience—while creating lasting memories along the way.

What Is County Backpack?

County Backpack is a structured competition where Scout teams carry everything they need for the weekend while navigating between a series of bases. Each base presents a different challenge, with points awarded for planning, accuracy, teamwork, and problem‑solving.

The weekend begins on Friday evening, when teams arrive and plan their Saturday route card, which is assessed and worth up to 20 points. After planning, teams spend time bonding and preparing before the challenge begins in earnest.

At 9:30am on Saturday, teams set off on foot. The first base includes a kit check, ensuring everyone has the essential equipment needed to complete the hike safely.

Navigating the Bases

After completing the first base, teams choose which base to head to next and complete a new route card. Navigation plays a huge role, with Scouts using maps to travel across roads, woods, and fields to reach each location.

Each base includes a challenge marked out of 10 points, and these scores determine the team’s final placing. Bases were located in a variety of places, including Scout halls, churches, and schools, making timekeeping vital. Arriving late could result in point deductions—or worse, organisers coming out to look for overdue teams.

A Full Weekend of Scouting

On Saturday, teams continued completing bases until 5:00pm, the deadline for returning to HQ. After checking in, Scouts returned to their campsite, cooked dinner, and planned their route for Sunday. Unlike Saturday, Sunday’s base could be chosen by the team, giving Scouts more responsibility and control over their plan.

Throughout the weekend, Scouts carried a full hiking rucksack containing essentials such as:

  • Water bottle
  • Personal first aid kit
  • Saturday lunch and emergency food
  • Waterproofs
  • Spare socks
  • Whistle

This ensured teams were fully self‑sufficient at all times.

Our Team’s Experience

2nd Braintree & Bocking Air Scouts entered the Novice Division and completed:

  • 3 bases on Saturday
  • 2 bases on Sunday

For a first‑year team, this was a fantastic achievement. The Scouts worked hard preparing route cards, navigating accurately, completing challenges—including a cooking base—and supporting one another throughout the hike.

At the end of the weekend, the team finished 32nd overall, a result everyone was proud of given it was their first County Backpack event.

Looking Ahead

County Backpack 2026 was an unforgettable experience for 2nd Braintree & Bocking Air Scouts. It challenged the team, built confidence, and strengthened friendships—all while putting core Scouting skills into real‑life practice.

The group is already looking ahead to returning next year, stronger, more experienced, and ready to push themselves even further.

Well done to all the Scouts who took part—and to the leaders who supported them every step of the way.